Xavier Boog Interview

The 2013 season was not a good one for Frenchman Xavier Boog. Boog was injured after a crash during the GP of Finland and was forced to miss the remaining of the GP season. Two ligaments in his right knee were damaged, which meant his season was over. However, the mental scars of the injury made it tough for Boog to gain confidence in the early part of this season.

Slowly though, he is coming good and is now eighth in the MXGP series points with 96 points, just 11 points off seventh placed man Todd Waters who is now out for the season.

“It wasn’t a good start to the season. But it is coming better. I think my results in the first few rounds had something to do with my confidence. After my accident last year I was lacking confidence, but slowly it comes back.”

In Bulgaria two weeks ago Boog scored 6-11 for seventh overall. It wasn’t the perfect performance, but considering the conditions of the second moto, when rain made it a lottery, he did well.

“I like Sevlievo, it is a circuit French riders usually do well on. For sure I was pleased with how the first moto went. I had a good position on the gate and my initial jump was also good. Because the start is so tight here it can be tricky as well and I lost some places. But my riding was okay, a lot better than during the qualifying race on the Saturday, so it felt good to pick off some riders and I came 6th.

“The second moto was a bit frustrating honestly. I knew there was something to be done in those conditions but to fight without goggles made it much more testing! Either you come too close to the rider in front of you and you get mud in your eyes, or you risk leaving too big a gap so that it messes up your rhythm. But all things considered it was a positive weekend, certainly for my position in the championship.”

Now it’s onto Valkenswaard for the likeable Frenchman and another chance to work his way up the series points. While French riders don’t always enjoy the sand circuits, Boog is very open minded about what he expects from Valkenswaard.

“I like to ride everywhere and I don’t need to think about the track, just go for it. My goal at the start of the season was to be top ten, and make some good results, so until now it is going ok. I know it will improve for sure.”

With a little luck and some better results Boog can remain in the top ten and fulfil his pre-season goal.