Cedric Soubeyras interview - UK and USA

Posted on November 17, 2019

Defending Arenacross champion Cédric Soubeyras goes into the 2020 series excited and confident he can again perform at the level to take yet another championship. After a solid year in 2019, the French supercross specialist knows that the competition won’t be easy in the 2020 Arenacross series, and will head into round one in Belfast looking to start strong.

With races in Barcelona, Geneva and a couple of French championship rounds prior to the start of the UK based Arenacross series, you can be sure Soubeyras will be more than ready. Once he gets the Arenacross out of the way, he will head to America to contest most of the East Coast supercross rounds. We caught up with him and talked about his Paris supercross performance and the Arenacross series, not to mention his plans for America in 2020.

MXlarge: Obviously you are the Arenacross champion, how much does this series mean to you being the champ?

Soubeyras: My two first years in AX were full of ups and downs. So, it was like a roller coaster every single weekend. Then I started to be more consistent and focus and it worked out pretty well in 18 and 19. Since I learned how AX works I started liking this championship.

MXLarge: Will you again do both classes, or just the 250 class? Why do you come to your decision and what made you want to do both classes in 2019?

Soubeyras: I love racing 250, specially the Husqvarna 250 FC. This bike is that strong that I can play even more than on my 450. I took the choice to make again the Arenacross 2020 on a 250. I am at a point in my career that I put my pleasure first. And every time I take my bike, I have a huge smile on my face, and this is the most important for me.

MXlarge: You rode Husky last year. Can you give your opinion in the team you will race for in 2020?

Soubeyras: This going to be the First-year racing Arenacross for the ASA United Husqvarna team and I will try my best to bring their bike on top. Jack Brunell will be my teammate and I think we can work together to try Wining the team championship. They really seem as motivated as I am, and we will have the support from Husqvarna UK, and this is important at this level of racing.

MXLarge: This is your fourth Arenacross tour now. What have been the highlights and low points up until now?

Soubeyras: Actually, this going to be my fifth-year racing AX. My first year I guess was my lowest points. I lost the title at the last final after leading the championship for so long. We had trouble all year long with many other riders, so it was difficult to stay on the bike. Now everything is behind, and I prefer not thinking about this. I also lost the championship in 2017 at the last final, we were leading the championship with my teammate and we both crash and Ramette got champion again at the last final. My favourite highlight is for sure Wembley 2018. It was a redemption for me. I was finally AX champion after the last main event.

MXlarge: In Paris you were close to the top guys, and ahead of many of the leading European Arenacross guys. Can you explain your Paris supercross for me?

Soubeyras: I always put my goal so high for Paris Supercross that I’m not really looking where are my Arenacross opponents. I did a great Paris SX, I’m Happy about my result and I’m sure this race always help me to get more speed. I really wanted to get a top 5 on one of the main events but I only reach a 6th place on one of the Sprint. I have no regret; I pushed my maximum.

MXlarge: Having that advantage over a lot of the European SX guys, does that give you more confidence for the Arenacross series?

Soubeyras: It should bring more confidence, but all those guys are so fast on smaller tracks. Arenacross finals are also shorter. So, we can’t compare. The fight will be awesome again in 2020 I am sure.

MXlarge: How has your current season been so far and what else do you have coming up in the next few months?

 

Soubeyras: My season has been good so far. I got the Pro Hexis Supercross title and I’m leading the French supercross Championship. We are in the last month of the season, I am focused and ready. We have Barcelona SX and Geneva SX coming against some American guys again. Then Lyon and Amneville for the last two rounds of the French championship.

MXlarge: Battling with Greg Aranda again in the UK. How do you look at that battle and what is your opinion of Greg as a racer?

Soubeyras: Greg is a friend; we know each other since we started racing together in the same championship. Our parents were friends, so we know each other so well. He is a tough guy but always fair. If you are clean with him on the track, he will be clean with you. I like it this way.

MXlarge: The British public seem very similar to the French supercross fans, low and excitable. What is your opinion of the British fans and also how do they compare to other countries fans?

Soubeyras: I really like British fans. They are pushing so hard behind the brits but as well behind us. They like big battles and they used to take me as a rock star when I was getting in trouble every weekend with riders. They like head to head as well (laughing). For sure it’s one of the best crowds it’s always so loud, I love this atmosphere.

MXLarge: Entering the European supercross season, can you name maybe your top five races you really look forward to doing and why?

Soubeyras: My favourite stays Paris SX, the biggest in Europe. Huge track, long motos, two nights, and many Americans.  Second, I would say Geneva, almost for the same reason as Paris SX. And the after party. Third, I would say Newcastle, soft ground, always really technical on the ruts. I won almost every single race I did there. Fourth, Clermont Ferrand SX Tour, it’s an outdoor race in a huge stadium. Love this place. Fifth, La tremblade SX, it’s probably the biggest outdoor race in France. I love this place; we are close to the beach as well.

MXLarge: Which Arenacross rounds do you enjoy the most?

Soubeyras: Like I said, Newcastle used to be my favourite. I also really like Birmingham, biggest stadium of Arenacross.

MXLarge: Have you decided if you will again do some AMA Supercross races in 2020?

Soubeyras: Yes, I will do almost the complete East Coast Lite championship. We are trying to get things together with my French team. It’s hard at the moment to get help from Husqvarna in US. So, we will probably send our bike from Europe. Hard to organize but we are pumped, and we will do it.