By Danny Brault

Photos: Jason T. Griffiths 

Yamaha’s Simon Homans has been a steady name in the Canadian nationals since the late ‘90s. Following his 125 East championship in 2001, Homans looked poised to be threat in the 250 class but it hasn't panned out. This year, however, he has worked on his weakness—starts—and combining that with his speed and endurance, Homans is now a top five guy and is currently sitting sixth in the MX1 series points. We had a chance to speak with the friendly and very humerous Frenchman while he was busy preparing for the final western round in Regina this coming weekend.

Simon, how did Calgary go for you?

Calgary went pretty good; I almost pulled the holeshot in the first moto. I was pretty tight with [Craig] Decker and through the first three corners I was third and rode there for awhile, until JSR passed me. I rode fourth for pretty much the whole race, then at the halfway point the bike started bogging, I don’t know what was going so I didn’t think I was going to make it to the end. I made it to the end of the moto, but had to roll a big jump and got caught with some lappers with three corners to go and Huffman got me. But I got fifth and that was pretty good.

In the second moto, I started pretty good but it was all dusty. It was muddy in the morning and dusty in the afternoon [laughs] that was kind of weird. I got scared a little bit, I mean it was blind but other guys didn’t care. They had everything to gain and nothing to lose, so they just pinned it and went by me in the dust; I was like 'Whoa!' I wasn’t happy starting that good and finishing back, but I’m the kind of guy who likes to ride in control.

You’ve had a breakthrough year in the MX1 class, did you expect to do this well?

I didn’t know what to expect. Every year I expect to be top ten or close to top five. I’ve had a hard time putting it together, but finally this year I have good starts and I’m right there. I always knew my starts were my weakness, and I’m over it and I can start and do well. Yeah, I mean I didn’t think I was going do this good. I lost some confidence not doing well in past years, but now I feel good.

How do you like the 450?

Well I was kind of the first guy who was riding the four-stroke in Canada when the 250F came out. Now I’m back on one in the MX1 class and it’s good; I’m used to it.

Are you flying home after the races or staying out west between rounds?

No, I’m staying; I’m not a factory guy [laughs]. No just kidding. I’m staying in my fifth-wheeler motorhome, going from round to round trying to find some tracks to practice on. I’ve been doing it for a few years, so I’m getting used to it. I know where to go and it’s getting easier. But I’ve been on the road for three weeks, so I’m looking forward to going home next week.

I’m sure it will be nice to be closer to home and much more comfortable.

Yeah, plus I’m really stoked about how it went on the west coast because I usually have a hard time here. Calgary and Nanaimo are usually the worst races for me, and now I’ve done pretty well so I can’t wait to see what happens in the east!Plus, you know, doing well in the first 250 races and if I do well in Regina —I might just stay in the MX1 class. I might not do the 125 East; I’m not sure about it still. But I’m the second Yamaha rider in the points and second Canadian.

So you were planning to race the MX2 East?

The original plan was to wait and see what was going in the west. I always have a hard time in the west, so I thought I was doing the 125 but now that I’m doing that good, well not that good but pretty well—I might stay in the 250 class.

What is your routine through the week?

I have my fifth-wheel through the week and drive track to track. Every week I try to find a place like the race coming up and get used to the dirt. Usually on Monday or Tuesday I set everything up and get the bikes ready—then two days are already gone. Then a day of riding, a day of rest and that’s pretty much it. It goes by fast.

Who has been staying with you while you’re out west?

Well my mom and dad brought the motorhome and everything to Mission and stayed; my dad has always been my mechanic. My mom flew out after Mission and my dad stayed for Nanaimo and then he helped me bring the trailer out to Calgary . Then he flew out the Tuesday after Calgary . My mechanic from 2001 was there—Mathieu Gagne, he flew to Calgary and he’s flying to Regina and helping me bring the rig back home.

Simon, I know you’re pretty strict with training, what type of food do you eat before a national race?

Yeah [laughs]. Well Saturday night I try not to each too much meat, you know go for fish or something like that. On Sunday morning, I go pretty basic with eggs and whole grain bread. It’s not super-stuff or crazy, just basic stuff that works.

Do you have any superstitions before a race?
Yeah, I usually double-check to make sure the gas is turned on about 300 times. I check the gas tank cap and the nut on top of the triple clamps; I don’t know [laughs] I just check it because it’s right there. Also, I bang my feet on the side of the bike; I usually pull a holeshot when I do that so I keep doing it.

Well Simon, I’ll let you go here. Good luck in Regina and in the east rounds. It’s nice to see you’re finally getting the results you deserve in the 250 class.

Yeah, thanks for calling. I’ve been working my ass off so it’s nice to see results.

Who would you like to thank for your success so far in the Canadian nationals?

Yamaha obviously, they’re one hundred percent behind me and that’s great—it’s a good feeling. ITL, they help me out really good and Factory Connection doing the suspension. Those are the three main guys who have been behind me, oh and Works Connection—four guys who have been behind me.

Okay Simon, we’ll talk to you later and thanks for your time.

Yeah me too, thanks for calling again and talk to you soon.