Gyan Doensen was on fire at his home GP in Arnhem as he simply dominated the EMX125 class and he had two very different races. The first moto a holeshot made things more straight forward but in the second moto a bad start saw him come from way back but he still passed everyone to go 1-1. A statement!
We caught up with Doensen after the event to get his thoughts and more…
GateDrop: Gyan, that was unbelievable… unbelievable. Maybe the best weekend of the season so far?
Doensen: Yeah, probably the best weekend. I mean, in Sardinia I went 1-4 because of the start crash in the second moto. I was really close to winning some races, but to do it here in the Netherlands is super nice. To go with a 1-1, the crowd was amazing and I felt really good.
GateDrop: You had two very different races. Yesterday a holeshot, it looked easy… Today, not such a good start. You had to fight your way through, but you showed you can win with or without a good start.
Doensen: Yeah, I really showed I could also pass some guys and came from the back and I did really well. I think no one was as fast as me this weekend, so I take this confidence to next week and yeah, really looking forward.
GateDrop: What was going through your head when you got the bad start in the second moto? Just stay calm, work your way up one by one to get through the pack?
Doensen: Yeah, I knew I was really fast on the track, so I saw Zanocz was in front of me but then he crashed and then I took it easy. In the right space I took it easy, went one by one and I got to the front, I pushed to get to the front and then I took it easy.
GateDrop: I think in Sweden, Zanocz caught across you at the start and I think he did the same today. What’s your thoughts on that?
Doensen: He can do what he wants, but I’m only five points away now, so if he doesn’t react and he crashes again, I will get the red plate. So he needs to be careful, because one time I get him back and then it’s a real drama.
GateDrop: And what was your thoughts on the track? Yesterday was very, very rough. They did a little bit of prep, but still rough out there… Did you enjoy it?
Doensen: Yeah, I enjoyed it a lot. I mean, this track is one of my favourite tracks in Holland and I like it rougher, the rougher the better.
GateDrop: I mean, this weekend it was wow speed. You haven’t always showed that speed every round this year. What would you put that down to? Because if you rode like that every week, I mean, wow…
Doensen: Yeah, I mean, this was really my practice speed actually. I think in practice I’m still a little bit faster, but I mean, I could show what I can do. And today I finally had some luck on my side and also I did a really good job, so yeah, really happy.
GateDrop: At Heerde at the Junior World Championship, the first moto you didn’t really ride like yourself… What would you put that down to? Was it maybe a little bit of pressure? But at the same time, you had quite a lot of pressure this weekend, but it didn’t seem to matter…
Doensen: Yeah, I put too much pressure on myself that weekend and I decided to let it away this weekend and I could show what I can do. And the World Championship was one of the worst rides of my career I think, so far, and especially on the 125cc.
GateDrop: Switzerland next weekend. What’s your plans between now and then? A few days in the hard pack?
Doensen: Yeah, I think a day at Leylstad and yeah, we’ll see.
GateDrop: How are you feeling on the hard pack?
Doensen: Yeah, I’m feeling really good, especially I like ruts and I think my speed is also good on that.
GateDrop: Plans for next year yet? I guess you have to move up to EMX250?
Doensen: No, I can do one more year if I want, but I’ll go to 250, but I can’t announce my plans yet.
GateDrop: Are you looking forward to riding the 250cc next year?
Doensen: Yeah, I rode it a couple of times and I really enjoyed it, so I’m looking forward.
