Exclusive interview with Sylvain Guintoli “Everything was positive because I felt good on the bike and didn’t make any mistakes”

Arriving unexpectedly in MotoGP at Suzuki to replace the injured Alex Rins, Sylvain finished at Le Mans 1'06 behind the winner, at Mugello at 46 seconds and at Barcelona at 43. He beat several permanent riders in Italy and Spain, and was appreciated by Suzuki for his contribution to development, during race weekends and tests.

Are you satisfied overall with the three Grands Prix you have just competed in?

“Yes, I am satisfied with it. First of all, it was a very good experience. I'm happy with the performance. We built well. I knew that by taking on this challenge in the middle of the season, without having ridden a GP motorcycle for a very long time, I would have to get used to the tires, but also to the circuits. I knew Le Mans, Mugello and Barcelona, ​​but hadn't been there since 2008. There were a lot of parameters to manage and adaptations to make very quickly.

It was very positive since I finished one second behind my teammate in Barcelona, ​​having previously overtaken him with five laps to go. The experience with Suzuki was also excellent. We worked well together to identify areas for improvement on the machine. It gave me experience, but I gave them a different look at the machine.

When you found yourself fighting with your teammate Andrea Iannone at Barcelona, ​​what decided your attitude towards him?

“We both had the same problems at the start of the race due to the very high temperatures. On the track which became very slippery, we had difficulty finding the feeling. It was worse for me than for him at first. Then, during the second third of the race, I was faster than him and the group in front. I pulled them up, overtook Espargaro and Lowes, then caught up with Andrea. We then fought for two laps, but at the end he had a little more grip left behind. In the last laps, we all had difficulty with the rear grip.

“I didn't have any special attitude towards him because he was my teammate. I fought and tried to get ahead of him like the other drivers. He is a pilot who has a lot of experience. He won a Grand Prix last year, so for me to fight with him is satisfying.

Did you expect to beat drivers like those you beat at Mugello and Barcelona?

" No. Frankly, I expected to struggle. I was planning to have fun, because they are fabulous bikes, but in terms of performance, I really didn't want to take a ride! (laugh) When I found myself with certain pilots, it was a very good surprise. I really felt comfortable on the bike which gave me a lot of feedback, as well as with the tires.

Suzuki attached great importance to your presence during the tests, even bringing a motorcycle specially for you from Japan. How with your limited experience in current MotoGP were you able to participate so much in the development?

“The machine immediately gave me a lot of sensations. Suzuki engineers were interested in my comments from the first test in Jerez. Then I did my best to convey my feelings to them. During the Barcelona test, we did a lot of work on Monday and Tuesday, with five bikes. It was very interesting and we now have a good understanding for the future.

“We sometimes don't feel good on certain machines, and things go badly. With the Suzuki I really felt comfortable. She gave me a lot of feeling. Even though I hadn't been on a MotoGP machine for a long time, the experience gained with a lot of bikes in different championships counted. The relationship with the machine and with the Suzuki technical staff was immediately very good.

Did Suzuki want you to make yourself available for further testing?

“There is nothing confirmed at the moment. We had a positive experience together. We'll see after.

What is the best memory you will keep from these three Grands Prix?

“There will be a package!” For me it was a great emotion to be back at Le Mans and to ride in front of my home crowd. Sportingly, everything was positive because I felt good on the bike and didn't make any mistakes. I had fun on the bike, but also with the team which is really great. There is a very good atmosphere, very professional. Just as it should be.

“My relationship with the Japanese at Suzuki went well. We immediately built a good rapport, which was important. For me sportingly, my best race was that of Barcelona. Even though we had difficulties in terms of overall performance, it was a race where I performed well. I fought well. Being able to overtake my teammate at the end of the race who won a GP last year was a good sign for me. This meant that the right wrist still functions as it should! (laugh)

This weekend you will change the world, and not just in terms of climate, going from Barcelona to the BSB in Knockhill. How is this round of British Superbike shaping up for you?

“We'll see, it's completely different. This is a typical English circuit. I just walked around it (editor’s note: interview conducted Thursday afternoon) and it is indeed different. Plus it's a circuit that I don't know, so I'll have to learn it. We are also in the middle of the development phase here with the Superbike. It's interesting work with this machine.

“We have to get back into roast beef mode, we’re starting a new adventure. This is also what makes the beauty of this profession: it is necessary to adapt. Go to MotoGP, with the tires, the bike, the different structure, then go to BSB. It's less glamorous than MotoGP, but it's also an interesting challenge. I enjoy working on the Superbike because I know it has great potential. »

 

Photos © Suzuki