On Track Off Road No. 194

Jonass was aware that Febvre (2015) and
Gasjer (2016) had trounced MXGP in their
maiden seasons and Herlings (2018) won
the title at the second attempt but he was
figuratively far behind the pack as they took
their positions in the gate in Argentina. “Not
even close,” he smiles at the recollection.
He survived the mire of Mantova at round
five to bag his first piece of silverware –
another mini landmark for his country in
MXGP – but was posting consistent top
six results by the end of the campaign
when he picked up two more rostrum
champagne bottles: one in Sweden and
another in Turkey, nicely erasing any sour
memories at Afyon twelve months earlier.
Jonass’ progress was a boost for the
IceOne team that had bounced from the
stellar breakthrough by Max Anstie in
2017 to disappointment in 2018 as both
the Brit and Gautier Paulin failed to disrupt
the Grand Prix-winning race pace of
the KTMs. Teammate Arminas Jasikonis
struggled for the same impact but the
reorientation by the team to focus on
development rather than straight-up
delivery of premier results had taken an
upward turn.
The results, form and capability also
reinforced Jonass’ decision to change
classes, teams, trainers and gamble from
being an MX2 contender to an MXGP
speculator. He now has exciting prospects
for 2020 being one of the younger
factory riders in the class and will again
have to deal with Prado amongst all the
heavy-hitters.
Talking with Pauls is never dull. Loud of
voice, free with opinions, quick to laugh
and shrewdly self-analytical – all in impeccable
English - he’s a worthy chat. So
we quizzed him on the over-riding emotions,
sensations, feelings, lessons and
general ‘marks’ of 2019 and for what was
a crucial transitional term.
PAULS JONASS & MXGP