Innocents Abroad

Innocents abroad

RACE WATCH

In a motocross crisscross, two Americans will swap spots on the international scene. After seven years in Europe, Tallon Vohland, 26, will return to the U.S. with the Honda FMF team to contest the AMA 125cc Supercross and national titles. Mean-while, former factory Kawasaki pilot Ryan Hughes will leap the pond, replacing Vohland as the sole U.S rider contesting the world championship.

We caught up with Vohland as he was setting up shop in Corona, California. “I’m excited,” he said, his voice tinged with a continental accent. “Supercross is quite different from what I’ve been doing. I do have some background in Supercross because I raced it in 1990 and ’91. So I just need to fall back on that, which is why I moved to Los Angeles-Honda has a couple tracks that I can ride every day.

“In Supercross, technique is important,” Vohland continued. “Outdoors, you have a lot of room. You don’t need such precise timing. Outdoors, you jump as far as you can and just make it happen. In Supercross, you can’t just make it happen. You’ve got to be doing it right.”

Hughes was one of the few top racers looking for a ride at the end of 1998. He found one-overseas. Hot off a profitable second-place showing at the U.S Open of Supercross, the 25-year-old Californian signed a two-year contract with Pamo Honda, which is based in northern Italy. “Ryno” will carry America’s colors in the FIM 250cc World Motocross Championship.

“I went over to Greece in September,” he explained. “Kawasaki wanted me to try and help Sebastien Tortelli win the championship. But Honda protested me, because I didn’t have my entry in 30 days in advance, so I didn’t get to race. So I was just walking around looking at everybody’s team. I knew (Honda factory rider) Pit Beirer from the Motocross des Nations, and he introduced me to his team manager, Paul Casper. We started talking, one thing led to another and that next weekend I signed a deal with him.”

Few motocrossers make the leap to Europe. Familiar surroundings are easier, and not many young men getting paid to race motocross stateside would take a chance on an overseas stint. “I think a lot of riders are kind of ignorant,” Hughes offered. “A lot of people are afraid to change. Everything is set and planned for them. They can ride around here and make $50 grand. But I don’t want to race a motorcycle for $50 grand-it’s too much risk. If I was by myself, maybe I would have stayed. But I have a family and a future to think about.

“When Vohland went over there, he was young and he went over there by himself,” Hughes continued. “If I went over there by myself, it’d be tough. Since I’m bringing my family, there’s not much that I’ll miss here. It’s not like I’ll miss my house. I’ve been racing Kawasakis for 10 years, been racing AMA Nationals for 10 years, so it’s kind of a new start for me.”

“To be honest, I don’t think he knows what he’s in for,” Vohland said when told of Hughes’ plans. “For an American, if you live in Belgium, England or Holland, it’s a lot easier, and you’re more likely to be acclimated quickly. But he’s going to Italy, like I did. It’s very difficult. I had to learn the culture.”

Plans call for Hughes to head overseas in February for testing, then compete in the last rounds of the Italian championships. The GP season kicks off March 20. “It’s going to be hard the first year,” Hughes admitted. “So I think top three would be good. And then in 2000, I’ll try to win the championship.” -Paul Seredynski