 Interview
Thomas Gustavsson
“We want to do well at our home GP!”
It’s the D-Day of the Grand Prix Husaberg of Sweden and here is an
interview of the Husaberg manager Thomas GUSTAVSSON…
Thomas GUSTAVSSON, first of all, introduce yourself to everybody
and your prize list…
Thomas GUSTAVSSON: “I’m the team manager of Husaberg for twenty
years now, since I have started with the firm. I win the European Enduro
Championship two times, in 1985 and 1988. It was just before the
creation of the World Enduro Championship. I’ve also win few Swedish
Championships.”
As the General Manager of Husaberg Factory team, what do you think
of your season for instance?
T.G: “This season has been really good so far. Unfortunately Pela
(RENET) lost the E2 class lead but he’s still in contention for the
title. Mathias is dominating the EJ class, Joakim (LJUNGGREN) is in a
strong 3rd position in E3 and also Oriol MENA already scored two
podiums, so not too much we can complain about.”
Did you enjoy the South American tour?
T.G: “I enjoyed it very much because people are very friendly. We
had some problem with the dust in Chile but it was a very nice tour and
DHL had made an excellent job with the transport of bikes and tools.”
After four years, the EWC is back to Sweden, is it something
special and important for you?
T.G: “Of course, for us it is very important because we are
located here and we have a lot of fans. I really hope this track will be
really good for Joakim, that he can beat KNIGHT and take the second
position. I hope also he can fight with NAMBOTIN but it will not be so
easy!”
Husaberg is the title sponsor of the Grand Prix; does the team
have more results pressure?
T.G: “Well, Husaberg is title sponsor of the GP of Sweden because
it’s our home GP; actually we started Husaberg back in 1989 not far
from the GP’s location, in Askersund. So of course there is pressure,
because we want to do well at our home GP and earn some podiums and
hopefully victories. It’s also Joakim’s home GP so we really hope he
can finally score his first victory this season on home soil.”
RENET is second and BELLINO is leading. What are the main goals
for those 3 last Grand Prix?
T.G: “Of course it’s our goal to win as many races as possible
and in the end of the season we will see the outcome. I hope that
Mathias continues his impressive display to bring home the title. For
Pela it will be a little bit harder, but if everything goes well for him
in Sweden and Finland he will have the chance to win the E2 title on his
home soil at the final round in France.”
Your last title was in 2008 with Oriol MENA (E – Husaberg) in
Junior class and now you are fighting for two World title (E2, Junior).
How did you improved during those 4 years?
T.G: “It’s a steady development. With our great bikes and
professional work we attracted good riders and became a more
international team. The more good riders you have in the team, the more
they push each other, so it’s a natural development. We also integrate
a lot of young riders into the team so they can learn from the more
experienced riders.”
What miss to a rider like Joakim LJUNGGREN (S – Husaberg) to
reach the top and to be a World Champion?
T.G: “I think it’s not a lot; it might only be one perfect race
day where he finally wins. I’ve seen it happen a lot of times that
once a rider has his first victory under his belt it really clicks and
he stays on top. Joakim already won one day in the Senior ranks, but
that was his very first race day in the snow in Sweden back in 2008, so
a victory in the Swedish summer could be his special moment.”
You have presented the new 2013 bikes to media, what are the main
updates on each bike and the new models 2013?
T.G: “We added a 250 4-stroke bike, so we finally have a complete
model range with at least one 2-stroke and 4-stroke bike for every
class. All the model range is completely new and really promising also
for our factory team. Oriol will already ride the new model, the FE 501,
in Sweden and Finland. For the other riders the time to adapt was too
short, but they will all change to the new bikes for the ISDE and the
final round in France. All details of the new model range can be found
on www.husaberg.com.”
For next year, will there be some changes in the teams? Are some
riders leaving Husaberg and some arriving? We suppose Pela RENET is very
solicited…
T.G: “It’s too early to tell really, but Oriol and Mathias will
stay with the team for 2013 for sure. For the rest of the team we are
currently in negotiations with several riders.”
As you was a rider on the World Championship in the 80-90’s. Can
you tell us what changed in the EWC and what do you think of the actual
Championship?
T.G: “The big change is that in the 80’s-90, it was only an
European Championship and then, a promoter came and a lot of things
changed. Especially the paddock that looks really more professional. But
for me, the tests before was nicer. For example, the Xtreme Test is
sometimes too difficult for not so good riders and it must be more
natural. Now, sometimes, it is too much artificial. The actual EWC is
very good but maybe we can accept more riders, like this, organizers can
get more money!”
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