Stephen Rubini: Chasing Dreams

Team Ship to Cycle Honda SR Motoblouz rider Stephen Rubini stands in ninth place in the MX2 World Championship points after starting the season on fire at Matterley Basin with 5-10 results and while the French rider has been rather consistent, there have been a few races where he has dropped major points on his top ten rivals. After that British GP performance, Rubini has gone, 16-10, 8-8, 6-13, 9-9.

In the last round of the MX2 World Championships, held in Trentino, Italy, a 9-9 result wasn’t too bad, and many riders would be happy to walk away with two top ten finishes, but not Rubini, who has his eyes set on bigger fish in the MX2 class.

“It was a tough weekend for me” Rubini said. “Earlier this week I strained my right knee, so it was very painful riding in Trentino. I still managed to get some valuable championship points, but it wasn’t easy. At the start of the weekend, we tried the sand tyre which is quite normal when the track is ripped so deep, but once the track compacted and the surface sand had been pushed away it was very hard packed again and felt different to previous years. The first race wasn’t so good for me. I had a good start and went from 6th place on the out-lap down to 13th, but I still pushed hard and came back to ninth, so not too bad. I didn’t start so well in race two, but I was far more aggressive and did not give up. Even though I was in a lot of pain I managed to finish the race in ninth, the same position as race one and I think my lap times were quite good, so I just need better start. “

A round earlier in Agueda, Portugal the Honda rider had a mixed day, with a very well put together sixth place in race one, but a 13^th in race two, which gave him no chance of making a podium finish.

“Apart from the second race overall I had good weekend. For the second weekend in a row, I was in the top ten for the whole weekend and was feeling good and had a great feeling on the bike. I was a bit sick this weekend though and was struggling with my breathing quite a lot. It was quite painful in my chest to race at this level of physical output.  I had a really good Qualifying Race to finish in sixth, then in the Warmup Practice this morning I posted a good lap to give me second place, so I was motivated for the races. The track was a lot more rutted and bumpier which I enjoyed a lot. I pushed hard in race one, but they watered the track so much that I ran out of tear-offs and had to start wiping my goggles and trying to avoid getting too close to the rider in-front because I couldn’t see so well anymore. Unfortunately, I crashed early in the second race and started from last. It was so tough to make passes, but I still managed to get back up to 13th. I was more aggressive on the track this weekend and more aggressive in the early laps and this worked well. We’ve also worked hard on setting up my CRF250R’s suspension to suit my riding style and the engine is also really nice and I’m very happy. It’s a very good bike and very competitive. I just have to build my confidence now. Each weekend I’m getting better, and I think my place now belongs in the top five. I’m going to continue working towards this goal.”

Rubini will of course head to Kegums in Latvia this weekend and many will have their eyes on the young Frenchman as he continues to try and build on what is beginning to look like a very good Grand Prix career.

Photo Copyright: Lovemytraining