The first Grand Prix of the year never fails to generate excitement and for all the reasons riders usually explain in their pre-race interviews: the unknown, the level-playing field, the ‘zero points’ column and the general anticipation of getting back into the ‘thick of it. For the last five years Qatar has been the scene of nerves and anxiety perhaps not witnessed on such a large scale at any other point in the FIM World Championship calendar. We ventured into the paddock and asked riders to get personal about how they deal with the emotions and adrenaline that flows, how they use or ignore the feelings and how they can manifest in the build-up to main lift-off to their sport for another year…

Tim Gajser, Team HRC: For sure you think a lot about the first GP: it is one where you are probably the most nervous. You have not seen the other riders for a while, some even for four months or more, because of this it is one of the most exciting races of the season because you cannot wait to get on the track and see where you are with your level. After the first Free Practice everything changes and you can see where you belong, how hard you have worked and where you are with the speed.

Arnaud Tonus, Wilvo Yamaha: There are many feelings and they can change really quickly. For me they never tend to be the same. For sure you have a bit of stress but it can go up and down. It also depends how you feel mentally and what is going on in your life and how you feel on the bike. It is a big part of what we do. The level of competition is high and very close but what make the difference is how you can handle yourself: if you can be at 100% of what you can do at the race then that means a lot of guys can win. Very often you can be better in practice and not as good in the race; it is something I am really aware of and I am working a lot on it and to understand the human mechanism. Where does that stress come from? It’s interesting. The goal is to try and ‘let it go’ and be focussed on what you are doing in the moment.

Pauls Jonass, Red Bull KTM: The first GP is always the worst but when the season gets going then it becomes less and less. In my first season nerves came up quite a lot…although with more races it tended to fade a bit. Mostly I have butterflies in my stomach and I need to go to the toilet more often than usual!

Valentin Guillod, Honda: For the last three years coming here I’ve started to have the ball of nerves in my stomach pretty much from the beginning of February. This year it is a bit different because I have changed my mindset and I am really enjoying what I’m doing. Of course this is racing so it is impossible not to have some adrenaline.

Adam Sterry, Monster Energy Kawasaki: Every rider must have the butterflies in the stomach and I don’t think any of us would be here if we didn’t; if that makes sense. Everybody wants to win so you get that anxiety of wanting to achieve and also a bit of pressure because of the level you are at. Mainly the pressure we put on ourselves bring on the nerves.

Clement Desalle, Monster Energy Kawasaki: Of course [having] the adrenaline is normal and it is part of racing. With experience you might be able to control it better but it’s still there. You feel the tension.

Jake Nicholls, Hitachi KTM: I don’t really get butterflies but I do get a bit anxious and I’m running through things in my mind. Through practice and into the qualification race and then thinking about that heat afterwards and everything else: it is just a massive build-up to the motos and I’m lucky that I don’t suffer too much. I don’t get straightforward nerves, it is a bit weird, and if I’m a bit stressed then I won’t take in too much of what someone is saying to me. I will start thinking about the race when I’m packing and then I’ll have other moments will start the adrenaline going such as trying to sleep but then thinking about the track or how the race might go. To be honest though it is nice feeling and I try to make the most of it.

Shaun Simpson, Wilvo Yamaha, thirteen years in Grands Prix: I think it is totally normal to have nerves. In the last few years it has changed a bit for me. I still get them on raceday but I think five years ago coming to Qatar I would have been nervy the week before and on the flight and the car drive to the circuit. As an experienced rider though you tend to know more what to expect, where to go, where to eat, how the lights will be…I know the answers to all those standard questions. There is less to be nervous about…but in the waiting zone those few pre-race moments still get me and will always do so. Probably when they are not there it is time to call it a day. You can probably gauge your nerves also on your motivation.

To read the rest of the article in the OTOR MXGP Special click HERE