Jean-Michel Bayle is back in MXGP as the new Sporting Manager of the HRC Team. In an exclusive interview for Cycle World, JMB talks about Ryan Villopoto’s decision to tackle the MXGP World Championship. Since the debut of the FIM Motocross World Championship in 1957, no rider has ever won both the premier MXGP world title and the AMA Supercross crown. “I was dominating motocross in Europe. I got two world titles but I felt that I had to go to America to show that I was a true world champion,” Jean-Michel Bayle says, commenting on Ryan Villopoto’s arrival on the European scene. With RV’s historic decision, the reigning Supercross champion is sort of “pulling a JMB,” trying to win titles both in Europe and America. “I think Ryan is pushed by the desire to challenge himself. It was the same for me,” JMB continues. “At my time, everybody knew that the level of the American riders was higher. They were doing better in Supercross and Motocross. I was winning in the World Championship, but after clinching the 125 and 250 titles, I decided to move to America to show the world what I was able to do. I wanted to win also there. This was my goal and I think it’s the same for Villopoto. Today he is one of the fastest riders on the planet, but with his choice to try and win the FIM MXGP world championship—instead of chasing his fifth consecutive Supercross title—he can show the world what he is capable of.” 
The wait is almost over. The opening round of the Motocross World Championship takes place Saturday February 28 at at Losail in Qatar. For Ryan Villopoto, it will be his first confrontation with the new world; for the iconic JMB, it will be his return to GP, this time as Sporting Manager of the HRC Honda team of Gautier Paulin and Evgeny Bobryshev. JMB experienced for himself how Europe and America are two different worlds, not only in racing. Moreover, he switched from a world scenario to a national championship. And it wasn’t easy for him at the beginning to be welcomed as a Frenchman in the paddock. “I tried to focus on the sports side, to be always the fastest rider. And if I received some whistles when winning, I tried to continue to be the fastest, without being distracted by what was around.” Continues JMB: “Villopoto is used to racing on one side of the world. Of course it’s the same sport. It’s motocross and he knows how to ride a bike, but it’s a different challenge. It was the same for me when I went to California. Everything was so different. Not only the racing, but living there was different, the people. You need some time to get used to it. I am sure Ryan will be hunting for the title right in his very first year, but it won’t be easy. The unknowns are how fast he will adapt to the traveling and to the different circuits and terrains.” 
There has never been so much expectation at the start of the MXGP season. And if KTM and 8-time World Champion Tony Cairoli are determined to defend the title, Honda simply wants to play an important role in the game. “Honda is not competing to finish in the top 10. They know how to win and we are all working in the same direction with one goal in mind. In motocross, I was always a Honda rider. I was riding Honda when I got my two motocross world championships. I’m really happy to be back and to get involved with the team. I feel the same adrenaline working with Gautier and Bobby. It’s a strong lineup. Paulin is a strong contender for the title, but Bobryshev is a fast rider. He had a very good record a couple of years ago. Last year he was injured, so I’m working with him so that he can be back in shape. I think he will surprise us. As Sporting Manager, I can use all my experience gained in motocross and roadracing to help Paulin and Bobryshev on the technical side and mental side to boost their confidence.” JMB is a living legend. His move to leave Europe and prove himself in the US was the key to his success. With two motocross world titles under his belt, Bayle won the 1991 250cc and 500cc Outdoor motocross national championship as well as the Supercross titles, becoming one of the greatest AMA motocrossers in series history. But he continued raising the bar, switching to roadracing—his goal since he was a kid—and earning great results, including two superb pole positions in the 500cc class. 
“I have always been passionate for all motorcycle sports,” says JMB. “You never stop learning on a motorcycle. I learned a lot in motocross and roadracing. Competing in America was an incredible experience. I have met amazing people throughout my career and I have had the chance to race for Kenny Roberts Sr. and Wayne Rainey , when I moved up to the World 500cc Championship. They were not champions by chance. I learned a lot from them and now it’s my turn. Passion and determination have always pushed me, and I see in my two riders the potential and the skills to do very well.” Questioned about who the main contenders will be in MXGP this year, JMB answers without hesitation: “In my opinion, Tony Cairoli, Ryan Villopoto, and Gautier Paulin are going to be the fastest riders this year. For sure the arrival of Villopoto will raise the bar. Paulin has never been a world champion, and Cairoli has been dominating in the MX1 category for the last six years. It will be an exciting season, but then again, racing is racing and anything can happen. We just have to wait for the season to start.” 
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