Sidecar motocross rider Etienne Bax can add a special chapter in his already impressive career on Sunday. He can then become world champion for the fifth time. This time on a self-developed Husqvarna sidecar. Five questions for the crosser from Bergeijk.
We know Husqvarna from the sewing machines. What are you riding now?
“Now you can create an extra strong seam with this motor! I had been toying with the idea for this sidecar for years. Husqvarna has a 450cc capacity as standard. We tuned it to 640cc. The competition rides around with 700cc or 750cc. But my machine is 23 kilos lighter than the regular sidecars and that gives a huge advantage. That it is going so well this season is great for me, super nice.”
Together with your baker Ondrej Cermak, you have it in your own hands, but you are now five points behind the leader. What has to happen?
“I have to finish twice ahead of my competitor, the Estonian-Finnish duo Varik-Kunnas, to make up for the five-point difference. I want to win the first moto and then we’ll see in the second moto.”
You are in control, but so is your competitor. How do you see that situation?
“Well, after the last Grand Prix, they came to the top of the standings for the first time. It is also the first time for Varik that he can become world champion.”
The last race of the season is in Rudersberg, Germany. What are the circumstances?
“We are a bit concerned with the weather. It has been raining here for a while and the forecast is not good. That could turn the race into a lottery. I’m not afraid that the water will cause technical problems because the engine has been good all season.”
Is there anything you fear?
“The worst thing that could happen and I really hope not is that the match will be cancelled. That happened to me on this track in 2014. I then lost the world title because the match was cancelled. Hopefully it will be dry and we will have a ‘fair’ race.”
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