Ken De Dycker is a very easy going, happy guy. A young Belgian simply looking at enjoying his racing and trying to make a career out of something that comes rather easy to him. Having raced for teams such as Sarholtz Honda, CAS Honda, Teka Suzuki, Monster Energy Yamaha, LS Honda, and now the Red Bull KTM Factory team he knows a little about the passage to the top.

It has been the lessons of life and experiences that have made De Dycker one of the truly interesting characters of the FIM World Motocross Championships. His long legs and strong build make his riding style look so different from many of his competition and it seems everyone loves watching the friendly Belgian race.

While many look at Antonio Cairoli as the man to beat in the 2013 FIM World MX1 Championship quietly and in his own way De Dycker is preparing for what he hopes will be the standout season of his career.

De Dycker who has worked closely with Cairoli in the off-season, practicing a lot and learning along the way he knows that improvement is a necessity otherwise the little Italian will walk away with his seventh World Motocross Championship.

The tall Belgian joined the Red Bull KTM Factory team in 2012 and quickly came to terms with the orange machine. Scoring podiums finishes and fifth in the season ending standings. While a top five finish is impressive, De Dycker started the season without any preparation on the KTM having changes from the LS Honda team just weeks before the season started.

The question is can De Dycker learn enough from the little master to enter 2013 with enough improvement to try and win Belgium their first World Motocross Championship in six years.

We caught up with Ken De Dycker as he was preparing for the season in Rome.

Motocross Illustrated: Ken, how is the off-season training going? Have you been doing a lot with Antonio?

De Dycker: Most of the time we do things together, riding the bike and we can learn a few things and we are pushing each other while training and riding, even now more than last year. I think for both of us it is a good thing and for me seeing him riding and how easy he does it makes me want to also try doing it that way. Training we push each other and one day I won't like it when I follow him or go faster.

Motocross Illustrated: Antonio is an easy going guy and I know you are also. How do you two get on together?

De Dycker: We get along well, we go eating together, do fun things together and that side of the Motocross racing its good, I mean you are alone on the bike, but if you can help each other and get along well it is much better for the team and also for the people around the team.

Read the rest of this interview below in our FREE e-magazine Motocross Illustrated.