Defending MX2 world champion, Pauls Jonass is a winner, lets get that straight from the start. His motocross life has been about winning titles, from his 2011 85cc Junior world championship, to his 2013, EMX125cc and 125cc Junior world championship, and most importantly, when he stepped up to the big boys, his MX2 world championship.

With that type of pedigree, its not a surprise that he is a heavy favourite to add to that success in 2018, when the best MX2 riders in the world take up the challenge in Argentina in early March.

At just 21 years of age (he turned 21 last weekend), it feels like he is a veteran in the MX2 class, however, despite all his success and GP wins, he isn’t a lot older than most of his rivals, or in some cases younger.

We caught up to the Red Bull KTM Factory rider and talks about his success and his hopes for 2018.

MXlarge: It’s been four months or something now since you were crowned world MX2 champion, and I remember at the time you said it hasn’t really sunk in. Four months down the track, how does it feel now?

Jonass: It’s a bit the same. It is a monkey off my back. I have been working for this all my life and its been my dream since I was a boy, for a long, long time. I had a lot of pressure on my back at the end of the season. Now I can be more relaxed and do my work and I will do my best to defend my title.

MXlarge: So, I guess it is a goal achieved and maybe something you will enjoy more later in life, maybe when you are a lot older?

Jonass: I think for sure, because we are racers and we all want to win, and until now I haven’t thought about it too much, just working. I think for sure when I finish racing, then I will sit back and understand what I have done.

MXlarge: So, you stopped working with Marc (De Reuver), and things have change, now you work with Harry (Everts). Can you first explain why that happened, because you seemed to have a good relationship with Marc?

Jonass: With Marc it worked really good and I enjoyed working with him, but at the end of the season I sat down with my dad and manager and we just decided what we needed to change and what I need to improve. One of the things I needed to change was I needed to be more independent with the riding, because Marc taught me and helped me a lot, and I am really thankful for that, but maybe sometimes it was too much, like I had to ride that line, or this line, and I needed to be more independent in that. Then came the opportunity to work with Harry, and with Suzuki pulling out, and Harry became available. I have worked with Harry at KTM and I know him many, many years and I like his way of working. He also lives in the same village as me and I am really happy with how it’s going.

MXlarge: We all know Harry, and love him, and he is one of the really good guys in the paddock, and also a four-time world motocross champion, but he is from a totally different generation. Is it because he can bring peacefulness, or is he just very wise. What can he teach you?

Jonass: You know, when I first started working with Harry, he has already taught Stefan (Everts) who won 10 world championships, he also has four world championships of his own, he has so much experience. The biggest thing he can help me with is mentally, because he knows how its done. That was the main goal, but still my physical trainer (Willy Linder) is also from that generation, but you know what, motocross has grown a lot, but you still just need to twist the throttle and go fast on the track, the basic things haven’t changed. Those guys know how it is done. Since starting to work with him, what surprised me the most is how motivated he still is, he still wants to help so much.

MXlarge: I also guess you are travelling a lot and away from your family a lot, and I guess Harry would be the perfect father figure away from home?

Jonass: Yes, for sure. I have family outside my home, my mechanic, who is also from Latvia, my physical trainer Willy, now with Harry, before with Marc. I really need that type of situation, those type of people around me, a good atmosphere and a family feeling, because I am almost never home.

MXlarge: MX2 in 2018 is a totally different look than in 2017, well, some of the names are not different, but they will have improved a lot in the winter. Guys like Jorge (Prado), Hunter (Lawrence), and some others. You are a bit like the old man in the class now, or the veteran. How does that feel for you?

Jonass: Yes, actually I do, but I am only 21 and I am almost a veteran there. It feels a little strange, I did two full seasons in MX2 and this will be the third one. I have a lot more experience than the other guys and as you said, there will be good guys, like Jorge and Hunter, but I also think Olsen and Covington will be good, many good guys who can win a GP or a moto. It will be tough, but I will make sure I will be ready for the challenge.

MXLarge: Hunters performance at the MXoN. He had a good 2017, it was a bit up and down, but what did you think of that MXoN performance?

Jonass: I was at the MXoN, and I watched the race. He was riding very good and I know Hunter is good in those conditions, when it is muddy and deep ruts, he is good on tracks like that. It was nice to see him ride there. The most important thing for 2018 will be like last year, be consistent and not make any big mistakes. Last year one guy could win a moto then get 14^th in the second moto, so its all about being consistent.

MXlarge: How is the new bike?

Jonass: Yes, KTM came out with a new factory bike, and its very good, in fact it seems to be good in many different areas, like the chassis, the suspension, the engine. I really like the bike and I have been on it for three months now. It’s the full package.

MXlarge: Last question, what are you plans now heading into Argentina?

Jonass: I have been in Spain, first riding near Barcelona for a week, and now in Redsands. A few days in Spain, then back to Belgium in the sand, then Sardinia for the photo shoot and also the opening Italian race, then I will do Hawkstone Park, and also Lacapelle Marival, then it’s almost time to go to Argentina.

Ray Archer images