Continuation and end of our interview with Haiden Deegan! After the first part you were able to discover on Motoverte.com, the young American pearl this time evokes her relationship with money, celebrity, girls, Jett Lawrence or the MXGP.
Will Haiden Deegan be able to get his first SX US 250 title before switching to 450? © DR
Is it a sport where the win is played as much on the track as well as?
“Yes, totally. The race is won on the track, but it’s a very mental sport. I think it is one of the most physical sports in the world, and necessarily, it is conditioned by the pilot’s state of mind. If you are able to mentally enter the head of a pilot, then you have a huge advantage! »»
If I tell you that European pilots are better in motocross and better American pilots in supercross, are you valid?
“Yes, finally … I don’t know. This is the question that comes up often, and it’s questionable. When you see what Jett Lawrence did to Matterley … So yes, he is not American, but he came very young in the United States and worked a lot in supercross. Despite several seasons here, we saw him beat the best Europeans in Motocross last year. It was a little the same case for Chad Reed when he arrived in the 2000s. I think that Eli Tomac in good shape this year is able to beat Jett Lawrence in Motocross. It depends on periods and drivers. It’s okay, it’s coming. Even if we look at my side, I had a great season in outdoor where I won the title. I beat Tom, who is French I think? So it proves that we know how to drive in motocross. It depends on so many parameters: if you are in a good day, the track … it’s hard to answer categorically. »»
What is your relationship with the media, in general?
“I don’t mind and I appreciate doing interviews with certain journalists. I don’t really like some media that distorts my words or who want to make me pass for the villain each time, no matter what I will say. Some like to put oil on the fire to make the most audience or views. Afterwards, as long as it brings people back to our sport, I don’t mind. But if not, I am and I remain a pilot. I focus 100 % on races and training. The media can do what they want, I don’t care. »»
In the latest interview with Jett Lawrence in MX Magazine, the latter spoke of the fact that he wants to win everything and break the McGrath record… and you?
“Obviously, we drive to win and break records. After that, that of McGrath, it is strong. But that’s how you move forward and motivate each other. I also want to put my name on the tablets of the records. I am only 19 years old, and for the moment, I do not yet feel legitimate to say that I am able to break records. So yes, I have already won three championships, but for me, it is not yet enough. You have to grow up a little more and win others to claim to be able to beat this or that pilot. So I still have to advance my status, and I will talk about records afterwards. »»
Haiden Deegan knows that he is expected at the turn during his future passage in 450 © DR
What do you think of Jett Lawrence, precisely?
“He’s an excellent driver. If the question is whether I inspire, the answer is yes, just like the best drivers in 450. We always study what is better to understand their success and what they are putting in place to be at the top. Jett Lawrence is one of the pilots who innovate in our sport. This is the reason why it is necessary to be inspired by it. I try to understand his strengths and weak points to take only his assets. »»
Do you think he can become your most serious rival in the future?
“For the moment, I’m still in 250 and I focus only on the title. We will see when it is time to pass in 450. I have no precise idea at present. The day it will happen, yes, obviously, I will try to beat Jett, but it’s not just him behind the grid. »»
The start of the season did not meet your expectations. It is the level in 250 which is higher than expected or was it you who was not ready?
“In fact, I am physically and mentally where I want to be. I know I can beat all the pilots behind the grid with each race. It’s just that we were not ready with the motorcycle settings. The circuits of the west coast are harder and more compact. I think I have settled the motorcycle well for more furniture tracks, like those of the East Coast. It’s normal, it was in Florida that I trained this winter. It was difficult to accept, because when I did not win, I was driving in the same times as the best, and yet I was only 70 % of my capacities. I had a pain in the arms, the motorcycle was not going. I learned a lot from this start to the season, and for the rest of my career, I really have to progress on the focus and the settings of the motorcycle before each race weekend. I still have to progress in this area. »»
How do you see the evolution of supercross in the United States?
“The objective, in my opinion, is to have pilots who make our sport grow by making the media speak of us. If we show interest in a wider audience thanks to our stories outside the track, then our sport will grow, a bit like Formula 1 with Netflix. If we are just there to do our shopping and be monotonous, then that will not help us earn more money and have more known drivers in the United States. I want to try to make this sport grow as much as possible. This is why I will not stop throwing spikes to my opponents or say what I think in interview. »»
You have already made a lot of money in your career. Do you spend it, and if so, in what?
“No, I don’t spend it much. I thank my parents who taught me a lot to best manage this aspect with smart investments. You have to pay attention to the money you earn, because a career is very short. We have already seen a lot of pilots in the past spend everything and find ourselves in delicate situations afterwards. With what I have already won, I have to remain attentive and intelligent. Afterwards, it is sure that I like to have fun, but I have to limit myself. I made my first big purchase with a car, an Audi R8, and I also like to buy creative clothes. These are my main sources of spending. Now, I’m also starting to take an interest in watches. I just bought my first rolex. »»
With his father Brian by his side “Danger Boy” is already a star of social networks © Ph
You spend a lot of time in training and on shopping. Is there room for a girlfriend by your side?
“Frankly, I never had a serious girlfriend. I am not the type to worry constantly for a girl. I am 100 % focused on my career and shopping, so I prefer to discuss from time to time with several girls. I don’t want to bother with a girlfriend and be distracted in my career. For the moment, I think it’s not yet the right time. We will see later, it is sure that my desire will change. »»
What should a girl do to seduce Haiden Deegan?
(laugh!) “I don’t know, she must be perfect!” Let’s say that I have fairly high standards, and that’s normal to say everything. I am young, I earn a good life and I start to be known. I don’t want a girl who spoils everything I started to build, and my parents made it clear to me. I must be smart. »»
You have never left the United States. Would you like to discover other countries?
“It is true that I have never left my home. But yes, I would like. I always wanted to go to Australia. My friend Jacko (NDR: Jackson Strong FMX) has a crazy complex there and since a child, it’s my dream to go. In any case, I want to see a little how it goes in other countries. »»
Could you one day participate in the MXGP World Championship?
“In fact, it is something that we had already talked about with the family: the idea of going to Europe and doing some shopping. Why not, later, after my career, because I find that there is a beautiful championship and it looks pretty cool. »»
Are you talking about the post-carrier, do you see yourself driving after 30 years?
“I don’t think. I would like to have a career with full of success, but short. I want to do my job, earn championships and money, but not necessarily go up to 30 years. I would like to stop before. Basically, give everything for ten years. I am 19 years old, so if you do the calculations, it should stop a little before the thirties. We’ll see. Then I would like to try something else, do other sports. I will still have a whole life in front of me. I would like to combine social networks with my passions and enjoy life. »»
Your opinion on:
Trump’s victory? “My family and I support him 200 %. It was important for us that he won because the country has been stopped for some time. Now we have someone in power who will make things happen. »»
Your best memory in motocross? “My victory in 2023 at SMX at the Coliseum at the. It was very tight, there was a lot of pressure, because the one who won the race won the championship and the $ 500,000. This title counts the most for me. »»
Supercross Ou Motocross? “Rather the motocross because I have to be combative on the motorcycle and I have the physique to hold a round of 35 minutes thoroughly. But the supercross starts to please me well. »»
Your favorite pilot when you were a child? “Ryan Dungey. I had his jersey in my room hanging on the wall and posters of him too. »»
A pilot who scares you? “No one scares me. There are good drivers behind the grid, that’s for sure. But I really have confidence in myself and I know I can beat anyone. »»
The biggest driver in history? “It’s difficult because there have been many great champions. When you think of Carmichael, Stewart, Reed… It’s hard to choose. Now we can also add tomac. »»
Tom Vialle? “He was my main opponent last year. He won the supercross championship. He was the best, there is nothing to say. He’s a very good driver, he was world champion. He is very strong in motocross and really, it was a great moment for me to beat him in outdoor. It was a bit of his favorite playground, so succeeding in being champion in front of him, it was a big step forward for me. But he had me on the supercross. It is a calm and fluid pilot on the motorcycle, while I am very aggressive. We are a bit opposite the two of them. »»
Friends in the paddock? “I don’t really have it to be honest. I have some friends in 450 with whom I get along well. But in 250, it’s still my job to win races and I have no one with whom I could go to dinner. »»
 : “Oh, Jett Lawrence m’inspire mace past que lui…”){kind=link}