Words and Photos by Frank Hoppen
After many emails and phone calls, we were finally granted access to one of the most exciting rider on the circuit today, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Jason Anderson.
Promises were made that many other people would be around there too. That made us feel better. Just not at his home, but a semi-public place. I guess we were still a little too afraid. The US Husqvarna training facility in the middle of the other tracks in southern California seemed save enough for this, right?
That track is together with KTM on the same level, and as funny as it sounds, every other competing brand is on the same acreage, just in different heights. Pulling into the parking zone we landed right beside their race truck with the big “Ready to Race” sticker on it. For us, that read more like a ‘Ready to Run.’
Seeing Aldon Baker and the complete team with Dungey, Musquin and the Mechanics, we were assured that we wouldn’t be alone with him. As a matter of fact, we never saw ‘his friend’ and are still happy about that. That darn internet is making our days harder than they have to be!
El Hombre (Jason’s cool nickname) was doing 25 laps together with Dungey and Musquin. Very intense. Dungy went first, then the two followed him playing the cat and mouse game. El Hombre is right on Musquin’s back wheel, pushing hard but does not make the pass. They all pull out together and he tells Baker, “My arms are killing me.” Baker comes up with a machine he developed – ‘4arm strong’ – and put that on him.
“The first runs on Mondays are always hard for me. Those are the worst for my arm pump. I know I was faster than Marvin. He held me back but I could not pass him clean,” which Baker agreed. Baker added, “Jason is now in his second year working with me. His preparations are working so good; I have never seen it in the past with other athletes. He pulls hard and never complains. Actually, I have to be careful what I request, because he always puts one more level on than what I ask for.”
We can tell he likes him, thus we asked what El Hombre’s soft spot was. We hoped this would not include ‘his friend’ but Baker was professional and answered, “I don’t really see any. He was already very fit when he came to me. We were able to bring that in a higher level and now he has more power for more laps. We also focused on his lower body (that made us a little more afraid), which needed some work. We had great success. Then again, we always will find something to make better. The most important thing is to keep being in great shape the whole season without dropping off that level.” Jason was listening and nodding. That was as much as we wanted to push our luck. Time to ask him his special ‘Mo Friend’ questions to stay safe!
Jason Anderson has had a great beginning to the 2016 Monster Energy SX Series and sits third in points after 7 rounds. Photo by Frank Hoppen
MXP: Congratulations on that opening win in Anaheim. How stressful was the week after that?
JA: Thank you. Yes, it is always impressive to win a race, even more the opener of a season, and to top that, the first win ever for your brand in that class. You are at the highest point possible. I tried to keep it calm and relaxed with all the media and interviews. That makes a difference; we did not have any stress doing this.
Did you expect to win?
Yes, I did expect to win during the long 2016 season, at least a few times. That this would happen at the first event was not in my thoughts at all. It was crazy. Unbelievable. Our goal now is to collect as many wins as possible. That is what we are working so hard for. And if we do not win, at least we want to be on the podium.
Dungy and you train together a lot. You beat him in the first race. How did that taste?
The same taste we have on the test track here. One day he is faster, the other day I am. We will see how it goes during the season. Working together on starts and techniques helps us all. Respect is very important for us all. Our goal is to be on the podium together, but at the same time, the other goal is to beat each other. We are old enough to do this right and fair and have a healthy rivalry going on.
We watched a video with you riding a two-Stroke. What was that about?
That was really cool and fun. It has been a long time since I rode a two-stroke. I liked it a lot. If you started riding on a two-stroke and get back to it, the grin is big.
Are you looking to possibly race one?
I did a few laps on the SX track. The bike is just not up to date for that kind of riding. It is amazing how different a two-stroke is compared to our race bikes (Baker now pulls up a big smile). Especially at a SX track you can see how easier it is on a four-stroke. The technical advantages are so big; EFI and other components. It is worlds apart from when the two-strokes stopped being developed.
All Factory KTM riders’ reviews called the new KTM a Revolution. Do you feel that about the new Husqvarna too?
The development at Husqvarna is going in the right direction. This year’s bike is already so much better. Their goal is to get better each year. It is a race for them as well to beat the competition. Of course, the fitness level of a rider does help, but the bike needs to be at the top too. The new Husky is just that. We saw that you can win Anaheim 1 with her, so definitely, it is a really great bike.
Jason Anderson and his 2016 Husqvarna 450 have been a lethal combination so far this season. Photo by Frank Hoppen
Since your move to Pro, your team boss has been Bobby Hewitt. What is so special about him?
It is very pleasant to work with him and the whole team. They listen to me and understand what they have to do to help me get where I want to be. Bobby already had a great result with Milsaps in the big class, but it is still a learning curve for both of us. We started as a Lites team, and now have developed with the same people into a Big Bike team. It is an awesome feeling.
Your teammate is Christophe Pourcel. Many call him…well…‘very special’. What do you have to say about him?
He surely is a sly fox and earned his nickname ‘The Crafty Frenchman.’ You can tell that is true when you watch his lap times. We get along well and hang out together in the truck at the races.
Very special, as is Aldon Baker. You have been under his spell since last year. How has that gone?
If you look at all the training, everybody rides bikes, goes into the gym and does his training runs. The difference with Aldon is his structure. In his program everybody pushes the other guy. But if you have a bad day, the others pull you out of it. We help each other, in regular life as well as with nutrition or training. We are a great team with very detailed goals. Only with that can you train following his program.
Ryan and Marvin are your training pals. Is that really positive?
Yes, it really is positive. For my training they are awesome. They have more to look back at than me, but still want to go higher and improve each day. We all motivate each other. If one had a bad race, we try to make him feel better about it; we help each other. Of course we want to beat each other, after all we are racers, but we are doing it while keeping it fun.
Where is your home for now?
I was born in New Mexico, but now I have a house in California and one in Florida. For six months we stayed in Florida. It is a good place for my career and for getting to where I want to be with my training. However, that does not change that my real home is in California. I grew up there and I am a west coast guy. That is where I feel at home.
Last year you were a 450 rookie and had great results. Now with the Anaheim I win in your pocket, is there more pressure on you?
Not at all. Instead it’s the other way around. I put the most pressure on myself. I want that number 1 on my plate! It is something I wanted to have since I was a small kid. I do not care about other impulses or people putting pressure on me. I am already doing that myself. It is not the money aspect. I train very hard every day with my dream for winning the title in my head. That is why the pressure after winning the first race this year is not bigger at all, because I live with that pressure all the time.
With Thor, did move you to their King position, replacing Villopoto? How does that feel?
That is something very special. I love to work with Thor. We signed a two year contract with them last year. It fits very well with Husky and Thor’s founder Thorsten Hallman, who won titles with Husky. I want to stay with them and end my career with them as he did and also RV.
In Anaheim 2014 you put a legendary block pass on Seely. What were you thinking when you had him in front of you again in Anaheim?
It does not matter at all who it is; Seely or whomever. We are getting paid to be on the podium. I always try to get by anybody, first without any contact. Sometimes the tracks don’t help and we touch each other. I still try to keep that fair. The financial difference between a 3rd and a 4th place for us factory pilots is huge, especially in the point counts for the championship. It could come down to one point in the end.
Jason’s hard work and determination has helped make him one of the elite riders in the sport today. Photo by Frank Hoppen
What is your strong side, SX or MX?
I am equally strong on both series. Outdoors are pretty rough, though, but at my last outdoor season I had four more podiums than my 450 Rookie-SX season, which was two podiums. I am looking forward for the outdoors to bring home some wins. The new Husky will help, for sure.
Back to the beginning, how did it all start for you?
My uncle raced MX. My grandparents bought me a KTM50 for my 6th birthday. That went to a 60, then we followed the Amateur Nationals throughout the USA. After my first Loretta Lynn’s, I got a Suzuki contract. In the next years I also rode for Kawasaki and KTM to finally end up with Bobby, which is where I am today.
How did Villopoto’s end to his career play out in your eyes?
You need to look at it the right way. He raced his whole life in the US – 30 big races a year. They take their toll. When he went to the GPs, his heart was not in it anymore. I can understand that. I also thought about that move at the end of my career, but then again I think that everyone at the end of their career is all done in their heart and head. Villa was exactly at this point. I always want to ride MX for the rest of my life, but at one point you are just wasted and you want out of racing. You just want to go out and have fun riding. I doubt that I will still have the energy to follow the MXGP season when I end racing in the US. In my eyes, that was the point Villo was in, but that is only me thinking. I am not him. Best is to ask him, I guess.
Husqvarna US and Europe are working closely together. Does that help you with things like settings and preps?
We all are using the WP suspension and are working together with each adjustment from each rider. We can test and find out what works for whom. But I have to admit that our bikes are pretty much the same, just with a little fine tuning. It really does help each other that way.
Last questions: What will happen if you take the title home this year?
Well, the last race is in Vegas will be the best place to have a big party, right? (laughs) No matter where that happens, we will be having a great time when that happens. I would love to have a few days to myself and get some rest. Not for too long, though. The outdoors are waiting and too many appointments in my calendar are scheduled. But whatever happens is not that important. What is important is that the dream of my life has become real. That is what many dream about, but only a few are lucky enough to make it there.
Profile Jason Anderson:
Nickname: El Hombre
DOB February 17, 1993
Place of birth Edgewood, New Mexico
Home Clermont, Florida
Height 188 cm
Weight 75 kg
Team: Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
Bike: Husqvarna FC450
Music: Indie Rock
Strecke: Gravel Pit
Hobbies: Xbox, Snowboard, Friends and Family
Instagram: @elhombre_21