Now crowned Moto3 World Champion after having demonstrated great consistency with the Leopard team, Lorenzo Dalla Porta is preparing to begin a new challenge in the intermediate category. We met him during the last Grand Prix, in Valencia, to take stock of this year full of emotions, and to discuss his expectations for 2020.
At the start of the year, was your goal already the title?
“At the end of last year, we started thinking about the title because from the moment I won in Misano, then I had three other podiums and I was also at the front all the time. testing and racing positions. I crashed in Australia and was hit in Valencia but I was still a lot ahead. Let's say, therefore, that from the winter, when the season ended, we thought about it and we started the first tests with the objective of winning the championship, and in the end we achieved it (smile). »
Did you expect to have Arón Canet and Tony Arbolino as your main opponents or were you wary of other drivers?
“I knew they would both be strong opponents, but I also thought that Ramírez and Masiá would have played for the title throughout the season but in the end all three of us were the fastest, especially me and Arón, also with Tony, and the others were a little more behind. »
We saw that some of your opponents cracked a little under pressure and made mistakes, how did you manage to stay calm and not make any?
“Honestly, I only thought about my races, and not the others, not the points, nothing. I just wanted to win, and the team helped me a lot to stay calm. »
Apart from the day of your coronation, what was the best moment of your season?
“My first victory [of the year] at the Sachsenring, because I had wanted it for a long time but it never happened, I always finished second. All the journalists were starting to draw a parallel with Alzamora's championship which had been titled without winning a race, and that bothered me a little, but finally the Sachsenring arrived. I had a little trouble throughout the weekend, but at the time of the race I tried to achieve the best possible result and in the end my strategy was perfect, since I went for a victory that I wanted a lot. And it was even better because it was just before the summer break and I was able to leave with peace of mind. »
Conversely, what was your worst moment?
“Montmeló because the bike stopped and in those moments you can't blame anyone, neither yourself nor the team, and it was an almost critical moment because Canet finished second and took 20 points, which which is a lot, and therefore a nice advantage. But I didn't give up and a few days later I found the tranquility necessary to work towards my goal. »
How would you summarize your season?
“It was a season during which I was able to do “what I wanted”, quote unquote. A magnificent season, we lived like a family in the box and it's very positive. We achieved what we wanted, besides the tag team title. It was something unique and magical. »
Now you will soon be riding Moto2 for the first time. What is your biggest apprehension before starting your first season?
“Let's say that what I 'fear' the most, in quotes, is my time adapting to Moto2 because it is totally different from Moto3, it weighs twice as much, has twice as much horsepower, the tires are much wider, so it will definitely be an adaptation and I don't know how long it will take me since I haven't tried Moto2 yet, I don't know what to expect. But all the riders I spoke with told me that it's a great category in which you have more fun than in Moto3, it's also more comfortable and goes very fast. So I can't wait to try it because it will help me understand it and work. »
And what are you most looking forward to?
“The bike in general, but I would say to make my first podium, and it would be really nice if it came quickly (smile). »
How do you see next year? What goals are you aiming for?
“With the team we haven't really set ourselves any goals, but let's say that I would like to finish rookie of the year and if I could achieve good results, or even make a podium, that would be great! »
