MXP Chatter: Dean Wilson

After crashing the day before the opening round of the 2014 Monster Energy Supercross Series, Dean Wilson was sore, and as a result of that crash he struggled a little bit in the first few rounds. Since round one, Dean’s West Coast Lites Series has been a rollercoaster ride of huge highs and some unfortunate lows. However, Dean has kept a level head through it all and despite only one win so far in 2014, Dean knows that he’s riding better than ever. Well, he must have been doing something right because last Saturday night Dean received a call from his good friend Chad Reed about riding some east supercross rounds aboard the 22 Motorsports Discount Tire Kawasaki. Obviously, Dean said yes, and testing for his debut in Indianapolis next weekend began Wednesday. We caught up with Dean while he was on his way home from the Kawasaki test track to get his thoughts on this incredible opportunity.

MXP: What is going on Deano?

DW: Not too much, just driving home from testing Chad’s KX450. How are things in Canada? I heard it’s been a wee bit chilly up there (full Scottish accent).

You heard right, we’ve had a pretty bad winter, so bad that I don’t even want to talk about it. Was today your first day riding the bike?

Yes, today was the first day. We just did a lot of set up stuff like bars and clamps and stuff like that. Although my mechanic, Ollie, won’t be with me for this deal, he came out today and helped out with getting me set up, so I’d like to thank him for that. Even though it was my first day on the bike I felt pretty comfortable, so I think it’s going to be good. I’d also like to thank Reid Nordin from Kawasaki USA for allowing me to go to Chad’s team and do some 450 races.

Over the years Dean has learned to do everything with sheer determination. Although he has gone through some injuries recently, all of his hard work finally paid off with a win at Anaheim 3.

 How does Chad’s bike feel compared to the Pro Circuit KX450 you rode at the Monster Cup in October?

The PC bike I had for Vegas was great and Chad’s bike definitely feels close to that. I‘ll definitely know more after some time riding it. We just need to get the suspension sorted out because obviously Chad and I run different set ups, but after a few days of testing we should be good to go.

Can you take us through how this deal came about. Obviously it all happened very quickly?

For sure. Chad actually called me Saturday night from Dallas after he found out that his shoulder was too injured to continue racing in the Supercross Series. He called and asked if I’d be interested in riding for his team for some eastern rounds. After talking to my sponsors, to make sure they were ok with it, we got it done. I had to wait on a few things so we didn’t get it all sorted out until Tuesday, and then yesterday we began testing.

That’s very cool Dean, congratulations. Let’s go back a few weeks and talk a little bit about the opening rounds of supercross. Considering you were one of the fastest riders in the west Lites class, your first six rounds were pretty up and down.

Without a doubt. You know, I had a pretty good crash right before Anaheim 1 so I began the series pretty sore. Once I got that sorted out and started to feel better I was able to challenge for wins. I should’ve won in Oakland, I did win at Anaheim 3 and then I crashed while leading San Diego. All in all it’s been pretty disappointing to say the least. However, with this chance to go and race some 450 races and then come back strong for the remaining West Coast Lites races in April, I’m very excited.

For 2014 Dean has surrounded himself with some really good people. With Ryan Hughes having Dean is such great shape, this will no doubt help him when he begins racing the 22 Motorsports KX450 next week.

That was a great win at Anaheim 3 for you and your team. With all that you’ve been through with injuries in the last year, how good did it feel to win again?

It was incredible. I mean, you saw me on the podium, I just let it all out. Everyone out there works hard and everyone at one time or another goes through injuries, but when you can rebound from them and get back on top, it really does mean so much.

How tough was that whoop section at A3?

That section was the toughest set of whoops that we’ve seen in a while. Part of what made them so tough was that they weren’t even. The first four were close together and then they got spaced out, so you skim the first four really easy and then slam into the fifth one. They were tough, for sure, and that’s why you saw so many riders struggle in them.

 Even though things haven’t quite gone as planned so far in 2014, you must be happy with your fitness and your speed?

Yes definitely, my fitness is amazing and I think that will really help on the 450 because I feel so strong now. As far as my riding goes, I do feel like my speed has been great, there have just been little mistakes on my part.

Any word yet about what happened to your bike in Oakland?

Yes and no. I have heard what happened but it was just such a freak one off thing that I can’t talk about it.

Fair enough. Well Dean, thanks for doing this and I hope everything goes well in the next few weeks and we get to see you in Toronto. I know your cousin Andrew is probably jumping up and down right now. When we found out that you were riding West Coast Lites, Andrew and I were bummed that you wouldn’t be in Toronto. Now, hopefully you will be and I’m sure all of your Canadian fans will also be happy.

Thanks Chris. Like I said, I’m very grateful to Chad for this opportunity and I hope I can make the most of it. Racing in front of my Canadian fans will be icing on the cake. Hopefully I’ll see you there.

With his tall frame, his good technique and great suspension, Dean is always one of the fastest rider in the whoops. Even when they’re as hard as they were at Anaheim 3.