Arminas Jasikonis interview - Winner

Posted on April 18, 2019

When we talk about MXGP, we usually talk about riders who have a lot of experience and are around the age of 25 years old. Sure, while Tim Gajser is just 22, and Jeffrey Herlings is 24, but in general, many of the leading MXGP riders are veterans.

Lithuanian, Arminas Jasikonis, who is into his third year of MXGP action is just 21 years old, and the performances by the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider really shows how much potential he has.

Holding down fourth place in the MXGP championship points and having finished top five in four of the eight motos run, it is clear, the Husky rider has positioned himself well as we move into the fifth round of the championship in Mantova in a months’ time.

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A victory last weekend at the opening round of the Dutch Masters of Motocross has been a highlight of his career, and we had to catch up with him and ask him about his season so far.

MXlarge: Firstly, congratulation on your win last weekend.

Jasikonis: First, thanks. It was a smooth weekend, winning every single session and a positive boost for myself. It was a great day. We had worked hard the weeks before and we didn’t have much rest, but it was a great day.

MXLarge: I can imagine your confidence must be really high at the moment. You are fourth in the World championship and have had some really good rides. After last year when you were a privateer rider and had a tough year, did you ever wonder if it would get like this?

Jasikonis: Last year I gave it everything, but with the injury and with the bike not being set up well, it was just a struggle year for me. In the end I had another injury and it took a long time to come back. Changing to Husqvarna, we did a lot of work, and even coming into the season and the pre-season races, it wasn’t great, but slowly we stepped it up, but for sure this isn’t the end, we have our goals even higher. We are making little steps every time we get on the track and my confidence is better every time.

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MXlarge: Obviously MXGP is tough and as you know from last year, if everything doesn’t go your way, you can instead of being fourth, you can be 20th. Do you think last year has made you stronger and given you more appreciation for racing in a factory team?

Jasikonis: Yes, of course. I feel super lucky to be in a factory team, it was such a bad year, but it proves Antti doesn’t look at the results, but he looks at the potential of the rider. I am very thankful he gave me this chance. So many riders, good riders, who don’t have a ride. Also, many teams pulling out, so I am really lucky. Step by step we are proving that Antti didn’t make the wrong decision and that I am capable of running at the top.

MXLarge: As I said, your confidence must be improving, and your results are improving. Do you think about getting closer to Cairoli and Gajser, because those guys are on another level at the moment?

Jasikonis: Yes, after the last race they are a level up, but that is the goal to catch them. I am in that group just behind them, and in these weeks, we have off from the GP, we are working hard to get closer. They are stepping up, so we have to step it up also.

MXLarge: What do you need to change to get to that level?

Jasikonis: Everything has to start from the beginning. You need to be with them in the start and it isn’t easy to follow them, but you need to learn how they choose lines and they way they keep the flow. I think first of all you need to learn that and not do stupid things and go home and learn your lessons.

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MXLarge: I can imagine the race in Oss last weekend and the next round of the Dutch Masters will be perfect preparation for Mantova the next GP?

Jasikonis: Yes, for sure. It is really good for the physical condition and also the gate drops and practice your starts. It also takes away the stress, because more races make you more comfortable.

MXlarge: You are known for being better in the sand, is that an honest opinion of you?

Jasikonis: I don’t know. Everyone says I am better in the sand, but even hard pack, like in Matterley I had a fourth place and in Arco I had a fifth in the second moto. It was not like Gautier and Tonus were pulling away from me. I think in the sand I can step it up, even if I get a bad start I can come back, as I showed in Valkenswaard, so I guess I am still better in the sand, but we are working hard on the hardpack to get better.

MXlarge: I understand from riders that Antti can be very tough, and strict as the team manager. I talked to Antti earlier in the year and he mentioned you are also like that. So, it must be a good combination?

Jasikonis: Well, as a team manager, as much as I have been in GP, he is so far the best. It is great being in the team, and he can be hard at some moments, but if you want to be at the top, you need to be hard. When we need it, he is pushing us, but that is necessary, otherwise you are not going to become a good rider. He is strict, but he is a really nice person and I see that now for six months. He is strict but a nice guy and it is nice and professional, and I have learnt so much from him. He put me in another level with my physical condition and he is great. He is giving 100% and I am giving 100%, that is why we improve.

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MXlarge: As many people do, I follow a lot of sports, and you see the good team managers, or coaches, are the ones who invest into the athlete, care about them and are really interested in them. I guess what you are saying about Antti is that he is like that also?

Jasikonis: Yes, for sure. If the team managers cares, that makes a difference and that is 100%. He takes care for so many things for me, and that makes it easier for the rider. All I have to do is work hard and the rest comes. That makes a difference when your manager cares for you. It makes you want to push even harder. If a manager doesn’t care, it makes it hard.

MXlarge: What are you plans now until Mantova in a months’ time?

Jasikonis: We will do the next round of the Dutch Masters and then work really hard, hard preparation. We want to show up at the GP and make another step.

JP and Husky images