Moto3 World Champion last year with ten victories, the 20-year-old Majorcan won with a hundred points lead over his main opponent Romano Fenati. He is trying his luck this year in Moto2 with the Marc VDS team, with Alex Marquez as teammate. He spoke with Neil Morrison for Crash.net.
Are you from a biker family?
« Not really. Yes, it’s true that my uncle was into motocross and my other uncle did a lot of jet skiing – that sort of thing. But this wasn't a motorcycle-crazed family. It was just me! My dad had a skateboard shop, so that's odd.
How did you start motorcycling?
« I started with mini bikes. Then with a Kawasaki 65. Then with a Metrakit and all these types of motorcycles.
Did you attend your father's school? Jorge Lorenzo ?
“Yes, I was there for a year or maybe two. It was my debut with his father. He taught me the basics of motorcycling. But I never trained with Jorge.
What kind of things did Chicho Lorenzo teach you?
“He taught me braking, throttle handling and a bit of machine positioning when I was nine. But the man who helped me improve my riding style was Dani Vadillo, my current coach.
I've seen some pretty spectacular videos of you riding a Supermoto. Has this always been a training method?
“This year [2017] I didn’t train with a Supermoto. I trained with a bike similar to a Moto3. Now I started training for Moto2. It's important, sliding and all that. So I've already started.
Did you stop training with the Supermotard because you had to be more flexible on the Moto3?
" Yes. And now I've started again!
Did you think you would be so successful in 2017?
“No, not as much. My goal at the start of the season was to fight for the Championship, but not to win ten races and all these podiums, a pole and the Championship. It's incredible.
You started in Moto3 in 2016 using a KTM. What convinced you that Honda would be a better choice?
“I convinced the team! I didn't like the KTM. Finally, we fought to win races at the end of last year [2016] but I didn't feel comfortable in any races. I said I wanted a change because I didn't like it. The team also thought it was an interesting idea.
Did you feel this way because of your riding style?
“Yes, because of the driving style. I'm tall, so the KTM being a bit smaller, it was difficult.
When you first tried the Honda at the end of 2016, did you like it?
“When I first tried it I thought it was really good and the position was really comfortable. But the lap times were not good. We were a little worried. But then we changed something, put the right configuration and we got the first victory in Qatar.
Did you do any special training to prepare for the fights in the last lap?
" No. I think it's something you can't train for. It's impossible, right? It's natural. It's instinct, yes, and I study my rivals a little. And that's all.
Was there a particular moment when you really thought you could be Champion?
“I think when I won at Le Mans. When I won in Qatar and Argentina, people said the Championship didn't start until Jerez, in Europe. In Jerez I made a podium and I won at Le Mans. At Le Mans, I said: "OK, I'm also competitive in Europe, so I can keep my distance Aron canet ou Jorge Martin.
Have you had many offers to move to Moto2 after the start of the season?
“Well, that’s normal, right? When you are World Champion, everyone wants you. I think Marc VDS was one of the best teams with a good teammate, and good preparation to maybe go to MotoGP one day.
After the Assen race, where you lost eight positions in the last part of the last lap, you said you wouldn't make that mistake again. Was this a big lesson for you?
“Yes, I learned!” I learned a lot because I was overconfident. I said, 'OK, I'm going to win this race easily' but that wasn't the case. I thought that if a driver passed me, I would catch him in the last corner, and that it would be easy. Then eight of them passed me! It was something to learn.
What are your expectations for your first year in Moto2?
" My expectations ? I don't know. On paper, I should be good! It's really hard to say. I want to enjoy it, that's the main thing. I want to take advantage of Moto2 to try to do better day after day. »
Photos © Motogp.com / Dorna, Leopard Racing, Circuito Jerez
Source: Neil Morrison for crash.net
