Third place in 2009 and runner-up in 2010, Clement Desalle is hoping that his career trajectory continues rising for 2011 when the young Belgian faces his sixth season in the FIM MX1 World Championship and just his second as a works Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1 rider.

Here, Desalle talks about his winter of work, impressions of Supercross and his 2011 title aspirations.

Belgian Clement Desalle is a favoured contender for the 2011 MX1 World Championship.

You spent the winter off-season travelling around a lot…

Yeah, it was pretty busy. I went to Spain, the same as I do every winter but had bad luck with the weather. I had to go back to Malaga again later to find the sun. I was also in Portugal for two weeks just doing physical work.

I then went to California, with the idea to do some Supercross, but again had some bad luck because I was sick before travelling.

You did the bulk of your training at home though?

Yes, I did my physical training at home with some friends who ride Enduro, so that was pretty cool. For the rest I always work with my father and it has been that way for quite a few years now. He knows me better than anyone!

I get some important information and advice from Yves Demeulemeester – the team’s trainer – and make a program.

No holiday before that?

In October I took a rest because I had a few crashes towards the end of 2010 and started working again in November. I went on holiday to Egypt with my girlfriend Andrea; nice weather but I struggled with the food!

Will you take a steady approach to your fitness as in 2010?

Yes, I don’t really like to be totally 100 percent at the first Grand Prix. What I am aiming for is to be in good shape come the start of the season but careful not to push the body too much because it is a long year.

I have to be smart with the program. The work in the winter is different to that during the season, which is about maintaining fitness. When I am riding I like to be able to have something in reserve and not pushing 100 percent all the time.

So your trip to the USA didn’t go so well?

I was only going for 10 days and I felt bad the day before I flew. I then had jet-lag which made it worse. Finally when I got on the bike I tried to ride but couldn’t do what I normally can. It was a bit of a sad experience actually.

Desalle finished third in 2009, second in 2010 and this year is aiming to beat Antonio Cairoli for the title.

You’ve said in the past that you wanted to try some Supercross. Has that view changed at all in the last months?

I wanted to do some tests when I was out there but it is dangerous to ride motocross when you don’t feel well so Supercross was even more of a risk – not a good idea!

I went to Anaheim 1 to watch the race and honestly I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would in terms of atmosphere.

The level and skill of the riders is incredible but it was strange to see how much of the show came first, especially in the stands where I was sitting. To go to America to live and race would be a different world for me.

You had a great first year with the team. What did you take away from 2010?

I think a lot about my riding and now I don’t want to make the mistakes I did in 2010 because I learnt that crashing proves to be so costly. It is never good to crash but there are moments in a race when it is really stupid to go down and I have to take care about this.

How have you evolved the RM-Z450WS for 2011?

With the team we have worked to change some parts in the engine and also some adjustments on the suspension. The pre-season races are all about testing for me, to find a good feeling on the bike and also use the starts to make sure we are good in that area.

I like to have strong power on the bike; I like to feel I have a 450.

People tipped you to do well in 2010 but now you are looked at as a world championship contender. Is it tricky to handle that pressure?

I just want to stay myself and that’s it. The extra attention is part of the sport and it is good, but I want to show people that I’m the same guy.