Monster Energy Interview: Krystian Janik

In keeping with tradition with several of Monster Energy’s racers at this year’s Monster Energy AMA Amateur Motocross Championship (“Loretta’s”), 250 B class racer Krystian Janik (Team Green/Kawasaki) broke his back prior to the world’s most important amateur motocross race.

“Wait, what? Broke his back?”

Sure did. Like Monster Energy’s Gavin Towers’ knee and collarbone and Deacon Denno’s femur (both of whom won ’23 Loretta’s titles), Janik managed to wad up and break his back while training for the Combine @ RedBud. This would radically alter his training plans for Loretta’s, which he’d qualified for prior to the injury.

Two weeks off the bike, zero riding, then limited seat time after that – heading into the weeks before Loretta’s. Then to top it off, he opens the 250 B class racing with a lackluster 6th place finish in the opening moto.

And despite the proverbial cat being out of the bag on his title last week, the story of how he got there is certainly worth the read. Here’s Krystian Janik on his unbelievable Loretta’s run…

Hey, congrats on your second Loretta’s title! Was the 250 B championship this year as cool as your first title, the Supermini 2 (13-16) in 2021?

I think that winning the 250 B championship was just as cool as the Supermini 2 (13-16) title in 2021. Loretta’s is one of the most challenging races of the year, so even getting on the podium is a major accomplishment. It was very rewarding to be able to take home a championship this year, especially since last year I could not make it due to an injury.

Excellent. How were the two Loretta’s championships similar, and/or different?

I think both Loretta's championships were similar. It’s one of the best feelings to be able to win a championship among so many other talented riders. There is a lot of hard work and dedication that goes into motocross, so being able to win that championship is a big thing!

Rewinding a bit, talk about your journey to Loretta’s this season. District and regional races, where’d you race and how’d you do. And how did those events lead up to your expectations of Loretta’s this past week?

Starting off in the beginning of the year, I was training out in Georgia at GPF (Georgia Practice Facility) training facility before the Spring Nationals. Then I came back home, and rode around locally (Illinois) to prepare for the Loretta’s Area Qualifier. This was at one of my favorite Midwest tracks, Sunset Ridge. All of my motos went smoothly, and I finished at the top of every class. Before my Loretta’s Regional Race, I also went to California to get some seat time in the heat. I was out there training for a couple weeks, before heading back home for regionals, which were at RedBud. This is also a track that I’ve been riding at since I was very little, and one of my favorites. I had some pretty solid races at the Regionals in Redbud. From that point on, I focused very hard every time I trained and prepared for Loretta’s. However, before the Combine at Redbud, I fractured my lower back. This injury affected everything I was doing to prepare for Loretta’s.

No way! You broke your back before Loretta’s? That’s bananas.

Yeah. After about two weeks off the bike, I started training as best as I could for Loretta’s. I wasn’t sure what to expect when getting to the Ranch, due to my limited seat time. I’m very proud of some of my results, but I know I have to continue to work hard.

Three fellow Monster Energy guys, all of whom can haul the mail – Casey Cochran, Drew Adams and Enzo Temmerman – went 1-2-3 in the opening 250 B moto on Tuesday. You finished just a click outside the top five (6th). What was going through your mind when you left the track, and the time in-between preparing for Moto 2?

That moto was honestly pretty rough for me. I had a crash early on, and I couldn't get my rhythm flowing for the remaining laps. I was very disappointed in the way I rode, and right off the bat I knew I had to do something for the days following. I didn’t want to beat myself up for it, but it’s not a race I was proud of. I just knew I had to focus much more for the other motos because there was no time to be making mistakes on the track.

So all heck kind of broke loose, weather-wise, on Thursday at Loretta’s. You’re a Midwesterner, so you’ve ridden in plenty of slop since your days racing Cobras. Talk about what was going through your mind looking at weather apps prior to getting in the gate for Thursday’s delayed start of Moto 2.

I’ve had some experience in the mud, and it sure does get sloppy. Looking at the weather app, I wasn’t very worried, because I’m pretty used to it, being from the Midwest. I honestly wasn’t expecting it to rain as much as it did. I did know that the track was not going to be the same due to all the rain. That was one thing I was pretty worried about when getting on the gate before Moto 2. 

Couple of guys up front of the start of Moto 2, neither being Moto 1 winner Cochran. You pulled a solid start, and were up into 2nd place early. Talk about surviving the slop and first couple turns, and what your mindset was when you got around after the first lap.

During that time, I knew I could not make any mistakes if I wanted to take over the lead. The track wasn’t very sloppy for my moto, it was slicker (than sloppy). I knew that one mistake could ruin the entire race, so I made sure to stay focused the entire moto. I was testing out many lines to see which ones worked best, and it allowed me to stay up front for the rest of the race.

Awesome plan. Early on, Casey Benard (Gas Gas) was leading, but you were dogging him pretty good. By lap three you broke him, and took over the lead. Talk about that race strategy and the pass for the Moto 2 race lead.

While Casey Bernard was in front of me, I knew that I couldn’t follow the same lines if I wanted to make a move. I tried out as many different lines, until I could make the pass. From that point on, I stayed on two wheels and managed to stay in that position.

On Lap 6 Cochran was off on the side of the track. Did you see him there?

I was not aware of Casey falling during that moto, until after the race was finished. This sport is tough, and anything can happen at any time. I just wanted him to be okay, as many of us have been in that position before. It was good to hear that it wasn’t a major injury and that he could still ride, because we all work very hard for this race and everyone wants to finish strong.

Past the halfway point you were hyper focused, and put up the moto’s fastest lap. You stretched your lead up to 10 seconds, and gained more time on Adams, who was in a battle with Bernard. How long after you took the Moto 2 checkers did you start thinking what would have to happen in Moto 3 given your 6-1 score?

After I got around Bernard, I managed to get a gap and stayed up front. I didn’t know what to expect going into Moto 3. I truly didn’t think I was going to take the championship home based on the points. I just knew that I had to ride smart for the following moto and be up front if I wanted a top three overall finish at the Ranch. I didn’t want to overthink too much about Moto 3 either, especially since the weather was very unpredictable.

You had Friday off, which gave you even more time to think about Saturday’s championship-clinching Moto 3. Talk about your confidence level at this point.

Yes, I knew I had to be up front if I wanted a good overall position. I knew that it was going to rain all morning again, and they were going to cut the race times. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into the last moto because anything could have happened.

You didn’t pull as great of a start, something like 7th place, but quickly – after three laps – erased that deficit and roared up front with the leaders. Talk about what you did in order to take over the lead, who you got by in what areas of the track, and how you were able to close out the race – and clinch the title – in 250 B Moto 3 at Loretta’s.

I was up front early in the last moto (Moto 3), but ended up falling before the sand sweeper in the first lap, and I got up as fast as I could. There was a banner that got stuck in between my chain and tire, but luckily I was able to still ride. I was in about 7th place after I fell, but was able to catch up and take over the lead. I just tried to maintain a good speed, as well as checking to see which side of the track was better. After the race was finished, I didn’t know I got the championship until I was told under the tent.

Great story! Lots of tradition with Monster Energy Team Green Kawasaki. You’re now a multi-time champion with that program. What’s up next for Krystian Janik?

Team Green Kawasaki has been the greatest support system through this all. We will see what the future holds!