Jesse Robinson lost his factory Husaberg ride over Christmas but instead of letting it get him down, he came roaring into the 2010 season on a new bike and in a new class. While he finished the 2009 season 13th in the XC1 class, this year Robinson has taken the XC2 class by storm with two podium finishes on his KTM. Robinson shares in Tuesday Toolbox what happened with Husaberg, and what he wants to accomplish this year in a competitive XC2 class.
Photo By: Shan Moore
Jesse Robinson is on a roll, with two podium finishes so far this season.
How long has it been since you've seen results like this? I had a couple real good rides in 2008 and I almost podiumed at Snowshoe behind Nate [Kanney] in fourth place. But I haven't had consistent rides since probably 2007.
We updated people in Quick Fill a few weeks ago about what happened with you and your Husaberg ride. Can you go through again what exactly happened? Husaberg picked me up halfway through the season last year. I was starting to put in good results towards the end of the season with them and then I broke my hand. I didn't do so well after that but Husaberg understood. I was making good headway for this season and then they got a budget cut and couldn't afford to sponsor me any longer.
After you found out you were no longer going to be with Husaberg, what did you do? Well, at first I just didn't know what to do. I hadn't been looking for sponsors because Husaberg was taking care of all of that stuff. So, I sat down, and thought about it and realized I couldn't do it if I had to buy the 2 bikes, and work on them myself. But when they allowed the 2 stroke in the XC2 class, I decided to jump on that because I knew I could afford to ride that. So basically I decided to give it one more try before we called it quits. I'm riding a KTM and I feel a lot more comfortable on it, too. I can put it where I want it more than the 450.
How were you able to ride this year and buy bikes? I won some contingency money from Husaberg, and my dad told me that I should try to get through it one more year and not take it so serious and just have fun. So I decided to go out and make a farewell tour through the racing season.
Well, you do look like you're having a lot of fun out there, and you have two podiums under your belt. If the season progresses like it is, is this really your last year? Well, if the economy doesn't turn around then yes, it probably will be.
Why did you decide to move from XC1 to XC2? The rule changed about the 2-strokes which are less expensive to ride, and it's 50 bucks a race cheaper to run in that class. And I figured out that the class pays the same for results. I'm also racing head-to-head with some guys instead of just riding around.
Photo By: Shan Moore
Robinson said he wants to have fun this year. So far, it looks like he is.
You said you'd lost about 10 pounds when you got with Husaberg, you look like you're in even better shape now. My fitness level was good enough to do the results that I can do now. If I get my fitness up I can hold these guys off longer. When you're competing like this, it makes you want to go out and train more and ride more, now that I'm in a race, instead of riding by myself.
What did you do during the off-season? I trained all winter long hoping to come up swinging for Husaberg. But I got cut around Christmas. Through the month of January I didn't do hardly anything.
Why nothing during January? I was feeling kind of down and out. I didn't know what I was doing. It just took the wind out of my sails. I had been going hard since end of summer. Riding the Husaberg gave me a new life racing. Then I had to turn my bikes in. The Husaberg was awesome and that just took the wind out of my sails. But at the end of January, I went to Florida to train.
Did you think you were going to come back so strong? You had much better runs overall in Florida and Georgia this year than last. I never considered myself a good sand rider, nor do I ever do well at Georgia. In 2006 I got like 10th overall. Bu the competition is a lot stiffer now. Georgia is one of my favorite tracks. I told my dad if I got through with good results, the rest of the year should get better. Steele Creek is usually a decent ride for me and I start doing really well around Big Buck and Lorettta's.
Georgia wasn't a great race for you in 2009, I think you finished about 22nd in your class. But you definitely improved this year. What's fueling this drive? Is it the new bike, or the new class?
I think it's just having more fun and just being back on the bike. I had some problems with suspension in '08 and in '09 I didn't have any help until Husaberg stepped in. I struggled with old bikes in 2009 until then. So I was already disgusted having to ride the same bikes. I really started picking up the pace with Husaberg and really getting my program together.
And now who is helping you? My dad helps me a little bit but as far as getting my bike prepared it's just me. Dad puts the graphics on and he double checks the bike for me when we get to the track. But through the week, when it's time to wash it and prep it, that's up to me.
It's a shame this could be your last year. You have to weigh out what it's worth. If there is no money to be made, why waste your chops to advertise for people when you can work at home and start your family life.
Alright Jesse, is there anyone you'd like to thank?
I'd like to thank my sponsors Maxxis, Moose Racing, Clockwork Gas Tanks, Cyrcra, DP Brakes, Axa Financial, Asteriks, Moto-X, Master Tech, Fun Cycles, PG Graphix, Genuine Dirt Racer.
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