Hero of the Grand Prix of Brazil almost two weeks ago and getting used to his status as the first Swiss racer to walk the top step of an FIM Motocross World Championship podium (in the principal categories as Julian Bill achieved the feat in the now defunct MX3 class) Arnaud Tonus has spoken further on the exciting current stage of his career.

The 23 year old reversed two years of injury hell to post his personal landmark at Beto Carrero. “I just needed to put everything together,” he said. “This result has given me confidence.”

Before the breakthrough was made for the third round of the 2014 GP term (and one where tellingly world champion Jeffrey Herlings was absent so the real test still remains for Tonus against his former friend) the Swiss was trying a different tactic in his racing.

“I was not trying to think too much about the result because pressure comes with that,” he reveals. “The better approach for me was to look at the performance and the riding and to see where that would take me. If I am 100% and riding well then I know it can happen…even if you cannot control everything sometimes!”

Quietly spoken to the point of seeming shy, Arnaud has learnt to be philosophical about his profession and now holds a mature view that is slightly in contrast to the flamboyance and playful ‘invincibility’ he seemed to radiate in his works Suzuki and Yamaha days in 2010 and 2011.

“I’m living in the ‘now’,” he says. “I’ve come to realise that it can be pretty pointless to think about what might happen or where I can go. It is a sport that has a lot of factors and it can be tough to put all of those together. I have experienced what happens when it doesn’t gel, but I think that is part of the lessons you get in life.”

Tonus is also quite stoic on the injuries he suffered. A badly broken leg, wrist and shoulder, all of which occurred in between pre-season 2012 and the last event of that season. The repercussions of the operations and attempted recovery meant 2013 was also a washout.

“I don’t think I would change anything,” he sincerely admits. “It was a way of learning about myself and working out where I could be better on some points. It was a really bad time but I managed to group it as a positive, at least in sporting terms, and how it changed me as a human.”

“For me racing is more about enjoyment and appreciating what I do,” he continues. “When you are in a rhythm with the lifestyle for so many years you tend to forget a little bit where you are and why you do this. Yeah, it’s a job but it is also something to enjoy. It is what we love to do. It means I am happier at the weekends now.”

2014 is the sixth and last season in MX2 for Tonus; one of the taller and bigger riders currently operating in the category. At 23 years of age he has one last flurry at the category under the current age rules before he needs to leap into MXGP. Unsurprisingly it is a prospect that he is not worried about: “I know I have to move on but I am not scared about it. I like the 450 and I think it is a bike that is good for my style.”

Photo by Ray Archer