Pauls Jonass Interview

When young Latvian rider Pauls Jonass crossed the finish line at the Grand Prix of Latvia, held at the Kegums circuit last weekend, and was awarded second overall there was something special about the celebrations. Not only had the Latvian rider completed a nearly perfect weekend, but he has also completed a goal he and his manager had many years ago.

“I can’t explain how much it meant to me to be on the podium in Kegums,” Jonass said. “You know when I first worked with KTM I came to Kegums for a test, and my manager, who was the KTM dealer here in Latvia asked me what my goal was. I told him I want to be the best. That was like a week before the first Grand Prix was ever held at Kegums. He said his goal is to have a Latvian rider standing on the podium, he asked me if I could do that, and I said I would do my best. Now he is the track owner and that makes it more special, and we were so happy that I made the podium together.”

The podium finish was also time to celebrate with his massive fan base. Hundreds of Latvians followed every move of the Red Bull KTM Factory rider as he tried to do the impossible, after not having the best preparation.

Jonass who crashed hard at the Grand Prix of Sweden limped into the Kegums circuit and not even he could ever imagined he would walk away with a top three finish. His fellow Latvians though never had any doubt as they screamed his name and motivated him to fight on despite the pain.

“I want to thank my family, the team, my girlfriend, Willy and Stefan and all the fans around the track. I could hear them in all the corners. It was so special to lead the first race and my heart rate was pumping so hard like it was like 220 the first laps, I got more tired from my heart rate than the riding. After my crash in Sweden I am lucky to be here.

“After the Swedish GP I could only ride like five laps in practice during the week. Nobody expected I could ride here, but I felt good and while the speed and fitness wasn’t there, it was good for me to be able to get on the box. Max was riding very well, he deserved to win.”

Now a week’s break to rest his wearing body and then onto the last hurdle of the 2015 MX2 championship. No matter what happens now in this season you know that the goals Jonass made with his manager has been accomplished.