Meanwhile, Bobryshev also travelled to the US for the winter but returned to Europe in January, and promptly took the Italian International MX crown. Adopting a different approach to his training and racing, the Russian, who is in his seventh year with Honda and enjoyed his best season in MXGP last year, is by his own admission a million miles ahead of where he started his 2015 campaign.
‰ÛÏI think this is one of my strongest starts to a season. I‰Ûªve never felt like this before," the Russian said. "I changed my physical training over the winter and we‰Ûªve done a lot of testing with the team and the bike is really suiting me now so all of that is a great combination. I‰Ûªm excited, but I try to be calm at the same time and to not get overexcited at this point because the season is long and you have to be smart.
‰ÛÏI feel more motivated right now. When the season was over last year I was already motivated for more in 2016, and we have done good work during the winter preparation. I would say I‰Ûªm a different person to this time last year. I‰Ûªm more calm before races and now I have more control over my own race. I feel strong and comfortable and this gives me also lots more positives like mentality gets stronger so it‰Ûªs all coming together on another level at the moment.
‰ÛÏLast year of course it was great to finish third, but the more difficult part for me was to come back. After injury it was really difficult to get back to that level. By the end of the season I was really happy with my results and I felt refreshed because I could lift my head and keep improving, and now I feel better than ever.
‰ÛÏI feel easy after the win in the Italian International championship. I had really good races and I had to push myself also because I crashed and had to come back again. I had a good race with Jeremy so I know I‰Ûªm well under pressure. I know my level and my condition so I know I'm ready for this season," Bobryshev concluded.
On an evolved and improved Honda CRF450RW, the factory pairing will take to the track for the first time on Friday 26 February, and the gate drops on the first race at 1815hrs local time on Saturday.
