After delivering one of the rides of the weekend at the brutal Lommel circuit, Nicolai Skovbjerg once again underlined why he is regarded as one of the best sand riders in the paddock. The Danish talent charged from outside the top 20 on the opening lap of the second EMX250 moto to second to secure the overall victory, showcasing incredible speed, fitness and racecraft on one of the toughest tracks on the calendar.
We caught up with the young Dane after his impressive performance, Skovbjerg reflected on his remarkable comeback, explained why he thrives in deep sand conditions, discussed adapting to life with the 67 Husqvarna team and admitted that improving his starts will be crucial if he is to achieve his ambition of moving into the MX2 World Championship full-time next season. He also shared his thoughts on his championship campaign and his hopes of earning a place in Denmark’s Motocross of Nations team.
GateDrop: Nicolai, I mean wow, unbelievable speed. Do you not get bored of having to do that nearly every week though, in the EMX250 series and the ADAC? You love giving yourself a lot of hard work like today (laughs)…
Skovbjerg: Yeah, but I also love a good start, that’s for sure. Good starts are also nice (laughs).
GateDrop: I mean just in that second race, I don’t even think you’re in the top 20 on the first lap. What was going through your head on the first lap?
Skovbjerg: Yeah, nothing positive, let’s say that. I think 24th they say I was in the first sector, but yeah. I had a hard time getting going, but when I got going it was quite good speed and everything.
GateDrop: I mean what was it like coming through the pack at a track that’s so brutal? I mean it’s crazy out there, for most riders it’s survival, but not for you, you seem to love it.
Skovbjerg: Yeah, I only got tired in the end, like the last lap it went down to the flag, but other than that it was quite good. A lot of people go on the flat lines, so if you want to pass you need to go on the rough lines, but as long as you stay on the bumps, you don’t lose so much energy.
GateDrop: What was the track like today compared to yesterday? Looked like they did very little track prep, so it was way rougher today?
Skovbjerg: Yeah, way way rougher, and I think they put a lot of water down because it was a bit more heavy today, but also compared to the other years, I think it’s rougher this weekend. Especially with the new sections they made, there were more turns and for sure some more bumps there.
GateDrop: And I mean, what is it about the sand you enjoy racing? You know, you’re amazing at this place, and not just here, all the sand, you’re good in hard pack too, but I would say this is more natural for you, these conditions?
Skovbjerg: I really love the sand, you can just put the bike where you want too and it’s so nice. When you rail a corner or you come jumping into the corners and just pull the throttle around, that’s so sick, that’s the sickest feeling.
GateDrop: Billy was leading there, when the two-lap board went out, you got pretty close to him, but I think you made a mistake in sector one of the final lap, because I thought you were going to win until that point. What actually happened, because I couldn’t see?
Skovbjerg: Yeah, I closed the gap really fast and then I missed the triple, and I tried again to continue, and then yeah, one lap went away, and new line, and I f***ed up there and then the heat came up… I was tired.
GateDrop: You’re relatively new to this team, 67 Husqvarna, how’s everything going with the new team, are you happy to be here?
Skovbjerg: It’s great, I can’t complain. Here there is a good structure and it’s good to ride for them, they know what they’re doing, which is a big, big help, so I can’t complain, I’m really happy here.
GateDrop: They also gave you the opportunity to do MX2 in Loket too, was that unexpected, and did you enjoy, you know, a pressure-free weekend racing MX2, let’s say?
Skovbjerg: Yeah, it was a difficult weekend there but I’m happy I got the opportunity but I struggled a bit there, and speed was quite okay, but yeah, it was good to get that race under the belt.
GateDrop: The one thing that might slightly concern you is okay in EMX250, especially in conditions like this, even in MX2, the start isn’t everything, but on more normal tracks, let’s say, if you go to MX2 and you keep starting, you know, 20th or 30th, it’s going to be very, very difficult?
Skovbjerg: Yeah, then you can forget it so I need to figure this out, and now I go back with the team, and we will go for some testing before Gaildorf so it should be good there.
GateDrop: Plans for the rest of the year, will you maybe do another GP, or still to be decided?
Skovbjerg: No, only EMX250 because the GPs are only overseas, the ones that doesn’t have EMX, so no China and no Australia.
GateDrop: In terms of next year, have you got any plans yet?
Skovbjerg: Nothing yet.
GateDrop: What would your preference be, MX2 or EMX again?
Skovbjerg: For sure, MX2, that’s the goal. A full season in MX2 then I’m happy.
GateDrop: Just on your season this year, I mean, are you happy, you probably wanted to challenge for the championship, we’ll probably have to respect Garcia though, he’s had an unbelievable season, nobody’s really got close to him in terms of the championship, are you happy with what you’re doing aside from that though?
Skovbjerg: Yeah, I am second in the championship at the moment. I went into the season with the expectation of top five, so I can’t complain. This position is nice to be in, Garcia is now out but we don’t know how long. It’s 74 points, I think they said so it’s not impossible.
GateDrop: Last question, Denmark, Motocross of Nations, hasn’t been announced yet, but I’d like to think you’ve put yourself in the shop window to get picked there?
Skovbjerg: I would say so, for sure. I hope to go there and race for Denmark.
