By Diana Tamantini / Corsedimoto
The Gresini rider is determined to be at the forefront in Moto3 as soon as racing resumes. He is aiming for the title in 2020 and a move to Moto2 in 2021.
The desire to forget a difficult 2019 and be one of the protagonists of Moto3, when the season resumes, is great. gabriel rodrigo demonstrated it during the only Grand Prix contested so far, in Qatar, even if he did not finish on the podium. It was important to leave with confidence after many problems and injuries. The bike's settings have also been radical to adapt it even more to the Argentine rider's requirements. The objective for 2021 is simple: guarantee the possibility of a move to Moto2 by trying to win the Moto3 title.
For the moment, however, we must wait for the situation to improve. “I train a lot, three times a day”, said Rodrigo during a live on social networks with Fausto Gresini. “I'm lucky, I have a small gym at home and also a bike. For several days, it has been possible to do physical activity outside in Spain, but the circuits are still closed. Maybe in a week we'll be back to normal, I can't wait! It was weird to start with a race and then stop straight away, like there was another winter break. However, we must remain calm. When the season resumes it will be important to be in good shape, mentally and physically. »
It will be even more so since 2019 was really difficult. “Last season was really hard for everyone”, he admitted. “I worked a lot during the winter because I wanted to start 2020 in a good way, but I also did it for the whole team who continue to place their trust in me. I was obviously pretty stressed but in the end we did a great job. We can do even better but it was already important to start in the right way from a mental point of view. »
From a technical point of view, many changes have been made to his Honda: “I really liked the 2019 bike but I couldn't understand its limit and therefore completely control it. Today, on the other hand, I have good feelings, as I showed during the tests. »
This year, number 2 shares his box with Jeremy Alcoba, who is making his World Championship debut. “I met him last year in Brno, when I was injured and he replaced me”he said. “He’s a quiet boy, like me, and that makes things easier. We have a good relationship. I try to help him on the track, sometimes with the aspirations, but I must say that he did well from the start. He aims high, but he knows that at the moment I am the number one driver in the team. The rivalry obviously exists, but he will do nothing to hinder me in the race. He wants to do good things, but he wants me to do them too. »
Rodrigo not only has a good relationship with his teammate, he also gets along very well with Massimo Capanna, his technical boss: “He motivates me all the time. I appreciate people who tell me things as they are, not to insult me but to help me progress. I know it's never easy, but Massimo helps me see reality, whether it's positive or not. In that he is a person that I admire a lot. But I have to say that from the start we all had a great relationship in the team. We are united by a common passion, by a desire to do well. And then I feel that they support me all the time, it's really important for me. »
The Argentinian also did not fail to talk about the Championship circuits and in particular his favorite, Phillip Island. “I like the place a lot and the track is fast, perfect for my driving style. I also like that we all stay in a house together when we go. »
Almost 24 years old and after five full seasons in the World Cup, Rodrigo has learned “to accept defeats” and specifies: “When you win, everything is easier. But when things aren't going well, you have to do everything you can to avoid finding yourself demoralized. » And now, he can consider changing category to Moto2: “The fact that I want to get there as quickly as possible is no secret. This year I have the opportunity to do good things by aiming for the title, then I can think about changing in 2021.”