Gautier Paulin Interview

Team HRC rider Gautier Paulin has proven time and time again he is a quality rider. MXoN moto and class overall victories are just the crumbs of what he really wants, and that is an MXGP title to his name.

Picking up his 11^th GP victory last weekend in Valkenswaard, at the Grand Prix of Europe the Frenchman looked as good as he ever has. Still well down in the points race after five rounds Paulin knows that the hard work isn’t over and he needs to continue to produce top quality performances to catch red plate owner Max Nagl.

“It was a perfect weekend with a qualification win and winning both moto’s of the Sunday,” Paulin said. “The track wasn’t too tricky, and I managed to ride it well and get two good starts.”

Despite showing brilliance in Valkenswaard Paulin is hoping the struggle with his new bike and poor run of results are over.

 “You know, it’s been a difficult start to the season. Not everything was going well and I couldn’t put anything together, so I was waiting a little bit. We put in a lot of work and we did hours and hours of testing to get to this point. Sometimes it was the bike and sometimes it was me. Sometimes I went in the wrong direction and sometimes we made good progress in testing.”

Known as one of the most beautiful riders to watch, Paulin is more interested in getting his form into place for winning GPs. He knows once he is riding at his best level major points will come his way.

“Sometimes I would prefer to finish second and ride well, but sometimes you can win a grand prix and actually not feel so good. Of course the goal is to win, but sometimes it is better to feel good with your riding. I want to just concentrate on my riding.”

Seeing his arch-rival Antonio Cairoli struggle wasn’t something Paulin enjoyed, although he did enjoy catching up to Cairoli in the points battle.

“To see it on paper feels good. That I was able to make up so many points on Antonio, but nobody wants to see a rider crash, so I was no so happy about that. The motivation to be racing here (at the same circuit that cost him his 2014 assault), I don’t need any motivation for that, I have motivation enough. This was the place that caused the end of my season in 2014, and I hope it is now the start of my challenge to the MXGP title.”

Paulin will now move onto the Grand Prix of Spain, and the Talavera circuit. A circuit that he didn’t race in 2014 due to his injury from Valkwenswaard, but a circuit that should suit his style.

Photo: Honda Pro Racing