Pauls Jonass - 2020 Start

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory rider Pauls Jonass is struggling, and it is going to take a big change in his results to dig himself out of the position he is in as the series returns soon. Down in 13^th place in the MXGP points standings isn’t where the Latvian wants to be, and no doubt, with some time on his hands until the next Grand Prix, the Husky rider will be working hard to get back amongst the major points.

In the white sand of Valkenswaard, a little over a week ago, it was a 13-12 score for 12^th overall, and a result that frustrated the former MX2 champion.

“It’s been another frustrating weekend for me,” Jonass said. “I know my speed is good, but I don’t have too much to show for it. The conditions were really tough, but it’s been like this a lot during the winter, so it wasn’t like I was struggling or uncomfortable or anything like that – I just didn’t stay upright. Crashing together with Tonus in the first race was frustrating, finishing outside the top 10 certainly wasn’t what I wanted. In the second race I was really focused on being calm in the opening laps and letting things settle down before pushing hard. My crash was just one of those things, I got the front wheel into one rut, the rear in another, and went down. You drop so many positions with a crash early in a race like that. Getting back to 12th was good but I really feel I can do much better. My speed is good, I just need to remove the mistakes.”

At the opening round of the MXGP championship at the Matterley Basin circuit, Jonass went 12-36 for 18^th overall, a horrible start to the season, a season he expects to be a contender.

“Clearly, it’s not been the weekend that myself or the team wanted, but we’ll move on from it and focus on next weekend’s GP. I know I’m capable of a lot better than what we got this weekend. The first race wasn’t what we wanted but the crash in race two was a big one. It could have been really bad, so we move on and look to get things back on track next weekend.”

So now, it is at the training tracks that Jonass will try and work on some things that didn’t work out in England and Holland and come back in some weeks’ time with the mind-set to put him where he really should be.

Photo Copyright: Husqvarna