Posts
1361
Joined
2/1/2010
Location
US
Edited Date/Time
8/13/2017 10:25pm
http://www.mxlarge.com/2017/08/13/thomas-covington-interview-usa/
MXLarge: Can you explain how it came about getting the call from Team USA?
Covington: Well, actually, after Tomac decided he wasn’t going to race, I thought there was a long shot. With my experience at Matterley, the format and I thought it would be a good option. So, I just sent Roger (DeCoster) an e-mail, and told him I was available and I really wanted to do it. Matterley is one of my favourite tracks and I rode the 450 back at home before Mexico, and it suits me really well. Speed was good and I felt really comfortable on it. I told him I could ride the 450 and I could get a good start and stay up front. So, I sent Roger the e-mail, and he replied a few times and we went backwards and forward and early this week he sent me an e-mail and told me I was in. It’s unbelievable and not many guys get this opportunity and being a racer, you never know if you are going to get that chance. Some other countries is a little different, because there are not always that many to be chosen, but to be one of those three, to be chosen, it’s unbelievable. I am really thankful for the opportunity.
MXlarge: So, the 450, or the 250. Was there any discussion, or Roger just decided? Any talks with you and Zach or Husqvarna as a team?
Covington: Well, he just told me I was in, and I went to the work-shop the next morning, and the team already knew the night before, because the had called and they were already a 450 together for me. So, I found out later on and Zach will be MX2 and Seely MX1. I am looking forward to it, I am really happy on the 250, but the 450 suits me better, so I am looking forward to doing that.
MXLarge: What about riding the 450, you have some GPs left, any temptation to ride the 450 in maybe the USGP?
Covington: I won’t race it at the GPs, I will probably stay on the 250 until after the USGP, and then maybe test a little bit, and after France we will probably stay in France and really get it dialled in.
MXlarge: I understand it’s been 17 years since a GP rider has ridden for America (Ryan Hughes in 2000). Early this year, you jumps at the chance of another team at the MXoN, did you think you had no chance for Team USA?
Covington: Yes, I really didn’t think I had any chance. I actually lined up the Puerta Rican deal last year, when I talked to him at the MXoN, been talking to him all year, sorting things out, and getting the other riders in. It wasn’t in my mind, and the season hadn’t gone to plan, but it’s getting more consistent now, some podiums and it was just enough to get Rogers attention. I think it’s a solid team, maybe not the team with the big names, but this team has a lot of heart and we will give it everything we have I think we still have a good chance to win it and looking forward to it.
MXlarge: Zach has also wanted to be on the team for some time, and finally its happened. Have you had the chance to talk with Zach or Cole yet?
Covington: I haven’t talked to Cole at all, but I have with Zach, in fact he sent me a message after Lommel and said I was killing it, this was before I knew I would be on the team, he said he knew how bad that place sucked. A few days later, he was like, dude, are you stoked. We just talk back and forth, it’s going to be fun, and we think we have a shot to win it and it’s a cool team.
MXlarge: Looking at the teams I guess France are the favourites, but so many good teams, like Holland, Belgium, Great Britain have a good team. But if you look at it, there isn’t really a stand-out team, have you looked at that and thought, wait, we can really win this?
Covington: It’s not easy for one country to have three solid guys and I think we have that. We are not superstars. Zach is clearly on it, and Cole did well this weekend at Unadilla, and I have been riding well. I am coming into my own also. We have a solid team and why not go for the win.
MXLarge: Can you explain how it came about getting the call from Team USA?
Covington: Well, actually, after Tomac decided he wasn’t going to race, I thought there was a long shot. With my experience at Matterley, the format and I thought it would be a good option. So, I just sent Roger (DeCoster) an e-mail, and told him I was available and I really wanted to do it. Matterley is one of my favourite tracks and I rode the 450 back at home before Mexico, and it suits me really well. Speed was good and I felt really comfortable on it. I told him I could ride the 450 and I could get a good start and stay up front. So, I sent Roger the e-mail, and he replied a few times and we went backwards and forward and early this week he sent me an e-mail and told me I was in. It’s unbelievable and not many guys get this opportunity and being a racer, you never know if you are going to get that chance. Some other countries is a little different, because there are not always that many to be chosen, but to be one of those three, to be chosen, it’s unbelievable. I am really thankful for the opportunity.
MXlarge: So, the 450, or the 250. Was there any discussion, or Roger just decided? Any talks with you and Zach or Husqvarna as a team?
Covington: Well, he just told me I was in, and I went to the work-shop the next morning, and the team already knew the night before, because the had called and they were already a 450 together for me. So, I found out later on and Zach will be MX2 and Seely MX1. I am looking forward to it, I am really happy on the 250, but the 450 suits me better, so I am looking forward to doing that.
MXLarge: What about riding the 450, you have some GPs left, any temptation to ride the 450 in maybe the USGP?
Covington: I won’t race it at the GPs, I will probably stay on the 250 until after the USGP, and then maybe test a little bit, and after France we will probably stay in France and really get it dialled in.
MXlarge: I understand it’s been 17 years since a GP rider has ridden for America (Ryan Hughes in 2000). Early this year, you jumps at the chance of another team at the MXoN, did you think you had no chance for Team USA?
Covington: Yes, I really didn’t think I had any chance. I actually lined up the Puerta Rican deal last year, when I talked to him at the MXoN, been talking to him all year, sorting things out, and getting the other riders in. It wasn’t in my mind, and the season hadn’t gone to plan, but it’s getting more consistent now, some podiums and it was just enough to get Rogers attention. I think it’s a solid team, maybe not the team with the big names, but this team has a lot of heart and we will give it everything we have I think we still have a good chance to win it and looking forward to it.
MXlarge: Zach has also wanted to be on the team for some time, and finally its happened. Have you had the chance to talk with Zach or Cole yet?
Covington: I haven’t talked to Cole at all, but I have with Zach, in fact he sent me a message after Lommel and said I was killing it, this was before I knew I would be on the team, he said he knew how bad that place sucked. A few days later, he was like, dude, are you stoked. We just talk back and forth, it’s going to be fun, and we think we have a shot to win it and it’s a cool team.
MXlarge: Looking at the teams I guess France are the favourites, but so many good teams, like Holland, Belgium, Great Britain have a good team. But if you look at it, there isn’t really a stand-out team, have you looked at that and thought, wait, we can really win this?
Covington: It’s not easy for one country to have three solid guys and I think we have that. We are not superstars. Zach is clearly on it, and Cole did well this weekend at Unadilla, and I have been riding well. I am coming into my own also. We have a solid team and why not go for the win.
Best of luck to Team USA, and shame on the primadonnas who stayed home.
The Shop
Quit pissing about and spouting nonsense.
An we gunna get him "Stateside" prior to the event, plump him up on a few McD "Happy Meals" an "Relese the Crackin".
Dude... I feel badly about soiling this thread concerning TC, but you are really without reservation the most insecure "internet persona" ever. There is not enough dirt on planet earth to bury the proverbial hatchet. You need help.
Go be a jerk on another site. Please?
As far as Thomas goes.....I'm super pumped for the kid! Not even going to mention other riders whom could have taken that spot , and possibly done better.....but you never know , right? Dude could shock some people kind of like the way Davalos has done these past few weeks. As long as he gives it his best , that all we can ask for.
I know that i would want a guy like that ride for my country instead of some others that hope they don't get picked.
I'm rooting for you guys this fall, 3 great guys that deserves success!
About 5 posters here , cause 99% of the bullshit ....and he's one of them.
Nada. I already whacked him as "The Source".
I think the Mods created him and keep him "alive" as no MF'er from his alleged homeland has Balls like that. Sorta like Tyler... Conspiracy? Who the fuck knows. Clicks and hits mean $$$.
Anyhoo, Thomas Covington, go kick some ASS. Welcome HOME.
Pit Row
I hope they kick ass.
That said, I'm glad Thomas has a spot on the team.
Post a reply to: Thomas Covington on Team USA