Interview Joonas Kylmäkorpi

Five Questions to 2013 FIM Long Track World Champion

Firstly, congratulations on your title! How do you feel?
I feel great! It's been a few days since I got the championship but I am still excited about my gold medal! It took lots of blood, sweat and tears to get it! I would like to thank everyone who helped me this year! My team, sponsors, family, everyone, who has been there for me!

How did you prepare this 2013 season during the winter?
 This winter was very intense for me. I moved to Spain, where I was practising Motocross and Enduro nearly every day for four months. I was also cycling a lot in the Pyrenees, eating healthily and keeping my body fit. It was a hard time, but I enjoyed it and as we can see today the hard work paid off.

Four times in a row!!! You have broken Gerd Riss' record of three times in a row. Is that important for you?
It is definitely a very nice feeling to achieve something that no one has ever done before. I knew that my fourth gold medal would be a record breaker and it gave me extra motivation during the season.

Last year you won three finals (Forssa, Forus & Marmande). This year you won only one final (Forus). Do you think there was a better level in the 2013 World Championship?
For sure! The championship this year was very tough and before the last Grand Prix there were four guys with chances for the silver and bronze medal. I am happy that Long Track series is getting more and more professional and the riders are really serious about it. You can see that there was lots of work put into developing the motorcycles and the fight for medals became more equal. Nevertheless I have to say that I was a bit unlucky this year. I suffered from some crashes and technical problems - like in Rzeszów, when my chain dropped off on the last corner while I was leading the final. I am sure that I would have won more rounds if I hadn't been so unlucky.

What are your goals for 2014?
I always have one goal – to win. Whenever and wherever I race, no matter if it is Speedway or Long Track, I want to be the best. For the real champion, winning isn't everything. It's the only thing!

Text & Pictures by Lydia Robin