Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128219
Wow. So how al;>out ,the tracks, now that you are 'in America? What are'some of your favorites? I like 'all of them. I like special things. I like the mud, I like the hard pack, and I like the sand, too. Q A So you like the team; you like the tracks. Wbat's your goal this year? "d like to win races. But I would like to win a championship, too. So I just need to be consistent. DO you feel more pressure now than when you first came over here? When you first came to the United States, no one knew who you were. Now, people know you, and you're doing well. Is there more pressure now? No, not really. I don't have any pressure. I like it, and I feel good here. Q A maybe just go back to France for a little. I can't do any riding there, so just a few weeks. : Who were your heroes growing up? Well not anyone rider. I like Ricky because he's a champion and he tries hard. I like Windham because he's so smooth. If " have any special rider jt's Pichon. I just signed with them again for next season. I like this team. Mitch is my manager, b'ut I don't' e~ like-he- i.s my manager. J feel like he is 'my riend, just like everybody here. Except sometimes . hen I'm testing, we work hard. When you have ailure, it's tough. Like at San Francisco, I rode adly, and it was bad. But when you do well, it's ood. I can joke with everyone here, and it's good. In the United States, a lot of riders grow up hoping to race for a team like yours. Growing p in France, was that a goal of yours? Or is this ust the way things worked out for you? Well, I always wanted to ride for Mitch. Before I came here, I was training with Mickael Pichon, nd he had ridden with them before. He told me it as a good team, really professional and gives 100 ercent. Now, there are some other teams that are ood, but I still think they are the best team for 25s. And they prove it with all the number-one lates. I need to get one of my own for that wall. And you used to ride with him? I used to ride with him. If I'm here today, it's because of him. I.us.ed to be so I;>ig. I lost 50 pounds training With rum. Q Yeah. When' stayed with him, he bought me a bike, factory suspension, everything. Because I had no money; I had nothing. A Q The "917" on Sorby's back is blue, white and red. Make no mistake, it's not because he's in America ... it's representative of the French flag. After all, he is French! He has already re-upped with the Pro Circuit team for next year. You live in California now? Yeah. I have a condo. I live on my own. I really' like California; it reminds me of wh.ere I grew p in France. No, I don't want to go back to France. feel I like it here. Except I would like to go back to ee my parents and my sister. So in the winter JUNE 18,2003 • cue I e n e But he knew you would be fast? Yeah. So, did you always want to ride in the United States when you were growing up? Not really. I always wanted to stay in Europe. But I had nothing. I didn't have a good team; y bike was so-so. Here, I have everything. 64 Are you serious? , . .... s FinallY, at Hangtown, you were going for your first win in the United States. Your last two laps were the fastest. What was going through your mind as you went for the win? I gave· it every last bit of energy, everything I had. If I can ride like the last lap on every lap, , will win, And that will be fun. GIll Q