Tom Vialle returned to one of the toughest challenges in world motocross at the Lommel Grand Prix, lining up on the brutal Belgian sand circuit for the first time in more than three years. Now back racing full-time in MXGP after his successful spell in America, the Frenchman impressed with a strong fifth and third in the motos to narrowly miss the overall podium in what was also his first appearance at Lommel on a 450cc machine.
After the race, we caught up with Vialle to discuss adapting back to Europe’s deepest sand, recovering from injury, his progress with Honda, why Supercross remains an important part of his development, and his ambitions for the remainder of the MXGP season.
GateDrop: So, Tom, first of all, what a rough track. You haven’t been used to a track like that in a while. What was it like racing at Lommel again?
Vialle: Yeah, exactly. It’s been over three years that I haven’t raced here so, it was tough. It was tough to be honest, you know, like in the US we don’t have any deep sand tracks like this so actually, I think for three and a half years I haven’t ridden a deep sand track. So, you know, of course, being back in Europe, I’ve spent way more time riding in the sand, but there’s nothing like a training you can find like here today in Lommel. This race is the most rough of the year, and it’s really hard, but I’m really happy over the weekend.
Saturday, in the qualifying race, I was P5, so it was a good one and then today, again, P5 and third. I missed the podium by a little bit, but the second moto I was really strong. I passed Tim at the end of the race and I was pretty happy with how the weekend went after three years being away and also it was first Lommel on the 450cc. I am pretty happy with how the day went.
GateDrop: I mean, you’ve been spending quite a lot of time in the Netherlands and Belgium riding sand, but how much different is that track track today compared to the tracks that you practice at? I’m guessing it’s a lot more gnarly out there…
Vialle: Yeah, I mean, you know when you’re back in Europe, we spend a lot of time in the sand, riding. So, of course, like I said, you get used to the sand, but you cannot find anything as rough as what we got today. It’s almost impossible to find for training. So, you only get it at the race, and it was tougher than I remember, but I had a good day, I felt really good on the bike and had a good flow. So, it was nice to be back in Lommel again.
GateDrop: I mean, coming here this weekend, what were your expectations? Like, what did you expect? Because, like you said, it’s been over three years since you raced here.
Vialle: Yes, it’s been, like you said, three years not racing and the first one on the 450cc so it’s not easy in the sand, but I wanted to be as strong. All weekend I was feeling quite good and I think I did it pretty good going 5-3 today, so that’s a really good weekend for me. I didn’t really have any expectation, but trying to, like I always do, starting at the front and be strong for both moto’s.
GateDrop: You’ve obviously been dealing with a few injuries here and there. Would you say you’re 100% yet? And if not, how close are you to 100%? I mean, riding around there is tough at 100%, never mind when you’re not.
Vialle: Yeah, like you said, and of course, like everyone knows, I missed a couple of GP’s because I broke some ribs, and it was really painful, so I couldn’t race for a couple of GPs.
But I feel like last weekend (at Loket) was really good. I feel I’m close to 100% right now, and today, again, in the sand, it was a strong day. I am excited to be in Sweden soon in two weeks.
GateDrop: Obviously, this year is a learning year, it’s an adapting year. Not only are you trying to get used to the 450cc, but also the Honda. Overall, how do you think the process is going? Are you happy, apart from the injuries, are you happy with what you’re doing in your first year in MXGP?
Vialle: Yes, you know, a lot of new things for me – the team, the bike, the cylinder, the life, coming back from the U.S., Like everything has changed this year. But it took me a little bit, again, to adapt, but right now I feel good so I’m happy where we are. To be honest, of course, the injury puts us out and away from the championship, because we were in the fight for the championship at the beginning. I’m back to the front fighting for podiums again, so that’s the goal at the end of the year.
GateDrop: Just away from the track, I mean, you’re obviously in Europe. Do you spend most time in Holland/Belgium, and do you get to go back to France that much? And are you happy to be back? Also, I think you’ve got a British girlfriend, so that side, off the bike, is it good to be back?
Vialle: I really enjoy being off the bike. Of course, I enjoy being back, eating good food. You know, I’ve been living for 22 years in Europe and only three in the U.S., so it’s easier for me to be here than in the U.S. I mean, it was really good over there, to be honest, especially the last year two years. I had a lot of friends. I kind of miss that life with all my friends over there. I had a good life. But my goal is to win an MXGP world title so anywhere in the world, I don’t really care. I just want to train and fight up front every weekend. That’s my goal and it’s nice to be back in Europe. I spent a lot of time in France so it was pretty nice.
GateDrop: I think the week after the MXoN, you’re going to be in the U.K. racing the World Supercross. I mean, what is the reason for that? Usually when guys focus on MXGP, they don’t tend to do Supercross. What’s the reason for that? Are you looking forward to doing Supercross again? You’ll maybe do Paris as well, I can’t remember if you’re confirmed for that…
Vialle: Yeah, I’m going to do three or four races, that was my contract. That was the goal and the main things why I came back. That was a really important one so I’m going to race during October and November fully Supercross. I think it’s pretty important. The problem of the 450cc class, everyone is too old, I would say, to get to do Supercross. But, you know, I wish in Europe we had more young riders racing Supercross because I’m sure that helps a lot for Motocross, the intensity, the feeling with the bike, playing with the bike.
With Supercross, you learn so much and I feel like it’s important to keep doing it. I also love racing and training Supercross. So I’m really happy to still be able to do that in the winter. MXGP stops at the end of September and it’s almost five or six months to March, until we start racing again. The off-season is way too long, what am I going to do? SI took those two months, October-November, to race Supercross and stay in shape. Of course, I will try to improve my skills. After that, I still have December, January, February. I still have over three months, which is, when you train off-season, three months is a lot to be ready so I have plenty of time.
GateDrop: One friend that you made in America is Chase Sexton. Do you still chat to him and I believe he’s coming to Arnhem GP to come and watch you and spend some time in the Netherlands. Are you looking forward to that?
Vialle: Yeah. With Chase, we’ve been really good friends. We trained the last two years together. We still play a lot of PlayStation together so we still text and call each other a lot. It’s cool to still have the relation with him. We’ve been good friends for the last two years so it’s nice.
GateDrop: The MXoN, if you get selected, are you motivated to go and race there for Team France?
Vialle: Yes, of course. You know, the last year I couldn’t race because of the U.S. a little bit. But now I’m fully racing in Europe so, of course, if I’m picked to race, I will be 100% to race there.
