Friday, March 1

David Vuillemin: 8 Down 8 to Go.

By B.J. Smith

If Team Yamaha's David Vuillemin can show the same consistency in the second half of the Supercross series, the championship will fall to his favor. With podium finishes at every single round thus far, Vuillemin has come full circle from his disappointing and injury-filled season last year. At the halfway point, here is what's on Vuillemin's mind.

MotoWorld.com: David, this season has been nothing but right for you.

David Vuillemin: It's feels great. I've been riding good, but no so good. I can say I'd like to podium every weekend and that's very important for the points. I just look forward to riding good and riding my best. Smooth and relaxed, I think that's the way I can win races.

MW.com: Obviously you're happy with the three wins and podiums at every round, but what aren't you happy with?

DV: I think I could've ridden a little better last week and also get better starts. When I get a bad start, it's hard for me to get a rhythm. When you start in the front, you get a good pace going and it's way easier. I'm trying to focus on the start and get at least a top three start and it's way easier to race after that.

MW.com: 2002, it's like a re-emergence for you.

DV: Yeah, a little bit. Last year I was hurt all year long and it was very difficult for me because the year before I did 12 podiums and four wins. This winter I worked very hard with my trainer Jacky Vimond and changed some of the things in my life and it looks like it's working right now. Team Yamaha is working great for me. So I guess I just have to ride smooth and race hard.

MW.com: Tell me a little bit about Jacky, a former world MX champion. He's not helping out just a little, he's helped a lot hasn't he?

DV: I've been working with him since August. We're not training really hard like a tri-athlete or something, we are just working and seeing what's good for me for the races. I have a routine right now and it seems to be working good. I just want to stay healthy and continue like that.

MW.com: I don't know. I heard you were seen pumping iron 30 minutes before the main event in Indianapolis.

DV: Indy was a great and I showed everyone that I was strong for 20 laps. But every weekend is different and Indy was two weeks ago so I forgot about it already. I want to look ahead and Daytona is going to be a tough race but after that, it's going to be easier.

MW.com: What's it going to take to keep this points lead. Just take it race by race?

DV: I think I need to win again and get a good start. There are a lot of great riders and if you don't get a good start, it's difficult to come back. Ricky is a tough one and I need to beat him a little more because I don't want him to get too close to the championship. If it's one him and then one time me, that would be great.

MW.com: Do you feel like you've silenced the critics? You weren't even in the television commercials promoting Supercross until a week ago.

DV: Yeah, I know, there were like seven or eight guys on the billboard in Los Angeles and I wasn't there. That's the way it is I guess. That's sport: when you win, everything is great and when you don't, everybody forgets about you. I showed this year that training and being healthy I could be on top. I don't care to be on billboards in LA, what I care is to race and have good results.

MW.com: You've really shown pride to be in America and I think you've won a lot of fans.

DV: I'm proud to be here and to race in this championship. It's big over here. It's where I've always wanted to be. The fans, sometimes they like me, sometimes they don't.

MW.com: With the fans that Jean-Michel Bayle didn't make 10 years ago makes it very difficult for you.

DV: And that's too bad for us. It's now up to us French guys now to work on that and the image. I'm ready for it and I try to get more fans every weekend. It's always great when they're all cheering for you.

MW.com: What's it going to take to win Daytona?

DV: Daytona is a special race. I think the track is really tough and rough. The lap is one minute and a half so that comes to like a 30-minute moto. I think the physical part of it is going to be very important. That's about it, I need to race and be able to do good lap times for 20 laps.