Jalek Swoll Interview: Detroit Press Day
February 02, 2024
How you feeling? About to kickoff the season!
We’re here! I’m looking forward to getting out on the track and just riding.Thoughts on the new bike?
It's good. Obviously it comes down to getting good starts tomorrow and showing you guys that it's good.It's not only a brand new bike for the whole world, but it's also a new team for you. Talk about the additional difficulty that comes with that.
It's a new team, but familiar faces for me, so not too bad for me when it comes down to new personnel and all that kind of stuff, but just getting on a new frame was probably about the biggest thing for me. It's the biggest difference and all in all, I'm stoked. I've had a lot of fun getting to know this bike and knowing the ins and outs. So yeah, I’m looking forward to just going racing.How much time have you had on it in the offseason?
I rode it a little bit before everybody else knew, obviously. But all in all, training wise, I'd say since a little bit before November.Do you expect the bike to be good to go tomorrow or do you think there'll be a learning curve?
There's always learning curves. Doesn't matter what bike you're on. When I was with Husky, that team's been around for a while and we still had some things that we have to figure out then too. So I don't expect it to just go scot free: no problems at all. But we're in a good spot and the bike is good and there's just certain things about racing that brings out things that you have to fix.Most exciting thing about the new bike?
Frame is better; I like the handling… The handling's been really nice for me.What are your expectations for tomorrow? I know this is a stacked, super stacked field.
I've been riding really good, so I think if we can get outta here with the top five I'd be happy; it’d be something I can build off of. I think I can contend for podiums. So I'm just looking forward to getting this first round outta the way and just starting to build from there.
