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FC: How did you feel during the 1/2 final?
KB: Like always: rather chilled.... Without any stress, but realizing I had to avoid any mistakes. I rode well, but not super. And I hate section in a area that hold me back, I need to advance. Not my kind of course, I don't like to stop on a course.
FC: Before discussing the final, can you explain the new line-up of the final?
KB: Dani Paramon, UCI-member for Trials, already had the idea for Ripoll, but strangely enough it wasn't applied. Also riders have to realize it's not to annoy them, it's a decision made for the media and the crowd. That way it's easier to follow the riders, which is important. Suddenly the semi-finals are so much more important. One day it might help you out, another day it may not: that's sports...
FC: How did you experience this kind of riding?
KB:I liked it. I was after Gilles which was good for me. I got my revanche of the 2008 World Cup race in Knokke where he was following me due to some testing of new line-ups as well. Like I said: one day it helps you out, the other...
FC: After round 1, you were in second position. You were the only one not reaching 5 penalty points! What went on in your mind: attacking to stay ahead or manage my own points while waiting for an opponent to make a mistake?
KB: Well, on the rocky area I almost had 5 points. But I got away with only 4, which was a lucky one for me. At that moment, I was troubled with the heat and I was tried at the end of area 5. That's why I take 4 points and also lost track of Gilles.
But the next area, he hit 5 points while I only had 2. I rode my race, and only my race... Never 5 points and never freaking out, even when I saw Gilles getting 0 on the first area which I couldn't. With or without Gilles in front of me, it didn't change my decisions. I knew other riders might make mistakes on places where I could avoid them.
FC: You didn't sit back during the second round. You had some clean areas where area 2 seems decisive! You put Gilles Coustellier on 7 points in only two areas!
KB: Indeed, when checking out the course with my brother I said I would play save in that area. Otherwise I would be taking too much risks. Gilles tried and he got his results and I got mine... But Gilles didn't get points where I played save, but 10 metres further on the course...
Today there might have riders jumping higher than me, but they don't have my competition experience. I'm already riding on the highest level of the world for 10 years (I started in the era of Ot Pi and Canas while being 17 years old). Other riders like Vincent and Gilles are only 5 years on this level, that's quite a difference.
FC: What's your feedback on the line-up in the final where one racer starts after the other? Does it change the way of riding?
KB: I like it! It's always easy to say you follow the other rider and wait for his mistakes, but you still have to do that... Not?
FC: Together with Gilles Coustellier in the lead of the World Cup series... Conquering Kenny is back?
KB: Definitely. Main differences with 2007-2008 are two extra hours of sleep, a completed house, 150 shows less during the year, 5 flights less and a new trainer of Olympic level.
And of course, the frustration: I lost too much last year; some people wrote me off or had at least doubts about me and last but not least, I want to be the rider with the most international titles when I quit. That's already the case, but I'm not yet satisfied.
FC: What is your schedule for the next weeks?
KB: The next week I'll use to rest and then continue to complete my goal: winning every competition in which I start... |
