Diogo Moreira spoke to us about how he's approaching his first season in Moto2.
About Manuel Pecino / Motosan.es
Diogo Moreira is considered one of the most talented drivers of the new generation. The Brazilian rider spoke with us a few days ago, after the official presentation of his new Moto2 team, Italtrans Racing Team. The rider bids farewell to the Moto3 category, where he did not achieve the expected results.
When I saw the photo of the Rancho de Valentino Rossi, I told myself that I had to talk to you…
“It’s a beautiful photo, I’m going to make a painting of it. In this race I was second. Marini won, I was second and Valentino was third. »
What was the experience like at the Rancho: have you been there before?
“Yes, I was there in 2021. In 2022, I couldn’t go. And this year it was huge. The track, the atmosphere… what they put together is incredible. It's like MotoGP, but a lot more fun. »
So you stayed longer?
“Yes, this photo is from Friday evening, it was Americana. And on Saturday morning, it was the “100 km of Campioni”. Once everything was finished, I went home. We stayed for dinner Saturday night and Sunday morning we went home. But I hope that after or before Misano I will come and spend a day and we will do a day of training. »
Where does the fun come from, the facilities or training with them?
“It’s mainly the circuit that they put in place. Here in Spain there is nothing comparable. And above all, training with them is something else. They are all going very fast, and in the race, I was playing with them to be fourth or fifth, and the first one took me two seconds ahead per lap. It's perfect for training there. »
Did you take your motorbike or did they lend you one?
“No, I took my motorbike. I took a Honda, which I always train with. »
“In Moto3, I wasn’t hungry, but in Moto2, I eat more”
Did you take the opportunity to visit Italtrans facilities, or did you already know them?
“I've never been there before and I didn't get to do it on Ranch weekend. I went there on the day of the presentation last week. To be honest, I've never been there and it's impressive. It's really big. They have everything in there, all the bikes from all the years they raced, the equipment, the trucks… it's very beautiful, really. »
I think Italtrans is in MotoGP out of pure passion…
“Yes, especially Laura, who is one of the team owners, she loves racing. She doesn't go to every race, but she goes to every one she can go to, and she keeps an eye on us. I really like the team and I'm very happy. The most important thing is the desire they have, every year. »
Speaking of Moto2, have you gained volume?
"Yes, at the moment I'm missing a kilo of weight on the bike, but I've already gained two kilos, so I'm gaining a little more weight."
Were you hungry in Moto3?
“I always joked with my friends that I ate everything, that I didn’t deprive myself. I had my diet, but on weekends, I ate everything, I wasn't hungry. But now, in Moto2, I eat too much. I eat a lot, sometimes I don't have enough to eat. But that's how it is, in the end I have to eat and train. »
Everyone agrees that you were one of the most talented riders in Moto3: why didn't you achieve your goal, which I guess was to win the title?
“Last year we started the championship very well. I had great confidence in myself, I came every weekend and I didn't worry about anything, I just went to the track and was fast. But there was a point where I put pressure on myself, and I think that was a bad thing. I had made podiums, but I wanted to win, and I couldn't do it. I got to a point where I started to go downhill. In the middle of the season, I was having trouble enjoying myself. The mechanics could see that I was not happy. I didn't know what to do, and after the summer I started to focus on having fun until victory came. »
“Attackling the clock is my strong point”
Did you go through this process alone or did you seek help from a sports psychologist?
" No. Many people have asked me this. But I didn't look for anyone. I looked in my family, in my environment. I think if you are in harmony with your environment, it is the best thing to do. I think that was a positive and that's what I'm trying to do at the moment. Coming home and being in agreement with my parents and the people we see every day. »
If you had to choose between winning the Moto2 title or moving up to MotoGP next year, which would you choose?
“I think if I win next year, which will be very difficult, I would move up to MotoGP. Because if I win in one category, that means I'm ready for the next one. But I think Moto2 will be complicated, and I want to take it step by step. I don't want to obsess about results. »
How do you feel with Moto2?
“I have a 600cc for training. And the truth is that when comparing Moto3 and Moto2, at the end of the straight, we don't really notice it. On the other hand, when accelerating, when exiting a corner, you feel that the bike has a lot of power. I weigh very little and during the Valencia test, the bike lifted me up. It was very complicated, so I had to gain a little weight. I couldn't do a good test on Monday because I crashed on Sunday and had a cracked ulna. I did eight laps to understand the bike and I think it went well. »
As a driver, where do you think you're really good?
“The clock attack is what I like the most. Going out and doing a full ride, I think that's what I do best. And above all I have to train for the end of the race. Manage the tires, position yourself in the race. But my strong point is attacking the clock: taking to the track and, on the second lap, being able to gain time. »
You train a lot with MotoGP riders: who do you train with the most?
“Mainly with Marc and Alex [Márquez]. When they come here, we meet up to train, even though they now live in Madrid. »
And who would you compare yourself to in terms of style?
“I would say to Marc, because he’s the one I train with the most. I still have a way to go to reach his level, but I'm more or less following in his footsteps. »
You can watch the interview here:
Read the original article on Motosan.es
Manuel Pecino
