Martin Vaculik is defending the title of European Champion this season. According to many experts he has a great chance to triumph again because he has really fast bikes. The rider himself is very calm about SEC and doesn’t put any additional pressure on himself.
- Martin, soon there is the inauguration of Speedway European Championships in Gustrow. Most of the riders don’t know this track, you neither?
- Yes, like most of the riders I have never been riding there. However I’m rather not afraid of it. I believe that my bikes will be fast and we won’t be looking for the right setups too long.
- This year you are defending the title. Do you think that it will be more difficult to defend it than to win it for the first time?
- Honestly, I’m not thinking about it this way. For me last year European Championships finished at midnight after the tournament in Rzeszów. Now there is the new series and everything starts again.
- What are your memories connected with that tournament in Rzeszów? I’m asking because, as you said one day, you didn’t expect to win the title…
- Yes, that’s true – I didn’t expect it. It was great tournament for me and nice surprise at the end of not very good season.
- Which rival are you afraid most?
- Well, generally I’m not afraid of any rider, with who I am supposed to race but I respect everyone. The same situation is in European Championships. I respect every rival but I’m not afraid because you can win with everybody.
- Your form this season is really incredible. The riders, who will take part in SEC often point you as the main candidate to win. Do you feel some kind of pressure connected with it? Does it interrupt you in some way?
- No, nothing like that (laugh). It’s an honor for me that my rivals say these things because the effects of my hard work are appreciated and it’s very nice.
- So, what is generally the secret of your great disposition this season?
- No, no – I won’t tell you this (laugh).
- Don’t you regret that you are not present in Grand Prix? With such form you would be somewhere at the top…
- No, I don’t regret at all. This season I’m not ready for Grand Prix. Of course I really want to come back there but not yet.
- So let’s come back to European Championships – do you think that there is stronger lineup this season?
- To be honest, I don’t know the whole lineup but I’m convinced that this series will make another step forward. I’m saying that on the base of last season which showed that this event has a great potential.
- Do you treat SEC in some special way?
- No, as usually. It’s another tournament this season.
- You said that you are not thing about the fact that you are defending the title but what is your minimum in SEC?
- I want to do my best in every heat and give a lot of fun to the fans, who really like our rivalry in SEC, through my racing.
