Sensational transfer of this start of the off-season, Sherco and David KNIGHT (GB) draw the interrogations. Few days after his signature, the Manxman took a bit of his time to answer to explain us why he chooses the French Firm and what’s his goal in the SuperEnduro for the new season…
After only one year with Honda, a new brand in 2014… Why?
David KNIGHT: “I was very happy to stay on Honda, but for Xtreme races I needed a 2 stroke bike that I can turn up in say America or Australia for example and put some handlebars and race. Honda doesn’t make a 2 stroke and it’s a very big company so it’s not always easy to find a bike. With Sherco this is possible.”
Did many teams contact you?
D.K: “I had a few offers from other manufacturers to race other series, and another two for SuperEnduro and extreme but on bikes I didn’t like as much as I liked the Sherco, this bike was a very nice surprise.”
Why did you choose finally the French brand Sherco?
D.K: “When I first rode the bike it felt incredibly good, the first impression was very good on both the 2 strokes and the 4 strokes. Also the quality of the parts is really good using both my preferred items like WP suspension with linkage, and Brembo brakes. Also it’s a small company with very enthusiastic people, like KTM used to be when I first joined, nice family atmosphere.”
Will it be the first time that we’ll see you on a Sherco in Liverpool?
D.K: “Maybe I’ll do one or two small races before, but Liverpool will be my first big race on Sherco.”
“When I first rode the Sherco it felt incredibly good!”
With which Sherco bike will you compete in the Maxxis FIM SuperEnduro World Championship?
D.K: “At the moment I think I’ll race the 300cc 4 strokes, I fell in love with it straight away and for indoors it plenty enough I think, even for a big guy like me!”
Do you think you can fight for the title with Taddy BLAZUSIAK (PL – KTM) this season?
D.K: “Of course, I beat him a few races last season and didn’t train so much and hadn’t ridden indoors for five years. This year I will focus lots more on SuperEnduro. My speed is very good; I just need to make this for twelve laps.”
Did you already start your preparation for the SuperEnduro?
D.K: “I’m in the process of building a new SuperEnduro training track now; also I started riding a little on my other SuperEnduro track so yes, I’ve started.”
Is it true that this 2013 season was your last entire season in the EWC?
D.K: “At the moment yes, I’ll never say never but the races are too political now and very easy and mx based, not the sport I fell in love with unfortunately. If they were true enduro, I’d carry on.”
“I’m looking forward to racing in front of local fans!”
Let’s have a chat about the English Enduro. It seems that English riders are back, especially in SuperEnduro…
D.K: “Not so many English, just Manx riders like me! Danny and Jamie can be EWC champions, they just need to work hard, but I’m sure they can be, it’s up to them. SuperEnduro, I don’t know, at the moment for them it’s training but in a few years it’s very possible, they have as much chance as anyone”
And what about Jonny WALKER? He is young (23 years old) and is already fighting with the best in SuperEnduro…
D.K: ““Jonny is a good rider for sure, but for me he needs to find himself then he can get stronger and win. Also I hope his team helps him more as at the moment he is not getting the support from KTM he needs to go the last bit. When he does, he is young enough to win for many years to come.”
Back on the SuperEnduro, how do you see your future?
D.K: “My future, I’ll take it one year at a time, I have a family now and as long as I enjoy it and can make a living I will continue, SuperEnduro is great fun and takes up less time so hopefully I can race it for many years to come.”
What represents for you this opening Grand Prix in your home country (Liverpool)?
D.K: “It’s as close to the Isle of Man as we will ever get so it will be good. I’m looking forward to racing in front of local fans and it will make me stronger than ever.”
story from enduro-abc.com