JALEK SWOLL INTERVIEW: TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Sidelined through the Supercross series, rockstar energy Husqvarna’s Jalek Swoll made his race return in the summer’s 250 national Motocross series, which began a few weeks ago. Maybe not yet at the racecraft peak, Swoll has put in some good moto’s. Finishing eighth overall at the track (High Point) he won both moto’s at last year, Jalek is now twelfth in the series. We had a chance to talk to Jalek after his race to capture what’s going on now, and what he may have in store for 2024.

BY JIM KIMBALL

2023 HIGH POINT NATIONAL // FULL COVERAGE

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JALEK, LETS BEGIN WITH HIGH-POINT. YOU TOOK BOTH MOTO WINS LAST YEAR AND LOOKED FAST TODAY. HOW WAS YOUR DAY? Well, I took some steps in the right direction, but no in. I’m getting good starts and riding decent. With my starts I should be up front fighting for wins and podiums. I was in third for much of the first moto, so that was good. But some lappers, and a little mistake caught me. Moto two I had another great start, but went done in turn two, and came back to eleventh. It may not show on paper, but all in all, it was a good day.

Jalek went 4 – 11 at the High Point National, solidifying him a respectful spot inside the top 10.

YOU MISSED SUPERCROSS. BUT YOUR SPEED LOOKS GOOD. You feel it when you sit on the couch for a while, and you can’t do anything with an injury. I rushed to come back because I just could not stand sitting back and watching. I came back a little earlier than I should have been out there, but it is what it is. I got maybe two weeks of good training in, and just had to fight into it, but it has been a fun process. I feel like my speed is still there. Maybe I lacked a little bit of that race intensity, but that stuff comes over time. When I get that and combine that with a little of that fitness that I am missing out on, we will be good.  I think mid-way through the series, maybe even a little earlier, I will be closer to myself. But as of right now, I am doing what I can with the couple of weeks that I have.

LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR BIKE. OBVIOUSLY, YOU ONLY GOT ON IT RECENTLY BUT YOUR TEAMMATE R.J. HAMPSHIRE HAS DONE AWESOME. IS IT QUITE AN IMPROVEMENT FROM WHAT YOU RACED ON LAST YEAR? It is a huge improvement. Last year, you very rarely saw us up front on the starts, and that has been a difference for me this year, especially just being able to get good starts. I think seven out of the eight motos, I found myself up there. So, the starts have been the main difference. We have been making some progress through the year. I made a lot of progress before Supercross that I was not able to show because of the injury but was really comfy there. I missed out on so much. I did not really get to go through a lot of the testing but with where I am at right now, the bike is a lot better. Although there are always little things with bikes that you can try and make better.  We are in a decent spot and comfy there. Also, the more I get comfortable, and my speed comes up, I am sure there will be some other changes that I am going to be looking for. with where I am, I am good and comfy, so that is the main thing when it comes down to racing, to be comfy.

Keeping core temp down, we can see Jalek using an Ice vest as well as an umbrella for shade.

I BELIEVE YOUR CONTRACT IS UP AT THE END OF THE SEASON. CAN YOU SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THAT? Silly season is when you keep your mouth closed, but honestly, I have just done my own thing. I am going to let those things fall into place as they fall.  My only big focus is that I want to come out here and just get back to where I was when we were on the old bike. I did get podiums and that win. I want to get back to that point and get back to where I am always consistently up there. I have not been worried about where I land or who comes after me or talks with me. I have literally just been going out race by race and trying to prove myself again.  It has been a tall glass to try to finish, considering the injury and the limited time and everything and I am not trying to make excuses.  I am just out here trying to be better every day.  I am looking forward to each weekend, and I am going to do good.  All it takes is you doing good and the phone calls start going.  Things will be good and I am not worried about it.  I am just going to take it race by race and worry about myself and things will work themselves out later on.

2023 HIGH POINT NATIONAL // FULL COVERAGE