August 21st, 2017.


As dream teams go the pairing of five-time AMA Champion, Chad Wienen, from the USA, with ten-time French champion, Jeremie Warnia, is about as exciting as it gets for quad race fans! This weekend the pair join forces to contest the famous 12-hour Pont de Vaux race under the umbrella of top French Yamaha outfit, Team Clody. Before Wienen headed off for Europe, Rob McDonnell, caught up with him to at his home in Illinois to ask him a few questions about the ride.

RMc: Is this your first PDV?

CW: This is my first year riding in PDV and actually my first time riding in all of Europe.

RMc: So, how did this year’s ride come about?

CW: Jeremie and I have been friends for a while since he rode in the States and we rode under the same team for Can-Am years ago. We have talked about doing this race together for a while, but this was just the first year we were able to get everything organised to make it a go! Jeremie and Christian (Lallemand, Team Clody boss) have been working on organising a lot to make this possible, and I am excited to be teamed up with them!

RMc: How are you preparing for this year's event?

CW: We have just concluded our 2017 season here in the States, so I am in motocross shape already. Plus, I am spending the next week working on extending my riding time while practising and preparing for the conditions.

RMc: What has Jeremie told you to expect?

CW: To expect high speed and that it is a difficult race. He’s also emphasized the importance of a reliable machine and that it is a great event.

RMc: Talking of the machine, how will you be setting up your Yamaha. CW: The machine will be a mixture of the different bike specs that both Jeremie and I run. With a motocross base and my shock specs, but with a softer set up since it is not a straight motocross race.

The biggest factor Jeremie and I have to overcome is that he runs a twist throttle and I run a thumb, so we have to use a mechanism that allows us to switch between the two.

The power of the machine is being sacrificed compared to my motocross set up so we can have a more reliable machine being that it is a 12-hour event.

RMc: Why did you decide to do PDV? CW: I enjoy doing one off events like this outside of our season time here in the States. I also know the motorsports environment, and the fan base is great over in France and Europe, and I enjoy meeting fans and fellow motorsports enthusiasts!

RMc: So, what are you looking forward to the most?

CW: I am looking forward to doing something different from the typical racing I compete in. It's always exciting and a challenge to do something new and I am looking forward to that!

RMc: While I've got you, how are you feeling about the Quad Des Nations in Italy next month where the USA will be making its debut in the event?

CW: I am really excited about the QXoN. This is an event I actually learned about from Jeremie years ago and we have been working for a few years now to get our ducks in a row to make it a possibility for Team USA to compete in.

I think we have a solid and strong team heading to Italy, (Wienen will be teamed with Joel Hetrick and Thomas Brown). As it is our first year competing in the QXoN as a team and outside of North America we aim to be as prepared as we can be and we have prepared ourselves to expect anything!

Pont de Vaux begins with qualifying on Friday the 25th of August, with racing over the following Saturday and Sunday. Full details and live timing can be found at www.pdvracing.com


Pictured: Five-time American champion Chad Wienen will make his Pont de Vaux debut this weekend