Having joined LS Honda over the winter, Britain’s Shaun Simpson made the perfect start with his new team by winning on home soil as an MX1 rider at the O2 supercross in London at the weekend.
Ahead of the race, the 22-year-old Scot spoke about the challenges that he will experience in the season to come...
Are you ready for the new season?
I’m really up for it this year. I feel like I was able to relax during the winter. I have had two quite intense seasons, both of which were interrupted by injuries, so I took some time out to ensure my body and injuries had healed properly. I had a couple of operations to encourage that process, too. This, in addition to spending plenty of time at home with my family in Scotland, has really re-energised me. I’m itching to get back on the start gate now. It’s an exciting time for me, I’m with a new team, on a new bike, in a new class… 2011 really does feel like a fresh start.
What about your new approach to racing this season?
I wouldn’t really call it a new approach, I’m just doing things my own way this year. My diary and training schedule were always quite structured during the last two seasons, whereas LS Honda is a lot more relaxed and flexible. They have left me to it, and their trust is a welcome change. I have been working really hard in the gym and on the bike, but it’s been awesome having the flexibility to do those things when I want to do them, not when someone says I must.
www.shaunsimpson.com
So you felt at home at LS Honda straight away then?
I did, yes. The team are great and they have done everything they can to make me feel welcome. I do feel comfortable with them. It’s a relaxed environment and that suits me. I like the CRF450 too. In stock trim it’s a great bike, and I know once we’ve dialled in the suspension and fiddled with the settings and stuff I’m going to have a really good race bike. I’m buzzing.
Are you looking forward to your Honda debut at the O2 Supercross this Saturday?
Yeah I can’t wait. It’ll be good to see all the British fans and it feels right that I should make my debut in the UK. As far as the supercross itself goes, I am just going to enjoy it. In fact that’s the plan for my whole season, I just want to have fun and enjoy my racing. If I can do that then I know I will start to get the results I am capable of.
What are your targets / hopes for the first few GPs, and the rest of season?
It’s funny, but I don’t really want to set myself a fixed target this season. I think the most important thing is that I have a solid year, and that I don’t get injured. If I can do that, and score points at every GP, then I’m confident I will finish in a strong position. In years past I have put too much pressure on myself going into the first race because I’ve had my eyes on the title, and if you have a bad race you feel like crap afterwards. This season I don’t want to feel like that. I am confident that at the very least I will be a top ten rider in MX1, and as long as I stay consistent I am sure I will have a good year.
Simpson claimed the win in the SX1 Pro Class at London's O2 Arena on Saturday. 
www.shaunsimpson.com
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