Former Grand Prix rider, Valentin Teillet has plenty of experience in the Motocross world being a former Grand Prix rider himself. The former French rider is now back in the GP paddock with the 737 Performance GasGas team as he focuses on helping the new generation break through.
The first round of the EMX125 series couldn’t have gone much better as Mathia Valin who was an EMX125 rookie last year has made a big step over the winter. The French talent went 2-1 to win the overall and was very impressive around the old school Swiss track.
We caught up with Teillet after the GP to discuss Valin and much more.
GateDrop: Valentin, about 10 years ago or so you’d have been here racing but now you have a young recruit in the EMX125 class with Mathis Valin and I don’t think you could have asked for a better start to the season, fantastic!
Teillet: Exactly, an amazing start to the season. We knew that he had the speed because we’ve worked really hard in the winter. At the first French championship, he was really fast but we didn’t know exactly who was riding the EMX125 championship. Last year we did the full season but it was more for experience, we didn’t have a real goal but this winter we worked with the goal to be European champion. For sure, the season is still long to be European champion but to start with the victory is amazing.
GateDrop: As you say he was fast at the first French Championship but you know that is a completely different level than EMX125, so for him to win here should be really good for his confidence…
Teillet: For sure, the French level and the European level is completely different but we did four races this year and four victories. So for his confidence it is really good, when all is going good then it is always easier when you are behind the gate because you don’t think, you just want to ride. That is what I try and do with my riders, they just need to think about riding, not about anything else. Like I said, the season is still long but we worked really hard this winter in every condition – mud, sand, hard pack and the goal is to be consistent.
GateDrop: You are a top former GP rider yourself with plenty of top five and top ten results, you’ve been there and done it and know how to get to that level. Just in what way can you help a rider like Mathis to get to the top?
Teillet: My career helped me a lot to be a coach. I learned about my mistakes, after that when you want to do something and it’s not good, I always say: hey, don’t do it like me. I was talented and my dream was to be a world champion but I couldn’t be a world champion because I did some mistakes. If you want to be a world champion, listen to me because I know what I am going to say to you, I know what is the way to do it.
GateDrop: There’s good days in this sport but there’s also a lot of bad days, so I am sure you know more than anyone it’s important to keep your feet on the ground even after such a good win…
Teillet: That is exactly it. We need to keep our feet on the ground, after the second race, he won and we were very happy, for sure. But I directly said to him, okay, now we focus on next weekend in Arco. It’s good you win but it is only the first round of the season and now we focus on Italy because we have the same goal for that one too. We stay calm, not too much fireworks and our mind is already on round two.
GateDrop: Being a GP rider yourself, how would you compare this era compared to when you raced in the paddock? I think with so much focus on the EMX championships it is actually easier for talented kids these days…
Teillet: For the young riders to ride at the same time as the GP riders, it is amazing. When I was European champion, it was a long time ago in 2008, it was not during the same time as a GP. At that time it was a completely different event with less eyes on it. Now everything runs on the same event it is good for the teams. For example for me today, we win and it is really good. You have good visibility and for Mathis it is a very good experience. He is riding on GP tracks so it is good for his future.
GateDrop: Just on your team, you are focused on the EMX championship as well as the French Elite series, are you happy working with the young talents in France to develop them for the future or long term do you have ambitions to run a GP team?
Teillet: My goal is to form young riders. I am going to stay with the young riders to try and follow them as much as I can but after that what I want is that they find a team with maybe better material. I am here to start the career for them but for me, staying with the young riders is my goal.
Interview: Andy McKinstry
Images: MX July
