Smells like Dean spirit
By TMX Archives on 14th Jan 11
From AMA amateur to winner in the Pro ranks and Nations hero. 2010 was a big year for Scottish-born Dean Wilson. T+MX recently caught up with the boy who originally hails from East Kilbride, who has just turned 19. T+MX: You had a pretty good year, Dean!
Dean: 2010 has been awesome for me. I've had some really great races, and I've also had a couple of rough races but overall I've learnt a lot and ended out the season with a 1-1 at Pala. I'm already looking forward to 2011. Last year I was still an amateur so I progressed well.
T+MX: Was it a big jump in your career?
Dean: I kinda progressed in steps. I was learning different things each race, but the starts are just so important in America. The pace is so fast, and it's really hard to win if you don't get the holeshot. But there are other little things, like breathing during the race. Sometimes you forget that, and you get so tired. If you let that happen in the middle of the race you can never recover.
T+MX: You ended up third in the outdoors. How close were you to the title?
Dean: I was sitting sixth in the points at one stage, then I had a bad race at Washougal – I was in second right behind Canard and I had a real good get-off. I hit my head really hard, but still came back from last to sixth. I was bullet head, no visor, so that was pretty awesome. Then in the second moto I was fourth off the start, then I crashed and got sixth again. I lost a lot of points that day. But my worst race was at Steel City where I was in third but crashed really hard twice and got 17th. That really ruined my season, but I wasn't that many points off the title in the end. Now I just really want to go in next year, take what I learnt, and maybe win.
T+MX: You ended off the series in perfect style with a double win at Pala. How was that?
Dean: I practice at Pala – it's only 25-minutes from my house – so I was real confident going into that event. I was sleeping in my own bed so I was in a comfortable environment. I just felt really good that day.
T+MX: How much does Mitch Payton help you and his other riders out?
Dean: Mitch helped me a lot to get into SX by building me a really awesome bike and he only wants to talk top three. That is an awesome attitude. When you're on that team, you know he's not going to be happy if you're not on the box. He definitely keeps you on your toes and makes you work hard.
T+MX: You stay with Pro Circuit in 2011?
Dean: Yes, I have a new two-year deal and I was the first rider Mitch signed up for 2011. That proves that Mitch believes in me and I believe in myself.
T+MX: It seems like there was a lot going on behind the scenes before you chose to race for Britain at the Nations.
Dean: It wasn't an easy decision , but I'm really happy with it. There's a couple of people who aren't really happy, but I'm not bothered by that. I'm just glad to represent the country where I'm from, where my family is, and where I grew up. Don't get me wrong, Canada has treated me really well, but there was just so much politics involved in Canada. I'm glad to be back in the UK and look forward to the future.
T+MX: Were you pleased with your performance at the Nations?
Dean: I really wanted to win my class, but Roczen was fast, real fast. There's nothing else to say. But I beat everyone else in class and we just missed the podium. We rode as a team and Brad, Jake and myself got on really well from the word go.
I'm already looking forward to the 2011 race in France.
T+MX: Which coast will you race in SX?
Dean: Mitch doesn't pick which coast you race until the last week.
T+MX: Will we ever see you racing regularly in Europe?
Dean: For sure I will stay in America for at least the next couple of years until I am on a 450. After that we'll see! You never know what can happen, but I have no future plans that far ahead. However, I intend to be on the world scene every year at the Nations, racing for Britain! And Britain is glad to have you, Dean. All the best for 2011, the whole of Britain is rooting for you!