Let’s introduce Valentin Guillod, long-time MXGP rider, 5-times Swiss Champion and European Champion in 2013!
Valentin joined Lovemytraining once again in 2022 and became a member of Team Honda SR at the end of year. He has been training for the new MXGP season 2023 with his team mates, showing grit and potential. As the season is getting close, we had the opportunity to ask him a few question about his career and expectations on the upcoming challenges.
- Valentin, how long have you been riding and what are your greatest achievements on track?
“I started in 1996, when I was 4, and started competing as soon as I could in the French Championhip. It really was a long time ago.
I raced a lot but my greatest achievement is the World Championship victory in Spain, in 2015: it was something I really couldn’t see possible… maybe that’s why it’s so special for me.”
- Congratulations for your success! You have been a Lovemytraining athlete in the past: what brought you back and how is the training with Yves Demaria going?
“Yes, I had trained under Lovemytraining from 2013 to 2016. After a period in which I was injured and needed guidance, I contacted Yves to ask him to train me again: I’m back in the Academy now and I feel great about how things are going, both on track and with the Team.”
- That’s great to hear. What are your expectations for the incoming season?
“I have great expectation for this season and I see that the sentiment is shared by my team mates: we have been training really hard in the past months, we are confident and ready to give our best.
I aim to the Top 10 in the World Championship and to becoming French Champion. It’s definitely a great objective, and I’m optimistic about it.”
- How are things with Josse and the Team going?
“I had ridden with Josse in 2020, but it was a strange MXGP season due to the spread of the pandemic. Now I am happy to be back with him, hopefully managing to complete the year in the best possible way.
Josse is really great and his commitment and attention to the Team is really something to be greatful for: you don’t see it very often, trust me. It is amazing to have professionals like him and Yves managing every aspect of the training and organization, because it lets us rider focus on the bike and our performance on track. Overall, it’s a great environment to be in.”
Thank you Valentin! Can’t wait to see you on track!