Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

Pefteri Sil n lthe rider Anfti was working with in '04], then he'd be interested in taking me as his mechanic. You not only had to learn how to be a professional mechanic, but also learn how enduros worked. How was that? Last year [2004] was a Sreat year. Petteri was really good with me. He was a great teacher because he had a lot of experience and didn't 8et pissed off if I didn't know how to do something. He would always explain stull to me. Also, there were several other people that helped me. You always learn something new - find new ways to make the bike better. What wer€ your thoughts about moving to the states to work with luha? Moving to the U.S. wasn't a bi8 issue for me. I can stay away from Finland for a whole year - I don't get home- sick - so that wasn't a problem. Juha and I went to the U.S. in July of '04, so we knew what to expect. Everything went well right from the day we landed in the U,S., despite it being a ver/ different place to Finland- I've enioyed living in the U.S. There is a great feeling within the KTl"1 team, which helps us feel settled. ls there such a thing as a typical week for you now? ln the U.S. there is a lot more work and responsibilit/ than I had when I was in Europe. I am Juha's personal mechanic, but I also look after many other things. I train with.luha in the Eym and when we go cycling. I always go with him when he goes practicing. I build the race bike, which takes a couple of days. I have four race engines, which I rotate. as the/ do nvo races each before getting rebuilt. I also have to look after his practice bike, order- ing spare parts, and take care ofthe mce truck. The truck and the whole team are pretty much based around Juha. It's more work for me, but I realt enjoy it. ls there a reason why you and Juha seem to work so well together, Ithink one of the reasons is that I have been a racer mysell Before.Juha says or does something, sometimes I already know what he is going to say or do. Our com- munication is so smooth and easy. lt has been surprising- ly easy this year because we have become very good friends. We have business to do but then we also live together. The communication is the biggest thing. That is why Juha wanted a Finnish mechanic, so that he could communicate exactly what he wanted to say. How did the U.S. mechanics react when you start- ed speaking in Finnish? At first they said we should start talking in English, but then Juha explained that he could explain better in his own language. After he has spoken to me, he then speak in English, so everyone else knows what is Soing on. How were Juha and yoqrself accepted into the team? Really, really well. The whole KTM GNCC team is new, which I think helps a lot. There weren't any old guys that have been in the team for years and only want things done their way. Juha and I made the team rules, really- What was the best and worst thing about the '05 season? Winning the title is definitely the highlight, but I enjoy it when.luha rides well- When he wins, it's like it's my win. The best thing is the championship, but the hiSh- light is when he races well. The worst thing was when Juha ran out of gas. There were some issues with the gas tank that day. What did you enioy the most about '05? The fact that every place we 80 to is a new place, which keeps my motivation high all the time. lt's really exciting going to new places. Every racetmck was new we are able to stop at a few tourist spots alonS the way, which has been great. Also, it's a very easy life in the U.S. It's so much different to Europe. Now I find it hard to spend time in Europe. Do you have a pre-race system you use before each race, Yeah, Two days before a race, I have the race bike ready, and we'll go testing close to the race place. Then we get to the truck, wash the bike and double check eveD/- thing. On race day, Juha and lwalk a couple of miles ofthe track to work out where to place the four or five team helpers that have radios. Then we have some lunch and it's time to get ready for the race. lt's really busy during the .ace because ltry and seeJuha as many places as I can. Vyhat is the most important thing you lea.ned in'05? Working with luha I have learned that if you focus on what you are doin8 then ever/thin8 will be okay. You don't need to worry too much ifyou have done your job properly- I used to get stressed and double check every- thing all the time when I was working in Europe. Now I do it once, know that I have done it properly, and then I can relax knowing that it will be fine. Did you make any mistakes last year? ln North Carolina, the first race after the summer break,luha ran out of fuel. lt's a long story but I worked everything out, had a rmaller carburetor fifted to the bike, and Iwas sure that we would be fine because we had been finishing races with very little fuel up until that Kollonen now turnr wrenchei for GNCC Chompion Juho Solminen (right). point. The first tank we used got bigger during the sea- son, the new one held a little less fuel and that is why luha ran out of fuel a half kilomete. before the pit stop. That was the first time after my injury that I ran. Finally, what advice would you give to someone that wants to become a race-team mechanic! Never simply just do your iob. Always try and do it better - try and find ways of improving what you do. You can never be fully satisfied with what you do. You also need to keep learning, allthe time, and always be open- minded. Take in all the information people give you, mix it with what you know, and take the best bits. Oh, and work hard and enjoy it. Cll CYCLE NEWS . JANUARY25,2006 3l I I (' . Juha has already announced that he will return to Europe in '07. Will you go with him? I haven't decided anything yet. I have a contract with Juha to work in the U.S. in '06 after that nothing has been decided. I can't see why I wouldn't go with him and continue working with him. Everything works so well with luha l'm not sure I would get the satisfaction with any other rider. lt depends on the deal as well. q \ d ,y, iI > \ I J l -l I rr tr- .*-

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