Once the news of thearrival of Loris Baz in MotoAmerica Superbike made official, the latter broadcast the following interview to the specialized press.
Loris Baz: “I'm going to the United States to win the title”
After two seasons in the World Superbike Championship, Loris Baz is preparing to take on a new challenge by joining the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York team to race in MotoAmerica aboard a Panigale V4R.
A new challenge in the United States riding a new machine, how do you feel?
« Yes, it’s once again a new challenge! My career has always been like this: change direction to take on new challenges. After the problems I had finding a top team in WorldSBK, when we got the call from Bobby SHEK, I went from being uncertain about my future in WorldSBK to being motivated to tackle this challenge. Everything happened very quickly! I'm venturing into MotoAmerica, a Championship that I've been following for quite a few years, but in which I've never raced. That will give me one more Championship! »
What challenges will you have to overcome (circuits, tires, opponents, etc.)?
« There will be many of them. First, I will be racing on a bike that I don't know, but I will still be able to count on the support of Ducati who wants to go for the title in the United States with this high-level team. I have a lot of things to learn like tires. I know some of my opponents and I have already faced a few like Jake Gagne, Josh Herrin… With the departure of Cameron Beaubier, everyone can now claim the title. There will be a time for everything and no challenge scares me. To learn the circuits, there are methods and we are going to set up driving days to familiarize myself. »
What are your goals for this 2021 season?
« There is only one… I want to look for the title. I only go there for that. I accepted this challenge, because I will have a bike that will allow me to fight for it. It requires a lot of sacrifice, organization and changes in my career and in my life to go there. I see this as a springboard to try to win the title and bounce back as well as possible in the future. I thank the team and Ducati for giving me this opportunity, and to the MotoAmerica Championship for welcoming me with open arms. It was actually strange to receive a phone call from Wayne Rainey to welcome me! It is no disrespect to my opponents to say this. I know the level there is, I know mine and those of others. I need to ride at the pace I showed at the end of last year in WorldSBK and I'm confident I can challenge for the title. I am ready to take on this challenge of going to win in the United States. »
Exactly, what is your program for the next few weeks in terms of organization and training?
« For the moment, we haven't talked about this with the team yet. We only covered basic issues like travel. I am in the process of completing administrative procedures with the United States to avoid quarantines. I haven't thought about finding a foot on land yet. The ideal would be to move from circuit to circuit to learn them as you go. I won't be able to return to France after each race, it's not possible. I should go there at the end of February for the first tests, then again before the start of the season. Then we will see what the difficulties will be in terms of travel. We are in the middle of a pandemic, so this adds an additional constraint to the progress of the season. But there are things that are possible for high-level athletes, so I remain confident. »
