Supercross, motocross, sand this weekend in Hossegor, Quentin Prugnières is on all fronts. Kawasaki Bud Racing 9mm rider was entered last week at the famous Mini O race in Florida. Facing the best Americans of his generation, Quentin learned a lot on the spot. Here’s what he claims in five questions.
Quentin was able to benefit from the advice of his coach Thierry van den Bosh on site © Nathan Gudefin
Quentin, what strikes you about these Mini O’s?
“Already in the beginning is the world. We were more than 3,000 riders during the week. The paddock is frankly huge. The first series runs in the morning at 7:30 and everything continues throughout the day with a break of just 15 minutes at noon to redo the track. And then it rolls on until 4.30pm, sunset. On the motocross track, I wasn’t too surprised. The supercross track was more like an SMX circuit. The format means that there is a lot of intensity in Supercross racing. We don’t drive long, there’s no sighting. The riders are hot potatoes from the first lap.
© Nathan Gudefin
Precisely, which driver impressed you the most and why?
“Honestly I would say Deegan. Although it makes a lot of noise when it rolls, it goes very fast. He starts to have a bad reputation in the US showing a lot on social networks with his videos of him. Many people say he’s a little crazy. After me he didn’t shock me. In Europe or in France the pilots all behave like this. He’s not a bad guy, but he does his own thing and doesn’t necessarily try to smile at people or be nice. There are many people who are interested in him, because despite everything he has a name. After all the videos of him, there is a lot of work seen as a guide. He’s a rider who never gives up, right up to the last lap. In supercross, he “fucked” me three corners before the end, so I was kind of freaked out. The boy fights to the end, whatever the races and what’s at stake. He is a very aggressive driver, but he can put his wheels well, he also has a good racing intelligence. Attention, I’m not saying that the others weren’t fast, but he was a bit on top. He was doing things that only he could do on the track. I knew he was putting gas from watching the videos, but you never know if the track is rutted or flat. And there I was able to see that even on the crossed ruts circuit he goes fast. »
Quentin was able to see Deegan in action from very close, all too ready when the latter got the better of him on the left on the last lap © Nathan Gudefin
How do Americans see a young Frenchman who comes to them?
“It was super positive. When I crashed and went out, the last motocross lap, everyone cheered and cheered me. Even when I fought Deegan, I got compliments. After that, there are people who didn’t really like it, but I didn’t care. We don’t have a bad reputation as French, from the little I’ve seen and done there. I was not rebuffed or insulted when I hit Americans. I even remember a lady who at the end handed out the cups and who said to me “ah yes, you’re the little Frenchman who kicked the Americans’ ass”, laughing. It was only positive. There really is something at stake for the three or four riders driving up front who are already in the team. After the others, they have fun all week and some even party the day before pedaling. »
© Nathan Gudefin
The best moment and the worst moment of your stay?
“(think!) I have not experienced a moment that has marked me in a particular way. Come on, let’s say my three holeshots, I liked going up front there. It doesn’t happen to me often in Europe. They could be American or whatever, just the holeshotting was cool. After being overtaken by Deegan on the last lap it wasn’t my best memory, that’s clear! I didn’t know it was him, but it didn’t matter, I got overtaken with three corners to go and I was very disgusted there. »
© Nathan Gudefin
Driving in Europe and the United States, we ask ourselves, what is its future?
“Ah bah the United States of course! There is already more money and that is a lot. Then I really like supercross. I would like to go there later. We will say that for young people aged 15 to 18 it’s fine to go to the European Championship, but you have to try to go to the United States. Do two different disciplines against one in the Grand-Prix. You often ride in good weather, the conditions are better and you can find sponsors more easily. Motocross has a bigger reputation. So yes, there are negatives like cost of living or food, but I think it’s good to progress. I’m not pro USA, I’m just saying that my dream since I was born is to become a pilot in USA one day. Even if it’s shit, I want to go and dream of going.
© Nathan Gudefin
In the three categories entered motocross and supercross (6 in total), Quentin climbed on the podium three times with a second place in the 250 Pro (motocross) behind Deegan. He takes the third step in Supercross 250 A and the second step in 450 Pro.
