Many riders have taken many varied and different routes to reach the top level of the Enduro World Championship, but no one else has taken the path that Frenchman Rodrig Thain has travelled. Leaving the stadium lights of AMA Supercross behind, Rodrig entered the Enduro World Championship four years ago with Suzuki before picking up a factory ride with TM to race E2. That stint with TM saw occasional success but it’s his move to the HM Honda awning for 2011 that has saw him come of age. Dropping down a class to E1 to campaign their CRF 250 has earned him nine podiums and now his first race win at the final round of the championship in France.
This moment has been a long time coming for 'Hot Rod'
Enduro.ie: Congratulations Rod, not only have you’ve just picked up your first EWC race win at your home race but you did it by beating the newly crowned Enduro 1 World Champion Juha Salminen!
Rodrig: “I’m really happy to have finally won. It’s the first win of my enduro career and I’m delighted to finally get one. Beating Juha really adds to the importance of it; even though he was crowned world champion yesterday he still wanted to win today, he pushed me all the way, he wasn’t settling for second!”
Talk us through your race, you worked hard for it today.
“Yes, I gave it my all today and rode for the win. I put everything I had out on the track and just went for it. I felt so good this morning, I was pulling good times out on the Enduro Test and had built up almost a 30-second gap by mid-day. But then Juha stepped it up and started coming back at me. I thought I nearly lost it when I crashed on the third Cross Test. I lost close to 15-seconds but thankfully held on to win.”
How hard was it to control that lead, did you continue to try and win each special test or ride safely to maintain your advantage?
“When I realised that a win was possible I started to think about maintaining my lead, but that sort of added more pressure. In the next couple of tests I made some mistakes so after that I just focused on each special test and not worry about the bigger picture. In the end it paid off!”
Between the dust and the heat conditions were really difficult in France, how did you deal with that?
“For sure this was a really difficult race. The Enduro Test was especially difficult riding in clouds of dust. It was hard to see the roots and rocks and in some places you had to be really careful not to make mistakes. But my fitness has been good, I didn’t get tired and could push at my maximum all day.”
We wrap up the championship here in France but what are your thoughts on this year, overall how has it gone?
“It’s been really good and I’ve ended the championship in fourth. I made some mistakes in Italy that set me back but I think everyone had some problems this year. It is almost impossible to make it through a championship like this without some kind of problems but overall I’m pleased with my performance. It’s been a tough class, those three Finish guys are hard to beat!”
This is your first year riding for Honda and also riding in E1, you’ve got to be happy to take your first win with them?
“I think the team have really helped me step my riding up another level. This year I got nine podium results, plus this win; that alone is amazing for me. The team have given me a really strong bike, everybody from the engine and suspension guys to my mechanic and support crew work so hard to help me improve at each race and I think that’s helped make a difference.”
It’s been a long journey for you to reach this moment. You left the AMA Supercross stadiums behind to come to enduro and now it seems to be working.
“At the time it was a big decision to come to enduro but it’s been the right choice for me. I have no regrets about leaving motocross behind. The sport, the championship, everything is fun here and I’m enjoying racing my bike.”
What’s next for Rodrig Thain, what will 2012 bring?
I want to build on this moment. It’s taken many small steps to get here and next year I will continue to focus on making more small steps and try to continue to improve. I hope to stay with Honda and stay in E1 and continue to fight for victory.”
Words/Images: Robert Lynn