Julien Liber - The MX2 privateer
By Infront Moto Racing on 26th Mar 17
Julien Lieber started the season on fire, leading the MX2 points heading into last weekends Grand Prix of Patagonia - Argentina, although a less than impressive weekend saw him drop to fourth in the standing, 11 points of red plate owner Jeremy Seewer.
While the talent of Lieber is known, many didn't see him doing so well in his privateer team, LRT KTM so starting the season in Qatar and Indonesia with 3-3-3-4 really gave the Belgian a lot of confidence.
"It was nice to have the red plate, but we were only in the third round, early in the season. Of course, we try out best in the next couple of Grand Prix.”
No doubt though, working with a smaller budget, and against the factory riders, he knew the team would have to work hard for results.
"It is fun because all the people are doing it just for me. I can choose whatever I want for the bike, or the gear, and it's like a family and my direct family helps me a lot. Of course, a factory team would be better. At the beginning, I wanted to go into a good team, but I had no choice and we went privateer. We did it late, but we made it. We had some sponsors from before, who stayed with us. KTM helps us a lot. Until now everything is going good.”
Past history counts for nothing now as he fights his way back into the eye of the factory teams, and his move to the MXGP class in 2018. His immediate goal though it to take his privateer bike to more podiums, a GP victory and maybe a world title, which would lead to, hopefully a full factory ride next year.
"It is my last year in MX2, so I have to do my best, and find a good team for 2018. We will see. I finished sixth in 2015 with some problems and some riders went to MXGP. I know I have the best bike we could have taken and I knew the speed was good in the winter. The pressure and the stress we had to deal with, but until now it goes easy.”
Now onto Mexico in a little over a week's time, for the next Grand Prix for 2017, and another shot at making the podium and scoring more points.
