Tanel Leok is a veteran of the motocross scene. He has ridden at the highest level and been one of the world's top riders for over 18 years. He began competing with his own team, A1M Husqvarna, at the start of last year. We spoke with this extremely personable father-of-three about what motivates him, his current situation and the secret behind how he has been able to go on competing at such a high level for so long.
Tanel, you are now 34 and have contested the Motocross World Championship since 2001. How have you managed to be so successful and survive in such a tough sport?
I first started out in motocross as a young lad. I immediately fell in love with the sport, and still love it to this day. I don't just ride to be successful or make money. I can accept that younger riders sometimes overtake me in races. My ego can stand it. Don't get me wrong, though, I always want to do my best but can still be satisfied with a race even if I don't finish in the Top Ten. Ultimately, it's sufficient for me if I can earn enough money to make a living. I think there is no better job around than that of a motocross pro rider, which is why I enjoy my job so much every weekend.
How old were you when you contested your first race and do you have any idea of how many races you have competed in since then?
I first sat on a motorcycle when I was five and contested my first race at the age of seven. I've got absolutely no idea of just how many races I've contested in total but there have definitely been more than 250 World Championship grand prix races.
What have been your biggest successes to date?
Well, that has to be my two Junior World Championship titles and three grand prix victories. I also regard it as a great success that I've competed in more than 250 grands prix and have represented my country 18 times in the Motocross of Nations, making it through to the finals some 18 times - MXoN participation only counts if you manage to qualify for the final rounds.
What's the most important tip you can give a young aspiring rider?
The most important thing is to be very determined! To make your way in the World Championship, you really have to want it and be willing to work with that aim in mind. Talent alone is not enough. I perhaps don't have a lot of talent, but if someone comes along who is talented and a strong-willed and is prepared to work hard, someone like Jeffrey Herlings, for example, then you soon find out just what can be achieved in this sport.
You now compete with your own team and have several riders in the line-up. Who rode for you in 2019 and how is the team organised?
We're not a big team, but of course, we have our mechanics and people with various jobs to do. Funnily enough, one of my sponsors is also my mechanic. We are all very close and know each other really well. I always try to have a go at doing all of the different jobs. I drive the truck, work on the bikes and behind the scenes. In order to lead the team well, I need to know what every role entails. Not for one minute could I see myself working outside of motocross at the moment. That was also one of the ideas behind setting up the team, and maybe I'll continue once I've finished actively competing. However, in order to find sponsors, you also need very good riders. Unfortunately, one of our squad, Roland Edelbacher, got injured early on, and we had to manage without him for the entire season, so we signed Cyril Genot to the team as a replacement around half-way through the year. He is another strong and very promising rider. Apart from him, we've got team members competing in the European and national championships.
You contested all of the World Championship races this year and almost every race in the ADAC MX Masters. You practically didn't have a single free weekend as a result. Isn't that very stressful both mentally and physically?
Not just the World Championship and Masters! I've had a race every weekend since the end of January! I got one weekend off when a round in the Dutch championship was cancelled, and maybe it was a bit too much, especially when you think just how much travelling was involved in getting to races. We sometimes also had testing during the week, so there was always plenty to do.
What made you think of contesting the entire ADAC MX Masters season in 2019?
It was Roland Edelbacher, who gave me the initial impetus, since he really wanted to race in the series. I toyed with the idea to begin with and found that everyone in the team thought that I should also compete. At that point, though, I'd already signed up to race in the national championship back home in Estonia. All in all, it was a little too much for me, but that's how it came about. Maybe it would have been better if I'd simply focused on the ADAC MX Masters and the World Championship, but still, it's always easy to know better after the event. It went okay, though, in actual fact.
Lots of motocross riders hang up their helmets before they turn 30. How much longer do you intend to go on riding and what plans do you have for when you finish?
I will definitely be back riding next year. I think I'll try to cut back my programme a little, though. It would be nice to have a free weekend now and then, but I'm still really enjoying my motocross. I intend to carry on provided that doesn't change and I can find enough sponsors to keep things moving. We'll have to wait and see what happens after that, but I hope I can stay in the sport.