To conclude our interview with Xavier Siméon, we'll discuss Barry Baltus's career path. Third in the Moto2 World Championship in 2025, he may well be one of the next riders to sign a MotoGP contract. Having accompanied his young compatriot on the circuits for three seasons, Xavier Siméon reflects on Barry's meteoric rise since signing with Fantic at the end of 2024.
Find the first part of the interview with Xavier Siméon here
I couldn't let you leave without mentioning Barry Baltus' exceptional season, whom you yourself mentored during the last few seasons.
That's true. Barry was convinced his talent was undeniable, but he lacked mental structure. Even though he's coached by Zelos and has always had Éric Lambert as his physical trainer—someone with an incredible vision of the sport—it was difficult to make him understand the extent of his potential, given his frustration at not translating it into solid results. In Moto2, he wasn't performing, whereas in the junior categories he was always at the front, on the podium, fighting for the win. In Moto2, he couldn't show his potential because it's a category where you have all the best young riders in the world. The level is so intense and the gaps so small that every detail matters enormously.
His move to Fantic transformed him; did you play a role in that deal?
That was my goal. To make initial contact with Fantic last year and to ensure that Zelos reached an agreement with Fantic regarding Barry's future. I wanted him to seize this opportunity, to have a psychological breakthrough and show his true potential.
Mission accomplished.
Exactly, even more than that happened. He showed potential far exceeding what he'd shown before; he blew everyone away. Me first and foremost, despite the fact that his talent has never been in doubt. That's why Johann Zarco has been following him, giving him moral support for the last two or three years. By training with him, he sees that in terms of talent and riding skill, he's phenomenal. What he lacked was consistency, tire management, and being more mentally open to new things. And the results speak for themselves.
Xavier Siméon, Barry Baltus, Tom Rolin and Johann Zarco
All he needs to do now is tick the box for World Championship victory. You're one of the few who have done it for Belgium.
Exactly, four of us did it. I was the third. There was Julien van Zeebroeck, Didier de Radiguès, and then me. Then Livio Loi became the fourth. He did it in Moto3, three weeks after me at Indianapolis, on a gamble regarding his tire choice. I thought to myself: 'You little bastard, it's lucky I won in Germany!' (Laughs).
To continue following in your footsteps, Barry Baltus needs to secure a MotoGP contract?
Yes, but I'm confident. He's already had a massive mental breakthrough; you can see he's not the same person anymore, in his approach, in his statements—he's really matured. Barry lost his mother last year; it was a huge emotional shock for him, his parents, and especially his mother—she was everything to him. Despite everything, he's shown he won't let it get him down. I hope he achieves his dream; our relationship is healthier now. The professional aspect is gone.
Which team could he sign with?
Any team, we're talking about small teams, but there aren't any. You realize that when you see Johann Zarco finish 12th in the championship with LCR Honda. Johann has real factory support, he has the real factory bike, it's not a satellite bike. Back in the day, a satellite bike was only three seconds off the factory bikes' lap times. Today, a so-called satellite bike is a real factory bike that's posting the same lap times as the front-runners.
Main photo credit: Zelos
