Antti Pyrhönen has been active in world motocross championships during 12 years and a third place in MX3 is still possible this season, as he is only a handful of points behind third man and riding strong.

Antti has been Finland’s best rider for the main part of his long career and he has been once again selected for Finland’s 2012 Monster Energy FIM MXoN Team.

Tomi Konttinen, Chief Coach of the Finnish Motorcycling Federation (SML) explained: “Antti Pyrhönen has been selected for the MXoN Team Finland and will race his 10th Motocross of Nations in Lommel, Belgium, 30th September weekend. Harri Kullas is unable to participate in the MXoN due to an injury, so the other riders for the team will be confirmed soon.”

Antti Pyrhönen said: “This year will be the tenth time that I am selected to represent my country. That is a great honor, it shows that after so many years racing motocross, I am still one of the best riders in Finland. Being selected ten times for the MXoN makes me extremely proud.Our best results with the Finnish team were two third places, one in Spain in 2002 and another one in Belgium in 2003. I assume that my teammate Ludde Söderberg will be selected as well. Our third rider should be Harri Kullas, but if he is not fit on time, Santtu Tiainen could replace him.”

Question: With four motos to go in the MX3, what is your target for the last part of the year?

Antti Pyrhönen: My goal is to go for a bronze medal in MX3. In 2009 I took the holeshot in most races with an awesome working Honda. This year we have worked very hard on the bike, but the engine was never 100%.”

Q: You have come at an age (33) to consider your life after motocross. What about next year?

AP: For every racer it is hard to give up what you love doing, what more or less fills your life 24/7. Every day of my life is about motocross and that makes you selfish. It is really a big issue to quit; it will be very tough for me to start what others call a normal life. Of course a new working life will be a next challenge to turn also into a success. I have some alternatives, but my dream is to stay involved in motocross.”
 
It feels like a struggle to step down and fill that hole in your daily life, if you can find a new challenge then it will make it easier. Let’s say it feels like I will continue at least one more year the life I live today. This is my life and I do not want to give it up … yet!

Text: Harry van Hemmen

Photo: Antti in action (Croatia) - Roman Borak image

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