Matiss Karro interview

Matiss Karro hasn’t had the best of starts to the 2014 MXGP Championship, although the Latvian rider is for sure capable of causing some surprises. Holding down 17^th place in the MXGP series points it’s been a season of so much prospect, but so little return as the KTM rider has shown good speed, but crashed on many occasions.

Karro who has 54 points to his name, started the season with six points in Qatar but this was due to a machine problem.

“I felt really good, the team was working hard on the bike this year in the winter and the first GP’s were good. We had some problems with the bikes, but we sorted that out. I need to sort out my riding to get good results in both motos. In Qatar the bike broke in the opening moto, and the second moto I took the holeshot, which surprised me. The bikes are running really good this year. I didn’t end the race that well, but it was ok.”

The second round in Thailand and his speed was again there, but an accident that wasn’t his fault saw him again struggle to put together two good motos.

“In Thailand I had a bit of a problem in the qualification race and Sunday I had to start from the outside. First race I had a first turn crash, bent the bike up, the bars and the exhaust. The second moto was okay, but I struggled with the warm weather.”

Off to Brazil and once again Karro causes a sensation as he was close to the front in the opening moto, but those silly little crashes cost him again.

“In Brazil the first moto I almost holeshot, but crashed and finished 20th, second moto I was second of the start, and finished in 10th I think, which was a good result for me. It was my first step towards my goal. Italy wasn’t my type of track and I got two top 15 results for 13th overall, which was my best result.”

Fortunately at Bulgaria a little under two weeks ago Karro showed he could run inside the top ten and his lap times were consistent enough to see him finish among the major points.

“In the qualifying race in Bulgaria I felt good, but crashed out which left me with the last gate pick for the main races. In the first race I didn’t feel great and I just rode an ok race for 14th. In the second race, the track was really bad, the sort of muddy slippery conditions which I don’t like but I was going good in the early laps and started to feel confident. I found some good lines and made some passes to get to 8th behind Waters and Nagl and I thought I would stay behind them for a good finish, but Nagl started to make mistakes and I passed him and then caught up with Waters. I passed him for 6th but we both went for the same rut and went down and then the front brake stuck on and I crashed twice and only just managed to finish. Sometimes I ask why it always seems to happen to me just when I am going to have a great result but I know I rode good which gives me confidence for the next race.”

Now onto Valkenswaard this weekend where Karro will try and continue his progress up the MXGP points ladder.