Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jeremy van Horebeek has been close to the podium in both the Grand Prix of Netherlands and the Grand Prix of Bulgaria. Finishing fourth on both occasions, the Belgian rider has been consistent, but not good enough to battle for the top three spot.

With 74 points to his name after two rounds, he will go into the Grand Prix of Italy this weekend with hopes of finally making the podium. His third place finish in the second moto of the GP of Bulgaria proved that he is fast enough to be top three, but he needs to work hard against the likes of Jeffrey Herlings, Tommy Searle and Joel Roelants.



We caught up with Van Horebeek and asked him about his season so far and also his preparation for 2012.



Q: Jeremy, you looked solid in the first two rounds, but you also looked a little tired in Valkenswaard. Why was that?



Van Horebeek: Riding is going really good coming into the 2012 season. We went riding a lot with the bike and we went to Spain, Italy, did some sand riding in Holland, so I thought I was ready for Valkenswaard. However, I felt a little tired in Valkenswaard because we rode a lot. I didn’t do that well in Valkenswaard, I mean two times fourth isn’t that bad, but I could have done better.



Q: How did you feel after taking the weeks rest between Holland and Bulgaria?



Van Horebeek: Going into Bulgaria I felt fitter, and that is good.



Q: So far you haven’t really been running up the front, can you run with guys like Herlings and Searle?



Van Horebeek: I think maybe I can run with Jeffrey, I don’t know, maybe I can be the underdog and stay with those guys. I don’t have the pressure to do it. I want to stay as close to those guys as possible and I am not scared of them on the hard-pack. We will see, I take it step by step.



Q: Being in the Red Bull KTM Factory team there is always pressure to keep your job. You need some good results this year before moving to the MX1 class in 2013 or your spot on the team is in danger or not?



Van Horebeek: I don’t know, if I finish every GP in the top five I will be close at the end of the season for the top three and then we will see if KTM keep me or not, I hope they keep me. Otherwise I need to look for another team. It’s a long season and I focus on this year and make some good races.



Q: It’s a long way away, but moving to the really competitive MX1 class in 2013 is going to be tough. Have you ridden the 350 machine much?



Van Horebeek: I have ridden the 350 a few times and it’s really good. I like it. I have a lot of muscles and I can handle the bigger bike, I think the bigger class will be good for me.

Photo: Jeremy Van Horebeek - Ray Archer image

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