Next week, MotoGP will return to the Sepang International Circuit for the first test of the 2017 season. Avintia Racing rider Loris Baz is looking forward to this return to action after several weeks at home.
Baz took full advantage of the winter holidays to get back into his best shape. He underwent surgery on his right foot to remove all the screws and plates following his injuries last year. He has also been able to get back on motorcycles, on every surface imaginable, whether it was the ice in Switzerland, the sand at the Valentino Rossi Ranch in Tavullia and the asphalt during last week's track day with the Ducati Panigale from the Avintia Racing team. He also did a bit of Flat Track at Requena over the weekend, so he's ready to jump on his Ducati GP15 at Sepang. Loris wants to move forward step by step and be ready for the first race in Qatar.
Are you looking forward to getting back to work in the first test of the season?
“Yes, I'm really looking forward to it, because although it's nice to unplug from MotoGP for about two weeks, I've really missed riding my bike. I started doing a bit of ice motorcycling at home and also went to Rossi Ranch. Although the weather was horrible, it was an amazing experience. We are getting stronger and I also had the chance to ride the Ducati Panigale in Valencia last week. And if the weather is good, I will race Flat Track in Requena this weekend. »
How did the surgery go on your right foot? Are last season's injuries a thing of the past?
“Everything went perfectly and I now have a brand new foot. »
After a difficult season, you finished the year with a smile on your face when you tested the Desmosedici GP15 for the first time. Is this why you are eager to get back to business?
“Of course, because during the last two tests I confirmed that I still know how to ride a motorcycle. I hope to have better luck this season, but I don't want to set any goals, because we did that last year and we couldn't achieve them. I think we have to take it step by step and try to have fun on the bike. If we can do it, we will be fast and if we are fast, everyone will be happy. So we have to go test by test and then race by race, because we worked really well during the winter test last year, but then the season was a disaster. I want to be ready for the first race in Qatar and that's what we will work on during the winter tests. »
You have a new motorcycle and a new chief engineer. How did it go with Paolo Zavalloni during the test in November?
“I felt really good and it was a nice surprise. I had seen Paolo in the past and we hadn't spoken since, but from the first moment we communicated well and he seemed to be very motivated. I like the fact that he listens to my feedback and always tries to find solutions to improve the bike and adapt it to my riding style. He came to the Rossi Ranch and told me that he had analyzed all the data from the test over the winter break, and that he had some ideas in mind for the next test. I can see that he has great motivation and is looking forward to the start at Sepang next week as much as I am. I love his excitement. The entire team is very motivated. »
Your new motorcycle is completely different from the one you rode last season. What were your impressions of the GP15 during the first test?
“The feeling was good. The main thing is that I had no chattering issues on either circuit. The bike looks better, you can see it's a newer bike. Both the chassis and the engine clearly represent an evolution compared to last year's bike. Last season, Hector showed that it was possible to achieve good results with a two-year-old bike. I think I'll be closer to the lead, the feeling was good from the first outing, and that's positive. »
