After a difficult 2016 due to serious injuries, Loris is finally attacking the season in good health and in top form. Before the Qatar tests which will be the last before the first Grand Prix, let's take stock with him.
How are you physically? Did you suffer a lot last year, without it necessarily being your fault?
" How are you. I finally saw the end of the tunnel and these injuries when I had surgery in December to remove the plaques. I found a foot that is like before and I'm happy with that because it was still a big injury, and it wasn't a given. So I am satisfied to have no after-effects or pain on the bike. It's nice to ride without asking questions, so I'm very happy to leave that behind.
Have you been morally supported by the continued confidence of your team for 2017, and that of the FFM which helps you financially?
“In these moments, it is always important to feel supported by the people around us, whether it is the team, partners, family and friends. I am lucky to be well surrounded, and that the team and the partners have renewed their confidence in me and that new partners are arriving. It's good for morale. I do my job outside of racing, and people still believe in my abilities on the bike. I'm very happy about it and can't wait to prove them right.
How does the next MotoGP test look, which will start in Qatar from this Friday?
“There’s going to be a lot of work and a lot of things to try. We had a complicated test at Phillip Island, as with all Ducatis. We found solutions in the end. The most important thing is to have a motorcycle base that works everywhere, is efficient and gives me confidence. We will try to resolve our problems, to work on the configuration of the bike at the start of the race, when we have a full tank of fuel. We will carry out this test calmly, driving as much as possible. We're going to do a race simulation to see how the bike behaves. We will then wait for the serious things.
How do you envision your 2017 season?
“I don’t ask myself any questions. I don't really have a goal. I can't wait to ride, let it begin. I will finally be able to run without having to wonder about my physical state, because last year I spent 80% of the season injured and it's never easy. I'm finally going to ride now in good conditions and have fun on the bike, which is the most important thing. I'm going to try to get good results throughout the year, but above all to have fun riding because it's been a long time since that happened.
Your successor at Kawasaki in Superbike Johnny Rea plasters title after title, and it's far from over. Does it give you regrets from time to time?
" No None. I knew I had a bike to be World Champion there, and that Johnny would be. I knew it from the start but I made the choice to try to break into MotoGP. I am chasing this dream and this goal. We will try to improve. But I have no regrets, I'm happy for Johnny and my old team because they deserve it. I hope there will be some competition this year. Dominating is enjoyable for the one who dominates, but Superbike is more enjoyable to watch when there are lots of riders fighting for victory.
You formed a good group of teenage friends a few years ago with Maverick Vinales, Gino Rea, Jeremy Guarnoni and the others. Are you surprised to see Maverick now arriving on top of the world?
" No not at all. I have known him for a long time and he is the only one who has always been able to compete with Marc and ride as well as him. He had a slightly less sustained and a little more complicated career to arrive in MotoGP than Marc. For me, he is the only one capable this season of being at the same level as him. Rossi will always be there for a season, but in pure driving Maverick is the only one this year who can compete with Marc. »
Photos © Grupo Avintia
