The first round of the EMX125 series went to plan for Filip Olsson as he secured his best ever finish in the class. The young Swede managed to get on the podium by finishing second overall.
It shows that Olsson had a great winter and has put in the hard work required with Filip Thuresson who has been helping him the past year.
The result will give Olsson plenty of confidence and he will hope to continue on the good result and stand on the podium plenty more times during the course of the season.
We caught up with the young Swede to talk about his impressive podium at round one.
Gatedrop: Filip, we are here at the first round of the EMX125 Championship at Valkenswaard and you just got your first podium in the class. Can you just talk me through both your motoâs?
Filip Olsson:Â In the first moto, I got a bad start, I was around twelfth or thirteenth or something like that. I rode pretty good, I got up to fourth pretty early in the race and rode good by showing some good speed and lap times. I was happy with how I rode in the first moto.
In the second moto, I got a decent start in second, I rode smart and tried not to do any mistakes. The track was very rough and rutty, it was pretty heavy. I ended up second in the second one, it was very good. To end up second overall, I am very happy about that.
Gatedrop: I believe thatâs your first podium and best ever EMX result. You must be happy with the start of your season as it shows youâve a good winter behind you?
Filip Olsson: Of course. I had a very good winter training with my trainer Filip Thuresson. I was down in France and training very hard and I also got some good fitness training from Marie Land. Iâm very happy about my winter and it showed on the track.
Gatedrop: As you mentioned, youâve been working with Filip Thuresson. Do you think working with him has helped you?
Filip Olsson: Of course. He helps me a lot when heâs with me. Having been through it himself, itâs very good having him with me and I feel comfortable when I have him.
Gatedrop: Coming into this season what were your expectations and now youâve got a podium, do they change?
Filip Olsson: I will be very happy if I get a top five overall in the championship. Iâm now in second after the first round but if I get a top five I will be very happy.
Gatedrop: Â Youâre a privateer at the moment, is the goal for the future to get on a team or do you like being a privateer as you donât have as much pressure as you would within a team?
Filip Olsson: Yeah, Iâve never been in a team but of course thatâs the goal to be in a good team and have a good guys around you. But I do have that already now so I feel good being a privateer now. Thereâs not much pressure and you can do what you want, that suits me pretty well.
Gatedrop: Youâre obviously from Sweden, is that were youâre based throughout the season or are you based elsewhere in Europe throughout the season?
Filip Olsson: Yeah, Iâm at home for the whole year almost. Except for the winter when I go to France or Spain but then I go home as I must be in school. Mum and Dad must work, also thereâs some races in Sweden we must do. My goal would be to be in Holland or somewhere like that to do some training but itâs difficult when you go to school and parents must work. In the future I hope to go down to Belgium or Holland to do the work.
Pic: Nigel McKinstry