Christophe Pourcel is an enigma. Many have tried and many have failed to understand the Frenchman on multiple levels, When it comes to riding a motocross bike, most can't understand how he can go so fast and make it look so as easy, he creates the percetion that he isn't trying...but the best are renowned for making it look easy.
On a personal level he has been described as aloof and arrogant or shy and misunderstand depending on who you talk too. But nothing was as confusing as his decision to join Motoconcepts Yamaha for the US motocross nationals.
As that deal reached it's inevitable problems, and subsequent contract termination, the blame game went between Pourcel having to deal with a sub par team or Pourcel not putting in enough effort on or off the bike. Perhaps the truth is somewhere in between and it is better for both parties to go their seperate ways to achieve their own goals, their own way.
But now Pourcel has no more excuses, he is back on his beloved Kawasaki, he is back with a Mitch Payton backed team, he is back with some of the people that guided him to his world title in 2006, and he is back in the World Championship. This time it is MX1.
But can he win? On a talent level, there is no question.. even on the MC Yamaha he passed Reed and Villopoto. The main question is his comfort level and fitness. He has been riding the 450 Kawasaki since 2006, in fact, CP was still practicing on one during the US nationals after he didn't receive a Yamaha to his Florida home. So his adaption to the bike should be no problem. That just leaves the question of fitness, it is believed Pourcel had arm pump surgery after Freestone, and that, combined with feeling good on the bike, should alleviate some of his problems to complete a race riding a 100%.
Can he get fit enough however to ride two days of GP motocross everyday to challenge Cairoli and co? That remains to be seen, but his speed and talent are there and going by this video CP should be a contender for the MX1 podium in Germany this weekend... but he might be a little shocked at the depth of competition!
My guess is Pourcel wants to get his reputation back and have people talk about his talent and speed. Christophe will want to beat his GP rival Cairoli in the GPs and establish himself as the top French 450 rider by beating Frossard. If he does that he will get picked for the MXDN in his home country of France, and no doubt he motivation will be high to win the race individually and as a team. Pourcel will be motivated to put it to Cairoli, Desalle, Villopoto, Reed and Dungey to prove a lot of the naysayers wrong especially in America, who say he can't cut it on a 450.
Christophe Pourcel is back..and he looks good.
Don't write the mercurial Frenchman off, he has come back from much worse!
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