Vital MX Forum QNA: Christophe Pourcel

8/18/2016 5:53pm
Christophe, how was your experience working with Erik Kehoe ? He's a pretty quiet guy, much like yourself, did you guys get along well with each other and would you be willing to race for him as a team manager again if it ever came up ?

Also, how would you feel about a 22 race SX series involving 5 added races outside the US, since it seems to be a possibility for the future ?
8/18/2016 6:10pm
Steely Dan wrote:
Is it true that part of the condition after your back injury is your body having difficulty regulating its own temperature?
CP377 wrote:
No, i don't think this is true. A lot of you are asking so i will put it in one post. My injury in 2007, I...
No, i don't think this is true. A lot of you are asking so i will put it in one post. My injury in 2007, I broke my sacrum and had the syndrome de la queue de cheval, or cauda equina in english. It means being paralyzed from waist down to upper legs, or like the saddle area. I had a big edema on the nerve where I broke the sacrum and some damage on the nerve, they opened me up and cleaned up the edema as much as they could and hope for the best. There was 80% chance that i would not regain feeling, use the restroom without help, or be able to have children. 3 month later after being laying on a bed flat, they started to teach me how to walk again, i lost all my balances. Nerve pain is one of the worst and the pain medecine were very strong. I lost about 40 pounds. I had some stomach problem because i couldnt go to the restroom so i couldnt eat much, my stomach was in pain everyday and that was hard to deal with, everyday throwin up is not a good feeling.

My parents sent me to the best rehab center in France at capbreton. They have doctors, therapists, and other athletes, it was a good place for me to recover. It was a painful experience physically, but mentally also. The pain meds were so strong it makes you go crazy, i would argue with my parents and have dark days. Im really thankful for them tho, they stuck with me and helped me through it. Its an experience that makes you never forget how lucky you are to be healthy.

Once I felt better, about a year after the crash, they let me out. I slowly started to regain function to use the restroom and my balance got better and better. I remember my first time bike on the bike still using a catheter, it was crazy. but I'm thankful to have got back as much function as i have, its not 100%, but its very close. I have to eat very healthy, lots of fiber and still take a daily laxative. I also have more lower back pain and less flexibility, or the pain comes quicker from certain activities.
Thats a killer testament to the people who think youre soft, nice job.

My question is, does it creep you out knowing GoRide has a tattoo of your signature on his chest?


8/18/2016 6:23pm
UpTiTe wrote:
Thats a killer testament to the people who think youre soft, nice job. My question is, does it creep you out knowing GoRide has a tattoo...
Thats a killer testament to the people who think youre soft, nice job.

My question is, does it creep you out knowing GoRide has a tattoo of your signature on his chest?


It creeps me out, WTF ? Sick
jasonv43
Posts
10279
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Thousand Oaks, CA US
8/18/2016 7:16pm
jasonv43 wrote:
First off. I have always loved watching you ride a bike. And HUGE props to you for still racing after all you have gone through. Pala...
First off. I have always loved watching you ride a bike. And HUGE props to you for still racing after all you have gone through.

Pala Motocross - 2010 - Leading the championship over Canard and the crash happened. Can you talk about that day? I was there and was pulling for you all the way. Then that crash happened and I'll never forget it. I was so bummed but I was also pissed at some of the drunk assholes around us. I won't even quote them but let's just say they were PRO America and Anti-France that day. We even told one guy next to us to "Get the Fuck away and go home!!!" So annoying. I just don't understand how people can be like that.

Anyways. I know you have probably not been the easiest to approach but it seems like the fans have finally warmed up to you. And they have really accepted Marvin Musquin which is cool to see. What is your take on how the fans have reacted to riders from other countries racing in the US series?

Bonne chance avec le reste de votre carrière. J'espère que vous guérissez bientôt et revenir fort pour l'année prochaine.

Allez Pourcel!!!



CP377 wrote:
it was a bummer for sure, when you're so close and its not even possible to go out and race second moto, it sucks. Not much...
it was a bummer for sure, when you're so close and its not even possible to go out and race second moto, it sucks. Not much I could do about it though. There are a lot of different types of fans, some are just pro US or some just don't like a particular rider or country, its weird, but either way its not cool to be boo'ed. I remember winning in Unadilla 2014 and people were boo-ing and chanting USA when i was being interviewed. it would be nice if people show respect sometimes to foreign riders, even if you don't like where we are from you have to respect that we finish on the podium or won the race.
I completely agree with you. It's so crazy to see how disrespectful people can be. And especially now with the internet. Every time you look at the comments section there is some idiot going off. It's just crazy to me.

I was not a fan of JMB early in his career. I just wasn't. But how could you not respect the guy for what he did. He was an amazing rider.

Thanks for the reply CP.

The Shop

Teej317
Posts
888
Joined
4/30/2010
Location
Colstrip, MT US
8/18/2016 8:13pm
CP,

Your riding style is such a beautiful thing. When I ride, I always try to put lots of emphasis on line selection and finding lines no one else is taking.

Your supercross championship in 2009 was incredible considering what you've been through. What was going through your mind after clinching the title realizing you achieved your dream after coming through so much??

Thanks
BobPA
Posts
8329
Joined
10/31/2013
Location
PA US
8/18/2016 9:51pm Edited Date/Time 8/18/2016 9:51pm
CP377 wrote:
No, i don't think this is true. A lot of you are asking so i will put it in one post. My injury in 2007, I...
No, i don't think this is true. A lot of you are asking so i will put it in one post. My injury in 2007, I broke my sacrum and had the syndrome de la queue de cheval, or cauda equina in english. It means being paralyzed from waist down to upper legs, or like the saddle area. I had a big edema on the nerve where I broke the sacrum and some damage on the nerve, they opened me up and cleaned up the edema as much as they could and hope for the best. There was 80% chance that i would not regain feeling, use the restroom without help, or be able to have children. 3 month later after being laying on a bed flat, they started to teach me how to walk again, i lost all my balances. Nerve pain is one of the worst and the pain medecine were very strong. I lost about 40 pounds. I had some stomach problem because i couldnt go to the restroom so i couldnt eat much, my stomach was in pain everyday and that was hard to deal with, everyday throwin up is not a good feeling.

My parents sent me to the best rehab center in France at capbreton. They have doctors, therapists, and other athletes, it was a good place for me to recover. It was a painful experience physically, but mentally also. The pain meds were so strong it makes you go crazy, i would argue with my parents and have dark days. Im really thankful for them tho, they stuck with me and helped me through it. Its an experience that makes you never forget how lucky you are to be healthy.

Once I felt better, about a year after the crash, they let me out. I slowly started to regain function to use the restroom and my balance got better and better. I remember my first time bike on the bike still using a catheter, it was crazy. but I'm thankful to have got back as much function as i have, its not 100%, but its very close. I have to eat very healthy, lots of fiber and still take a daily laxative. I also have more lower back pain and less flexibility, or the pain comes quicker from certain activities.
All the respect the world to you Christophe....
FlaNard
Posts
3620
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Location
Layton, UT US
8/19/2016 1:38am
What a great Q and A. Thanks for taking the time to do this CP. Always a big fan of your riding style (but really, who isn't?) and I wish you a full and speedy recovery. Also, since you mentioned citizenship, let me be the first to say that we would be proud to have you. My family originally came here from France so you have had a fan of me from day one. You're one of the most talented racers I've ever seen and one I know many of us have tried unsuccessfully to copy for years.
Hunter
Posts
10
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Houston, TX US
8/19/2016 8:22am
Hello Christophe! My son and I have been fans of yours for a long time and are very happy to see you racing again. Your smooth, effortless style is such a pleasure to watch and we're looking forward to seeing more in the future.

One of, if not the most memorable things we have ever seen was at Freestone when you were on the Pro Circuit 250 team. We watched from the side of the track in the blazing sun right at the wall jump before the gnarly whoop section and one lap you hit a little pre-jump before the wall and just perfectly hopped over the wall like it was nothing! Nobody had done it like that and you didn't do it again, but wow, that was poetry in motion!

A couple of years later you were on a Yamaha 450 and had to pull off there at the same place with a flat rear tire. What a disappointment that was to us because you had been doing pretty good before that. Thanks for all you bring to the sport!
oshow
Posts
4083
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Location
GA US
8/19/2016 11:33am
TeamGreen wrote:
How do you manage to ride very few laps, namely very few complete laps, on a Supercross track and then BAM! Fastest Lap! At times, it...
How do you manage to ride very few laps, namely very few complete laps, on a Supercross track and then BAM!

Fastest Lap!

At times, it seems like you casually look at the track & throw down a heater; again, how the heck do you do that?
CP377 wrote:
i like to study the track instead of going wide open right away, look, pick my lines, then try a lap.
You are damn good at it too, C-Pour.
CP377
Posts
34
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Location
San Antonio, FL US
8/19/2016 3:45pm
Langhammx wrote:
Christophe, how was your experience working with Erik Kehoe ? He's a pretty quiet guy, much like yourself, did you guys get along well with each...
Christophe, how was your experience working with Erik Kehoe ? He's a pretty quiet guy, much like yourself, did you guys get along well with each other and would you be willing to race for him as a team manager again if it ever came up ?

Also, how would you feel about a 22 race SX series involving 5 added races outside the US, since it seems to be a possibility for the future ?
hey thanks for the question,

I probably didn't get to have the best experience with kehoe because there was so much other stuff going on within the team and things that didn't make it fun. He is a nice guy to work with, and he was supportive of me. I am pretty happy where I am now with my team, but I would not say no to working with him again. We will see what changes they make to the schedule... I would prefer to gain more MX races than SX races. They have to remember as amateurs you race MX your whole life, its the root of the sport.
CP377
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34
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8/11/2016
Location
San Antonio, FL US
8/19/2016 3:51pm
Teej317 wrote:
CP, Your riding style is such a beautiful thing. When I ride, I always try to put lots of emphasis on line selection and finding lines...
CP,

Your riding style is such a beautiful thing. When I ride, I always try to put lots of emphasis on line selection and finding lines no one else is taking.

Your supercross championship in 2009 was incredible considering what you've been through. What was going through your mind after clinching the title realizing you achieved your dream after coming through so much??

Thanks
Thank you.

It was a good feeling, moments I won't forget! I had my mom with me, so it was nice to share that with her.
CP377
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34
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Location
San Antonio, FL US
8/19/2016 3:55pm
Hey Christophe, I've been a fan since your PC days and my 9yr old daughter (whos birthday was yesterday) has followed. When I told her you...
Hey Christophe, I've been a fan since your PC days and my 9yr old daughter (whos birthday was yesterday) has followed. When I told her you were doing Q&A she wanted to ask a few questions so here they are in her words-
1. What tracks do you practice on and which are your favorite
2. What do you feel when your racing
3. Do you feel confident
4. Do you think about points
Thank you for your time and happy birthday, Chloe


haha thank you, very nice picture!

I practice at home in Florida, i used to have a track at my house, but now i practice at a friends private track. My favorite tracks are Unadilla, Daytona, and Ernee (in france). When I am racing i feel very focused! and then tired after... haha Its good to feel confident but you don't feel it all the time, but when you do it helps so much. I don't think about points when I'm riding unless i really need them at the end of the season, but the goal is to get as many points in the weekend as you can.
Jrewing
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AU
8/19/2016 7:27pm
Christophe. You are a champ and definitely a smart dude.
Even more so a fave of mine.
1-forty-8
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1764
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Location
GB
8/20/2016 8:34am
No questions dude, just a thank you for doing what you do. Loved watching you at Matterly Basin in 2011 and 2006 mxdn, your style is a thing of beauty man.
IceMan446
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Location
Sacramento, CA US
8/20/2016 6:24pm
Christophe,

First off, thank you for taking your time to do this. Such a cool thing for you to interact with the fans here.

Everyone considers you one of the most technical and smoothest riders in the world, what rider(s) do you think have a lot of technical skill and ride the smoothest?

Also, what rider besides yourself would you say has the most natural talent?

Thank you and good luck next season!
crc245
Posts
1327
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10/29/2007
Location
Yorba Linda, CA US
8/20/2016 8:09pm
Hello Christophe,

Thank You very much for your time and insight! The information you have shared gives many of us a new perspective of your trials, racing achievements, and continuing accomplishments within the sport.

My questions focus on bike setup and it's importance: How has the transition been going from aluminum framed bikes to steel? From the KXF's to the KTM's to the YZF's to the FC's - A rider of your caliber can, presumably, adapt quite quickly, but have there been many setup differences between the brands that have surprised you?

Also, I believe you tested a Geico Honda around 2011, but a racing arrangement never came to fruition...How important is quality equipment at your level and was this a factor on the CRF?


Thanks Again and I'm glad you're back Stateside on Factory tier equipment for all of us to enjoy!
wfo4ever
Posts
789
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Location
NC US
8/21/2016 4:12pm Edited Date/Time 8/21/2016 7:36pm
Hello Christophe, Just wanted to say "Hello" and I hope you get well soon from your injury Tell Pat, Camille, Michael and Samantha "Hello" from the "O'Show" I used to work with Pat and his brother Don back in the 80's and 90's in Florida, we had some great times together. Congrats on your marriage to Samantha. She comes from a great family as you already know. Good luck in the future and I look forward to watching you race again when you are ready.
CP377
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34
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8/11/2016
Location
San Antonio, FL US
8/21/2016 4:46pm
IceMan446 wrote:
Christophe, First off, thank you for taking your time to do this. Such a cool thing for you to interact with the fans here. Everyone considers...
Christophe,

First off, thank you for taking your time to do this. Such a cool thing for you to interact with the fans here.

Everyone considers you one of the most technical and smoothest riders in the world, what rider(s) do you think have a lot of technical skill and ride the smoothest?

Also, what rider besides yourself would you say has the most natural talent?

Thank you and good luck next season!
Hey, thanks for the question.

Another rider who has a lot of technical skill and rides very smooth would be Stefan Everts. I've always liked to watch him ride. Besides myself, I would say JMB is another rider who has a lot of natural talent. Thanks!
CP377
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Location
San Antonio, FL US
8/21/2016 4:49pm
wfo4ever wrote:
Hello Christophe, Just wanted to say "Hello" and I hope you get well soon from your injury Tell Pat, Camille, Michael and Samantha "Hello" from the...
Hello Christophe, Just wanted to say "Hello" and I hope you get well soon from your injury Tell Pat, Camille, Michael and Samantha "Hello" from the "O'Show" I used to work with Pat and his brother Don back in the 80's and 90's in Florida, we had some great times together. Congrats on your marriage to Samantha. She comes from a great family as you already know. Good luck in the future and I look forward to watching you race again when you are ready.
Hey there. We got married on New Years Eve this past year, but thanks for the well wishes!! Will pass your message on to Pat. : )
Nighttrain
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2771
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Location
Charleston, SC US
8/21/2016 4:53pm
CP377 wrote:
No, i don't think this is true. A lot of you are asking so i will put it in one post. My injury in 2007, I...
No, i don't think this is true. A lot of you are asking so i will put it in one post. My injury in 2007, I broke my sacrum and had the syndrome de la queue de cheval, or cauda equina in english. It means being paralyzed from waist down to upper legs, or like the saddle area. I had a big edema on the nerve where I broke the sacrum and some damage on the nerve, they opened me up and cleaned up the edema as much as they could and hope for the best. There was 80% chance that i would not regain feeling, use the restroom without help, or be able to have children. 3 month later after being laying on a bed flat, they started to teach me how to walk again, i lost all my balances. Nerve pain is one of the worst and the pain medecine were very strong. I lost about 40 pounds. I had some stomach problem because i couldnt go to the restroom so i couldnt eat much, my stomach was in pain everyday and that was hard to deal with, everyday throwin up is not a good feeling.

My parents sent me to the best rehab center in France at capbreton. They have doctors, therapists, and other athletes, it was a good place for me to recover. It was a painful experience physically, but mentally also. The pain meds were so strong it makes you go crazy, i would argue with my parents and have dark days. Im really thankful for them tho, they stuck with me and helped me through it. Its an experience that makes you never forget how lucky you are to be healthy.

Once I felt better, about a year after the crash, they let me out. I slowly started to regain function to use the restroom and my balance got better and better. I remember my first time bike on the bike still using a catheter, it was crazy. but I'm thankful to have got back as much function as i have, its not 100%, but its very close. I have to eat very healthy, lots of fiber and still take a daily laxative. I also have more lower back pain and less flexibility, or the pain comes quicker from certain activities.
Thanks for sharing all the details of your recovery. You've endured an incredible amount of pain and effort to return to racing. I hope you find many more successes in this sport.
CP377
Posts
34
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8/11/2016
Location
San Antonio, FL US
8/21/2016 4:58pm
crc245 wrote:
Hello Christophe, Thank You very much for your time and insight! The information you have shared gives many of us a new perspective of your trials...
Hello Christophe,

Thank You very much for your time and insight! The information you have shared gives many of us a new perspective of your trials, racing achievements, and continuing accomplishments within the sport.

My questions focus on bike setup and it's importance: How has the transition been going from aluminum framed bikes to steel? From the KXF's to the KTM's to the YZF's to the FC's - A rider of your caliber can, presumably, adapt quite quickly, but have there been many setup differences between the brands that have surprised you?

Also, I believe you tested a Geico Honda around 2011, but a racing arrangement never came to fruition...How important is quality equipment at your level and was this a factor on the CRF?


Thanks Again and I'm glad you're back Stateside on Factory tier equipment for all of us to enjoy!
Hey there, thanks for the questions.

Its been different going to steel, but i like it, its more flexible and gives the bike a different feel. No, I haven't had many big changes from one bike to another, for me its always getting the power where i like it. Yes, having quality equipment and technicians is important, its part of the reason I left to go back to Europe in 2011 because there was not a opportunity for me here after Kawi passed me up. With the CRF, i tried Metcalfe's setting and it was not good. We all have our own settings that we like and this one was just not good for me.
jamma10
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10573
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8/24/2008
Location
Bristol GB
8/22/2016 5:02am
I don't dislike Jake, he's a good rider and he seems like a nice guy but after the various titles and races you'd won for Kawasaki over the years I felt you deserved that spot on Factory Kawi in 2011. I may be wrong but from an outsiders perspective it seemed as though that sense of rejection affected you in quite a bad way and left you frustrated for a long time afterwards. Would that be fair to say?

I often wonder how your career would have progressed that they signed you instead, I think you would have done very well. But I guess you've just got to deal with the hand you are dealt.
DrSweden
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6761
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8/30/2008
Location
Stockholm SE
8/22/2016 3:15pm
You are an inspiration no doubt, both on and off track.

What is your best riding tip for us weekend warriors that don't have trainers or dads to became "faster". Just do laps, or try to train ourself via videos etc?
Coyote
Posts
1507
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10/30/2009
Location
Santa Cruz, CA US
8/22/2016 7:33pm
DrSweden wrote:
You are an inspiration no doubt, both on and off track. What is your best riding tip for us weekend warriors that don't have trainers or...
You are an inspiration no doubt, both on and off track.

What is your best riding tip for us weekend warriors that don't have trainers or dads to became "faster". Just do laps, or try to train ourself via videos etc?
as an ex motocross/offroad rider for most of my life your style is pretty unique and surprised you really don't win more. I started the Valli Off Road team w/Chad, how did you get along with him?
DrSweden
Posts
6761
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8/30/2008
Location
Stockholm SE
8/23/2016 4:09am
DrSweden wrote:
You are an inspiration no doubt, both on and off track. What is your best riding tip for us weekend warriors that don't have trainers or...
You are an inspiration no doubt, both on and off track.

What is your best riding tip for us weekend warriors that don't have trainers or dads to became "faster". Just do laps, or try to train ourself via videos etc?
Coyote wrote:
as an ex motocross/offroad rider for most of my life your style is pretty unique and surprised you really don't win more. I started the Valli...
as an ex motocross/offroad rider for most of my life your style is pretty unique and surprised you really don't win more. I started the Valli Off Road team w/Chad, how did you get along with him?
Tnx man, but I need to improve, hence my question to CP. Don't know Chad, sorry. Laughing
early
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2/13/2013
Location
University Heights, OH US
8/23/2016 6:21pm
Hello Christophe,

You have lived here in the US and in Europe off and on for the last 10 years and it sounds like you want to settle here. What is the best and worst aspect of living in the US versus Europe/France that you have noticed?
GuyB
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35722
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Aliso Viejo, CA US
8/23/2016 8:43pm
Thanks, Christophe, I appreciate the insight for us and the readers here. Smile
avidchimp
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EGL, MN US
8/23/2016 9:25pm
GuyB wrote:
Thanks, Christophe, I appreciate the insight for us and the readers here. Smile
Thank you for getting these to happen, Steve.

And thank you, Christophe. Your honesty is much appreciated.

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