Karlis Reisulis’ breakthrough MX2 podium at Loket proved he belongs at the sharp end of the MX2 World Championship, but the Latvian backed it up just one week later with another strong performance at the brutal sands of Lommel. Despite narrowly missing out on a second consecutive podium after two fourth-place moto finishes, the Yamaha rider once again showed the pace, fitness and confidence of a rider rapidly establishing himself among the MX2 elite.
We caught up with the factory Yamaha rider after another impressive weekend, Reisulis discusses the winter changes that have transformed his riding, the role his brother Janis has played in his development, battling at the front of the world championship, the unique challenge of Lommel and his hopes of representing Latvia at this year’s Motocross of Nations.
GateDrop: Karlis, it was a podium last weekend in Loket and you didn’t quite do the same this weekend, but overall you must be really pleased, you’re making big, big steps…
Reisulis: Yeah, last weekend was a really fantastic GP, finishing third overall and the first time on the podium. This weekend also went really well, two times I finished fourth in the motos, I just had bad starts that kept me down from the podium, but the fighting was nice. I had some nice battles with my brother and some other riders on the track, also a big thanks to my suspension guy, he got the new setup for today which I think helped me a lot for the moto’s.
GateDrop: I mean, Loket and Lommel, two completely different worlds, totally different conditions, and you were out at the front in both, are you happy that you’re able to ride all these different tracks and show good potential at them both?
Reisulis: It was really good to get a good position in Loket, because from then it was already kind of the main goal to be prepared for Lommel. As you know, one of the toughest GP’s so it was really nice that I also could get a podium there, and meanwhile just be prepared also for this weekend for the sand.
GateDrop: One thing I noticed, especially in the first moto, the last ten minutes you were really, really strong, maybe a year ago the last ten minutes was the area you needed to improve let’s say, is that something you’ve worked on, are you happy with your pace now for the whole moto?
Reisulis: Yeah, the pace is good. Also in the second moto, I was catching the boys up front, but just ran a bit into a wall during the last couple laps, but overall yeah, I feel like I’ve really got my fitness better this winter, and just with riding and everything. Also just the mental side of it, I feel more confident even with the training I have did, so it’s nice to have this also improved through the season.
GateDrop: Is there anything drastic that you changed over the winter, or was it just working hard, simple as that?
Reisulis: Yeah, it was just working hard, and my brother was always there, pushing me, you know.
GateDrop: Was he not there in other winters, no?
Reisulis: No, during other winters I rarely saw him, this winter we were together every day, training every day together, eating, you know like the same programme and everything. So it was someone to see like a direct comparison almost for the things you do, and you can see what things were better or maybe not that good, and he was just there pushing me through the whole winter.
GateDrop: And you talked about confidence, I mean how important is confidence, are you starting to believe now that you can run right at the front of the pack, and how big of a difference does that actually make?
Reisulis: It for sure helps to be more confident, I was lacking this before in my opinion, maybe not so bad, but just get that extra boost is always nice. It is one thing that it helps to be yourself on the race, you know, it’s just to be feeling good on the track, it just helps you to believe that the work you put in for example during the week or in winter is paying off, that’s like the biggest thing.
GateDrop: How fun is it, you know, battling with your younger brother, it must be pretty cool to share this story with him, and now that you’re battling against each other quite a lot, it’s been a while, like in terms of years since you’ve battled together, so is it cool to battle with him and with the best riders in the world as well?
Reisulis: Yes, it’s nice, like I said, to have my brother here, fighting with me, battling with me, as well as the best 250cc riders in the world, it’s a really nice feeling. You know, just one thing that you’re up there, and the second thing is that you have your older brother next to you. He’s also like, I don’t know how to say it in English, he’s not, he will not let me pass easy or anyone, he’s going to be there to fight, to pass, to do everything in his favour for the race, you know, he’s not letting off. It’s nice to battle with him like for example today’s second moto, I was there behind him and it was really tough to break him and to pass him, you know.
GateDrop: The Lommel track, what was it like this year compared to other years, it felt like there was maybe a little bit more flow as usual, less stop and starts, did you enjoy it and did it get as rough as usual out there?
Reisulis: I think this year it was more rough than other years, but as you said, I felt like there was more flow this year, since like last year maybe there was more fast parts, but then you had to stop for like 180 corner for example, and this year it was just like that, middle speed all the way through the track almost, so it was a nice track in my opinion, just very rough in the end.
GateDrop: I believe for next year you do have a contract for Yamaha, so you’ll be staying blue, is that correct?
Reisulus: Yeah, like about the contract, I don’t know if I can disclose anything yet, because this is on my agent and manager, this is what they’re doing right now. I am just focusing to finish a good season with Yamaha.
GateDrop: On the MXoN with Team Latvia, the way you and Janis are riding and hopefully PJ can come back soon, that could be a really strong team, are you looking forward to that event, provided you’re selected as you should be?
Reisulus: Yeah, I hope I am selected, but I’m really looking forward to the Nations, I always feel good representing my country, it’s just not my name anymore which I’m representing, but the whole country, so I really like to do this race every year.
