The EnduroGP of Sweden awaits – a special weekend for 22-year-old Axel Semb. Coming off a stellar performance in Spain, where he secured double victories to move to the top of both the Junior and J2 standings, the Fantic Factory Racing Enduro rider reflects on his return to winning form, as well as his mindset and goals ahead of the upcoming race weekend on home soil.
How are you feeling heading into your home GP? It must be pretty special to come here as a championship leader.
I am feeling good. I am definitely excited to race at home. I also did the Swedish Championship in Gotland last week and felt comfortable on the bike. With the good feeling from Spain in mind, where I got the leader’s plate, I am just keen to go racing again!
Talking about leading the championship, it is nothing new to you. You had a sensational start to the championship last year, but a crash in Romania kind of halted the momentum.
Yes, I hit my head, but maybe I was also expecting too much back then after being at the top in the first races. Now, I have also been working on the mental side with some coaching, to be better prepared. I am just feeling a lot more confident in that area. Also, for this year, my plan is to step it up gradually throughout the season, rather than stress too much from the beginning. In Fafe, for example, I was fourth, and I didn’t feel the pressure to win straight away. I knew there would be more chances coming up. I wasn’t stressed about the fourth place in the first race – and I was quickly back in first position in Spain. But I also try to keep progressing throughout the year. That is my goal.
They say tough times make you stronger, and you seem to have learned from last year’s experience.
Yes, I have learned a lot from last year. Looking back, it was a bit of a weird situation to be in, because I got my first-ever win – and then went on to win four days in a row. It almost felt “too easy,” somehow. Don’t get me wrong – of course I had worked really hard during the winter, and I was pushing in the races – but it just felt like it was coming to me easily. This year, on the other hand, I had a tougher race to begin with in Fafe. Then, to come back like this and win again – it was a lot more emotional this time. It was a big relief to get the win.
And not just for yourself, but for the whole Fantic Factory Racing Enduro team and everyone involved, your perfect weekend in Spain was a special moment. How did you work together to make it happen?
Yes, it was a good one! Working as a team, it is not too different from last year, but I feel like we know each other better now, and we have been working together more closely. Communication is easy, and while I know better what I am looking for, they also understand better what kind of support I need. Also, I have been making more use of the coaching from Alex Salvini, asking him for advice and tips that help me. We had a bit of a tougher start to the season in the Italian Championship, and I was so happy with how the team reacted. They were like, “Okay, we have some work to do, how can we help you?” Their support was really key for making progress. As a rider, sometimes you might think there would be less motivation when the results aren’t great, but that wasn’t the case at all. We worked together, quickly tried some things, and found the keys to improve.
This is your second year with the team and, of course, aboard the Fantic XEF 310. Do you feel like you also know the bike better now?
Actually, already last year, it felt like I could start pushing quite early. It was quite easy to adapt to the Fantic – I liked the base straight away. However, what I know better now has more to do with what I need to do on the bike and how we should set it up based on different conditions. I think we are able to adapt even better to any race now.
With Sweden hosting EnduroGP this week, it is a big race for you. What are your goals, and does it change anything to race at home?
Not really – I just want to enjoy the moment. I remember the GP in 2023, and it was awesome and so much fun. I hope a lot of people will come, and of course, some of my friends will be here. I guess all the Swedish fans will cheer, and we will hear them around the track, which is always really nice and gives you that extra boost. Of course, I would really like to win on home soil. I will give it my all, I will leave it all out there. But whatever happens, I know for sure that I have, and will always, do my best. I really want to enjoy it. I try not to feel the pressure of holding the leader’s plate. Last year, maybe it held me back sometimes because I was almost scared of making a mistake while in the lead. I don’t worry about that right now – the plan is to go into the race without added pressure, give my best, and see where I end up.
