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The Finnish rider has now put his serious injury from 2019 behind him and is ready for the new MotoE season.
This year, Niki Tuuli will be one of the “experienced” riders of the second season of MotoE, again within Aki Ajo’s structure and with the desire to be one of the title contenders. As a reminder, his 2019 championship was interrupted far too early due to a serious injury contracted during the Misano Grand Prix, even though he had started the season with a victory at the Sachsenring. After a long period of convalescence, the Finnish driver is now recovered and ready to take on this new challenge, even if it will not be easy to constantly stay at the front.
With the officialization of the new calendar, serious things will be able to resume, “great news! » according to Tuuli, as he declared during a live on social networks with Energica. “We can’t wait to get back on track. The schedule changes will allow us to spend more time on the track, something we all need. In my case it will be particularly useful, given the long break I had due to my injury. [Physically] I feel good but the bones in my leg are not fully recovered yet. There were problems after my operation in Italy, I had to have another operation in Finland, and then the situation improved. »
Tuuli is therefore preparing to compete in his second season in MotoE. “I need to be smarter and calmer, without attacking too much every time I go on track”, he explained. “Of course, we always try to be fast but you have to understand when it is necessary and when it is not. We also have to look at what Matteo [Ferrari] did: during the first races he wasn't as fast then at Misano he took a step forward. During the rest of the season he generally stayed in the top 5, and he won the title like that. You should not think about a single race or a qualification, but look at the whole with a view to the title. »
Despite his ambition, the Finn doesn't just have motorbikes in his life: “When I don't have races to compete in, I work a little, particularly for several sponsors. Currently I work in a bicycle store. » He therefore had to find an organization to add his training to his working days. “I get up very early, around six or seven o'clock, so I can train and take my two dogs out. From 11 a.m. to 18 p.m. I'm then at the store, then once I get home I train again and I take my dogs out again. »
It must be said that his country has not been too significantly affected by the coronavirus, like most others. “There was no need to stay at home”, he admitted. “My rhythm therefore did not change, I could leave the house without problems. » As for the passion for motorcycling in Finland, it has evolved somewhat: “In the 70s and 80s the passion was important and people were interested in it, then there was a brief decline but now it is coming back. It also helps that we have a Grand Prix again soon, although unfortunately it is postponed until next year. »
Even if MotoE is not currently planned for Finland's calendar in 2021, Tuuli hopes to make his country shine throughout the championship, and for that he can count on his rapid adaptation to this brand new category. : “I have to say that I adapted to MotoE quite quickly. I liked it from the start, it's a lot of fun to ride. » So what does he think of the favorites for 2020? “It will be different from last year. There will be many more competitive drivers and it will be difficult to stay at the front all the time. Whether it was the slowest riders from last year or the newcomers, everyone rode well during the tests. The championship will surely be much closer this year. »
