Jordi Tixier Interview

French rider Jordi Tixier isn’t just fighting for his place inside the top ten of the MX2 class in 2014, he’s also fighting for his place inside the Red Bull KTM Factory team. Having started the season with poor performances Tixier got his season started with a podium in Sevlievo, Bulgaria and then added another podium in Valkenswaard, Holland last weekend.

While enjoying the current run of top three finishes, Tixier knows that it’s going to take more than a couple of podiums to keep his team-manager Stefan Everts happy. With a number of young riders showing good form, and his contract expiring at the end of the season Tixier will need to show he is clearly the second best guy in the MX2 class.

“Of course everyone is asking the same question. I didn’t have as much pressure as 2013, but I made some mistakes and I wasn’t focused on my riding. I was really disappointed after the first four GP’s, but I came through in Bulgaria for my first podium and again in Valkenswaard. Now I have to stay on the podium and get to second on the box, because I was only third in Holland.”

As with any top line motocross rider, it isn’t always just about the competitor, but also getting the bike set up perfect for both the riding conditions and the rider.

“We changed many things with the bike and everyone is doing a great job in the team. I am pretty happy about my bike and team at the moment, and I know we can continue to improve and my results will also improve.”

What Tixier does know is that the MX2 class is stacked with riders looking to get onto the podium, and no matter how hard he works there are a bunch of guys looking to knock him off the top three steps.

“I think it is tougher (the MX2 class) than in 2013. We have seven or eight riders that can be on the box and you need to ride well every weekend, so we need to take a good start and have good speed for 35 minutes and always fight for your place.”

As mentioned in the intro, Tixier is also trying to keep his ride in the biggest, strongest team in the GP paddock, the Red Bull KTM Factory team. It is a tall order, although Tixier feels the support from KTM is there.

“Of course, it is always difficult, this is my last year with KTM and I need a good result to stay on the team or get a good ride with somebody else. It is up to me to get my best and everyone trusts me, so that is good.”

Next weekend the Frenchman will arrive at the Talavera circuit in the south of Spain with the same excitement and determination will be looking for his third straight top three finish. It’s circuits like Talavera and Matterley Basin (in England) that make him want to race in the strongest Motocross series in the World.

“Talavera I don’t know, but everyone tells me it is really a nice track with big up and down hills and that is something I like. I really like Matterley Basin, I had a big crash there last year, but I also won the Saturday qualification race pretty easy.”

So onward and upward is the goal for Tixier, knowing that his near future depends on him doing something special.