In His Own Words...
Jason Crump on the GP

2004 World Champion Jason Crump is a man on a mission in 2006. His GP campaign never really got going last term and this will be his last chance to 'put one over' on great rival Tony Rickardsson. Speaking recently on Sky Sports and in his autobiography, the Aussie reflected on his unsuccessful title defence and looked forward to the new GP season:

Jason on his 2005 GP campaign:

"Last year didn't go how I wanted, but that's life, life doesn't always go the way you want. I think last year I probably wasn't at my best enough and Tony was above and beyond the best we'd seen of anybody ever. He kicked our butts and made us look silly. I've reflected hard over the winter and changed a lot of things, changed engines, had a rest mentally and physically, done some training, been out on my Moto-X bike a lot and remembered why I liked racing my motorbike in the first place."

Jason on the season ahead:

"This year so far it's been pretty good. I'm enjoying my racing and I've won a few heats as well. I've changed engines. I was with Jawa for a long time and I've gone to GMs now. Apart from that, I've had a bit of a rest mentally, gave myself a holiday and spent some time with Mel and the kids. Remembered what the really crucial things in life are and so far this year my speedway has benefited from that break. There's no secret, if there was bar of chocolate I could eat that would guarantee I'd beat Tony then I'd have a box of them and take them to every meeting I went to. There's none of them around.

The fact that Tony has announced that it will be his last season before he moves on to four wheels isn't going to affect my mindset too much, other than to say that this probably will be the last chance of beating him.

But nothing is for ever. Rickardsson starts 2006 level with everyone else on no points. If he performs this year as he did last, he'll be the benchmark again, but hey, several of us will go into the season determined to show that he can be beaten, that he's just another guy, that maybe it's time for a changing of the guard."

Jason on what the winning the title means to him:

"It was a big deal for me to win the World Championship and I've been through just about every emotion to try and win it. When I finally did win it I couldn't even stay on my bike, that was a big relief. Maybe last year was just too soon to go racing again against somebody like Tony at that time. Right now I feel pretty good, I'm excited and I'm ready to go.

I have learned not to get too far ahead of myself. It's one step at a time. This year is yet another season in which, hopefully, a lot of little steps may take me to where I want to be. I'm encouraged by the thought that last season, things went a lot better for me in the later GP rounds, and need to focus on that. You win things by getting your own act together. Get that right and the consequences can take care of themselves."  

This article was first published on 20th April 2006