The French Legion in the US scene sees his biggest representative in ‘veteran’ David Vuillemin who along with being one of the top guys in the SX class is also one of the most likable riders in the entire championship. Aboard his MDK-Honda DV showed some good speed this year and only an unfortunate injury in Phoenix prevented him from performing as good as he can do in the following rounds. But he is back in shape now and ready to give all he has and challenge the factory riders he competes against in the bigger class. We checked in with David to get his words on many of the topics that are dominating the supercross scene. And knowing how big of a fan he is and how interesting his opinions are we knew he was going to provide some juicy stuff to read.
You had good warming up races in Canada, and then can you tell us how did it go from Anaheim#1 on? Can you bring us into each round a little bit about you and your performances?
I did good in Anaheim 1 with a poor start. I felt good and got 6th. Phoenix was supposed to be better. I was fast in practice (3rd) and got a good start in the Main but I crashed real hard in a rhythm section. I ended up spending the night at the hospital. I broke a rib and was really sore. I did not ride all week and went to A2 to get some points. It was really difficult but managed to get 10th. I still didn't ride before San Francisco and went there to get points again. I had a tough night in qualifying and last chance but I made the main. I had a bad gate position but managed to be mid-pack after a lap. I got 6th and I was happy with it! I started riding again after San Francisco and training a little bit. I rode 2 days which I wasn't able to do since before Phoenix. I woke up Saturday morning of A3 really sick with stomach flu. I couldn't eat anything and was throwing up every time I was coming off the bike... It wasn't good at all! I salvaged points, again, with a 12th... I need to show my gull potential now!
How do you feel as far as speed and competition you can do from now on? We have seen a renewed DV since you joined the new team, what is your ultimate dream in this SX series that you think you can accomplish?
When I am at 100%, my speed is great like in Canada, A1 and Phoenix. It would be great to get a podium this year but after my problems, I need to find my speed and fitness back first... It's do-able but it's going to take to be at 100%.
Are you satisfied with the bike? Is there anything you would improve and how much different is your position now to that you had back as factory rider?
The bike is good and I have enough to be really competitive with it. Team MDK is doing a great job as a privateer team to be up there with the factory guys. Being Factory rider is a turn-key position but my position right now is pretty close to that.
So far what is your opinion on the level of the competition comparing to the last season? Is it going like you expected or there is something that surprised you (for both classes)?
It's pretty much how I expected. For me the biggest surprise is Jason Lawrence in the Lites. He has been doing great!
Based on your long experience and the knowledge you have who do you think will win the championship and why? Will it be a really battled season?
All the eyes are on Bubba. He is the one who is supposed to win. He has great speed, huge talent, fearless. He has been dominating but don't count Reed out yet. He rode great in A3 and showed James he was still here. It was great to see Chad battling like that in A3.
Who was the rider that didn't perform as expected?
Every factory #1 rider has been on the podium or winning a race since the Canadian rounds but Windham. Kevin has been struggling a little bit but I don't know him and I am not that close to him to know why. He has been showing some improvements lately though.
In the 450cc class many riders are injured. Is there anything we should/could do to avoid that?
I really think the tracks could be more safely built. It doesn't take much to have a dangerous rhythm section and a safe one, just better transitions and rounder tops...
There is a lot of talking about the bike settings and how much that is becoming the key to perform good at every single round. Do you really see things are going into that direction and if that is what it is do you like this change in our sport?
It's still Motocross and Supercross. The riders make the most difference on the bike. When you have a good setup, it's better to stick with it and work on speed, technique and fitness than get lost in testing and loose the feeling. My bike hasn't been touched since Canada and it's good. When I am 100%, I was top 3-4 fastest in practice on 4 different tracks on the same bike.
Do you like the 4-stroke bikes now?
I like 4 Strokes because MDK is doing a good job with mine but I love the 2 stroke days!
Do you like the new race format?
It's a lighter program that makes more sense but I would take only 7 or 8 guys out of the semis and take 4 or guys in the last chance instead of 2...
Is there anything that from your experience you would think would be good to change or to improve in supercross?
It would be good to see something like a yellow flag in Nascar and all the riders restart in order but close together after half way for example. It would be more fun for the fans to watch but not as fun for the leader that had a 10 second lead...
In the last round there was a lot of talks about a really close block pass Stewart did on Reed? Do you think it was usual business or it was too aggressive?
I think it was fine, I can't believe Bubba got booed for that! The little contact was at 5 mph and no one crashed. What should have we done to people like Bradshaw, Matiasevich, LaRocco, Hughes, Kiedrowski back in the days then?
What is the think that you enjoy most these days in our sport at your stage of the career?
I like to ride and have a blast on a motorcycle. I like to go to the race and have fun on the track, to see mine name up there in practice and to be proud about the way I ride. I love to see fans talking about my goon riding, about my website etc...
The GP season is not far from starting, give us your predictions for both classes, you are pretty good at that
In MX2, I think Cairoli is going to come back swinging. We haven't heard from him in a while, he might be training like Rocky somewhere. Pourcel will be also good. For the rest of the MX2, some will win some motos and race but I don't see anyone except those 2 for the Championship not even Rattray. In MX1, everyone is motivated by Everts' retirement. It should be a great year. Coppins is the favorite and we will see if he is tough enough to be in this position. He has a great team behind him and he is back on a factory bike. I think Seb Pourcel can impress a lot of people if he gets wiser. Other than that, I don't follow enough and I am not close enough to know every guy.
How much do you like your Tech 10 boots? Have you ever tried any other Alpinestars boots?
I tried some Tech 3 when I was in 80cc and Tech 10s since May of 06. I really like them, really comfortable, easy to break in and I feel well protected. I had more money to go with other companies but after a great experience with the Tech 10s during the 06 Nationals, I decided to keep wearing them!
Thanks for your time and all the best for the remaining of the season! We'll check in back with you again.
Any time, thank you.
The Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme — A.K.A the FIM
Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Ben Spies parked his Rizla Suzuki GSV-R800 and went looking for his Suzuki GSX-R10000 to line-up for the 28-lap AMA Superbike National
