FREDDIE NOREN INTERVIEW: LOOKING FOR MORE AT 2023 RED BUD NATIONAL

Originally from Sweden, Fredrik (Freddie) Noren has been a fixture on the AMA Motocross circuit for many years now, both as a privateer and factory rider. Starting out the 2023 Supercross season as a privateer for Madd Parts Kawasaki, Freddie was picked up by Suzuki’s factory HEP Motorsports team for outdoors, with little in-between time. While maybe not a constant podium guy, the 31-year-old has a unique brand adaptability, that along with his work ethic makes him a sought-after rider. His best motocross championship season (2019) has seen him finish eighth overall – which is coincidently his place he is in the 2023 standings now. Will he improve his overall result from 2019?  We caught up with a disappointed Noren after Mt. Morris, where he finished 12th overall, to see what he thinks.

By Jim Kimball 

FREDDIE HOW WAS MT. MORRIS FOR YOU? It was not an ideal weekend. Any finish outside the top ten is not good. I had a problem in the first moto and stalled it, but I came from last to 14th. In moto two I was in ninth much of the race until Garrett Marchbanks zapped me at the end and I finished tenth. Thunder Valley was not that great for me either.

BUT YOU ARE EIGHTH IN POINTS NOW, AND NOT THAT FAR FROM THE TOP FIVE. I am happy to be in eighth. I gained a couple of spots last weekend. At Thunder Valley, I went 10-10 for 9th overall and you would think I would be happy with that, but I am pretty upset. I did not ride very well at High Point. I had good starts,  which is a positive thing, but just did not have the pace. I struggled to feel the flow and enjoy it out there, to put it that way.  For me, this was kind of a salvage weekend.  I just got through the weekend with good points and being healthy, so that is a good thing. Besides that, not very fun.

Freddie moved over  to the Twisted Tea/Progressive Suzuki team for the 2023 450 Nationals.

IT’S NOT FITNESS. WAS IT JUST MORE COMFORT? Yes, in moto one at Thunder Valley, I started well.  I was in fourth place for the first couple of laps before I got passed. I stayed in fifth for a while but was fighting it all day.  There is no reason for me to start in fourth and end up tenth. It was the same, in the second moto. My start was not as good as fourth but probably around seventh or eighth place, but there is no reason for me to lose any spots at that point.  So, for me to go 10-10 there, I am not very pleased with that, but it was the third race in and there are many races left to go and, as you know, it is a new team for me as well.  We are learning and getting better each and every weekend.  There is positive to take away from the weekend but  I am not very happy. 

THE TRACKS HAVE CHANGED SOME FROM LAST YEAR HAVEN’T THEY? Yes, it is weird. I really enjoy these race tracks, but I am not a fan of the changes. I like the old tracks better. I usually do like Mt. Morris, but   I don’t really have my best results here. I am not sure why. I’m looking to put this behind me and work forward on this. I just must keep on keeping on.

Sitting 8th in points Freddie looks to consistently break into the top ten throughout the remaining season.

I HAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT THE EAST COAST TRACKS ARE BETTER FOR YOU. Yes, I agree.  I live in Charlotte; North Carolina ,and I practice at ClubMX all the time— that is the only place that I practice. The dirt we ride on is a soft type of material, so I’m definitely looking forward to getting to Red Bud. Mt.Morris was a harder pack, like the first couple of rounds. I am really looking forward to it once we get to Budd’s Creek and  those tracks over there.  It is going to be a lot of fun.  It was good to have a weekend off  this past week.  I think it is just going to get better.  I know more injured guys will probably be coming back.  I am not sure when Justin Barcia is coming back, but I think I will be able to pick up the pace quite a bit.  

DURING SUPERCROSS YOU WERE ON A PRIVATEER KAWASAKI TEAM.  I WOULD IMAGINE IT IS QUITE DIFFERENT BEING ON A SUZUKI. Definitely, it is two different bikes, two different teams, so everything is different.  The Suzuki iss really good and has a really good base to it.  It is really more fabout ine-tuning it.  We are going really, really fast and to find that little extra, it takes some fine-tuning. We just have to make it a bit better to where it suits me better.  Each rider is a little bit different,  I had four days on the bike before Pala.  Then, I practiced one day between the rounds and then I flew back after Hangtown, so today was probably my tenth day on the bike.  So, it is a very limited time. Considering that, I think we are doing well.  I had expectations of getting through the first three and then trying to start laying down the hammer. I think it will get better from here.

With results 14-10 at High Point, Freddie heads into Red Bud with high expectations.

WHAT WILL MAKE IT  BETTER FOR YOU.  The more seat time the better, the more testing the better. I’m going to build each time I ride.

COULD THIS TURN INTO SOMETHING FOR NEXT YEAR? Possibly.  We will see.  At the moment,  we are pretty far away from next season, but obviously, people do make their deals pretty early on.  I definitely want to keep on racing and keep on building on my Supercross skills as well that get better every year as well. We will see.  

2023 RED BUD NATIONAL // FULL COVERAGE