Catching Up with...Dean Wilson

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Scottish-born, Canadian-raised Dean Wilson of the Monster Energy Pro Circuit team is in quite a quandry with his status for the upcoming Motocross des Nations. He rode for Canada last year but with everything that always surrounds the Canadian team, he's had to make some tough decisions in regards to who he wants to ride for. You could easily make a case that Wilson has been the rookie of the year this season down south with his blazing speed and if you take away his little immigration snafu earlier this year that caused him to miss some indoor races, Wilson would be top three indoors and out. I called up Dean to get his take on his season and the little MXDN thing...

DMX: Dean Willson, you’ve been great this year and although the results didn’t show it, you were one of the fastest guys this past weekend in Washougal.

Dean Wilson: Yeah the weekend was ok. My starts were good so that was cool, just first moto I was up front and then on the second or third lap I crashed pretty hard.  I went down pretty good, once I got up I got going again and I came through the pack for sixth. It was a good comeback but I wasn’t really happy about it to be honest. In the second moto I got another great start, I would’ve had the holeshot but I let off a little bit. I was close to the front and then in the little corners, I washed out and there was, like, a million people riding over my bike so by the time I got going, I was pretty much last. So I charged up to sixth and ended up fifth overall. I liked the track and everything and I felt good but it was just one of those weekends I guess.

I saw your handlebars after the first moto and they were pretty bent and they are Renthal Twinwalls so it must’ve been a pretty good crash. What did you do?

I just came over the rollers and my back wheel slid out going up the face, it popped out of the rut and I highsided. My bars were super forward and bent so I just had to deal with it. It was a pretty hard crash and it sucks that no one got it on camera.

Nice move on Eli Tomac at the finish also, you got him in the last five feet…

Yeah, I was pretty pumped on that really. For the first time, I charged to the finish line flag and I saw him ahead of me. I didn’t think I could get him and I’m not sure what he did but I was able to make some time up on him.

Wilson in the rain at Millville on his way to a solid second place in the second moto.

Overall you have to be pretty happy with your season, third in the points with four races left huh?

Yeah, pretty happy I guess. It’s good, I think I would’ve been top three in supercross also and that would’ve been great to be top three in both. Oh well, things didn’t go my way there. I’m bummed a little bit because I was second in points but we have some time left for me to get back up there. So we’ll just keep working away.

If you get a permanent number, what are you leaning towards right now?

I’m not too sure really, we’ll see how it goes. I like the 108, it’s been good to me. 28 also, I was 28 on 60’s and 80’s, that would be cool. Tyla (Rattray) has that now and I don’t think he’ll keep that. So to be 28 would be cool. I don’t know, we’ll see.

What’s the plan for these two weeks off?

I’m riding this week and then next week I’m going to miss out. I’m going to X Games this week to support (Josh) Hansen and then hammer out a little bit of riding. Next week I’m going to be at Loretta Lynn’s from Tuesday to Friday. So it’ll be nice to support my buddies and I have to do some stuff for Kawasaki like riding the 2011 bikes. It should be fun, I’m looking forward to it. Then the next week, I’ll start getting ready for Unadilla.

Have you re-signed with Pro Circuit for next year?

Not yet but things are looking good and I think I’ll end up there next year. I’m really happy to be there in the next few years but nothing is signed quite yet.

Wilson has become a big hit with his speed, style and personality.

What’s going on with the MXDN and you? The Canadian team isn’t really coming together like we all want it to and you can ride for Great Britain. Have you decided yet?

Yeah I have, I’ve decided to race for Great Britain this year. I haven’t heard who my teammates will be yet but we’ll see. You know, I rode for Canada last year and I feel a little disrespectful turning my back on them and riding for Scotland but there’s a lot of politics that goes with Canadian des nations team and Great Britain called me a bunch in the last two months. You know I’m legitimately Scottish, I’ve lived there the longest in my life and that’s where my family is. There’s no question in the fact that is where I am from. I’m pretty pumped to go ride for Great Britain but it’s a shame that I kind of have to leave Canada hanging, I have great supporters and friends in Canada that helped me out. It’s pretty sad but I have to carry on and do what I have to do.

How much does the lack of funding and the disorganization of the Canadian MXDN team have to do with your decision to ride for Great Britain?

Not much really, I think it would be awesome if we could have the best guys all ride together. I think that if we sent Facciotti, Klatt and myself I think we would do great. Honestly, I am Scottish, that’s where I’m from and I don’t think that the way that Team Canada is run has anything to do with it. Even if we had the best team, I don’t think the politics of it all would matter.

Well it might get some people upset but you rode for the country once and the Canadians will just have to share you.

Yeah, I mean I have friends and supporters up there that helped me out when I was young in sponsoring me and stuff, I rode a couple of the Canadian nationals and had a lot of fun up there. Maybe one day I’ll be back there, you never know. Canada is my second home but Scotland is my first home.

I feel like you’re making an impact with the fans down here and the media, people really like you and you’re an outgoing kid. Can you feel yourself gaining fans?

Oh yeah, for sure. I’m working hard and when you work hard, good things happen and I think people can see that out there.

What’s the best part of being a professional motocrosser besides the chicks?

Well, obviously the chicks but the fans are so awesome to me because like, when you’re super tired and there is a corner in the back somewhere on the track and they keep you going and trying hard because they’re cheering you on. They’re all drunk and stuff but they’re into it and it makes me ride harder. It’s pretty cool.

Cool Dean, have fun at X and give Hanny my love.

(Laughs) Yeah, will do.