IceOne Husqvarna team manager and former GP rider himself, Antti Pyrhönen recently caught up with Dutch site, decrosscast.nl to discuss the 2021 season.
Despite Arminas Jasikonis’ big injury last year, Pyrhönen believes the talented Lithuanian can get back to his best.
“I feel that he can make a full recovery. He is actually already really well on the way and very motivated. AJ, first of all is a very professional guy and a hard worker. I think with the mentality he has, it will bring him back but let’s go step by step. We will give him the time he needs but for sure, he is well on the way. We hope he can work hard and get back to the shape he was last year. With AJ, we need to remember that he is still young. He’s still only 23 years old”. Pyrhönen told decrosscast.nl.
The 2021 season is a big challenge for Thomas Kjer Olsen who will be a new comer in the team after inking a deal to make the move up to the MXGP. Pyrhönen is happy to be working with the Danish talent and believes he can provide good results in MXGP.
“With Thomas, it was a natural move for him to our team, he was coming from the MX2 class and was already many years on a Husqvarna programme. He’s been a Husqvarna rider for four or five years already so it was a natural step for Thomas and for us to continue his career but in the MXGP class”.
“Thomas had a great career in the MX2 class, with his ability and his size, he suits the bigger bike. He is a big boy and a tall guy as well as being physically very fit and strong so he will benefit from the 450cc. It’s been great to work together during the past months and I feel we have a great relationship and a great rider in our hands so I look forward to the great years ahead of us. Still, we can’t have too high expectations, we know how deep the MXGP class is and there’s lot of experienced guys as well.
“We will do the best work we can every week and every weekend. If we do that, I am sure the results will follow. It’s important to be successful and make the best possible results whether or not that comes from younger guys or the more experienced guys – it doesn’t matter”.
You can listen the full podcast below or here – it’s well worth a listen as many topics were discussed.
Pics: Shot by Bavo
