De Luigi Ciamburro / Corsedimoto.com
Exclusive interview with Ruben Xaus on the eve of the presentation of the Esponsorama 2021 team. With Bastianini and Marini it will be an exciting MotoGP season. And on Valentino Rossi: “No advice, he’s the most decorated champion in history.”
Ruben Xaus is one of the most explosive and dynamic figures in the MotoGP paddock. Former runner, now sports director of the Esponsorama team, he sees in 2021 a big dream coming true, the fruit of enormous sacrifices. Inside the satellite box, there will be the two rising stars that are Luca Marini and Enea Bastianini, respectively vice-champion and world champion in the intermediate category. The team presentation scheduled for Friday, February 5 in Andorra is generating hours of excitement. It opens a season that is, to say the least, exciting for the Ducati satellite team, which this year will bear the seal of the VR46 Academy of Valentino Rossi. There will also be an air of Romagna and, above all, a historical turning point…
How are the preparations going for the team presentation?
« Andorra is a principality of 75 inhabitants, which allows us to be a little more organized with 000 square kilometers. Regarding the space/people ratio, we are very spaced out. In the center there are a few more people, we have shops and restaurants open, everyone is working normally. We have 468 cases out of 1, all controlled, and the government does not allow actions outside the norm. They allowed us to set up this presentation following an anti-Covid protocol. We have rented two gas stations, we have a room of more than 000 square meters, the drivers will be inside, while the guests, who are few in number, will be outside »
It will be a MotoGP season with frozen engines. What situation do you expect for the next championship?
« When the situation is frozen, it happens that everything remains even more restricted, very similar, with less development. We are happy because Ducati allows both bikes to have the developments that Johann Zarco had in the last MotoGP championship. They will have the same equipment and that fills us with pride, there will be no internal problems and it will give us a very solid base. Then two young Italian riders, the future of Italy in MotoGP, first and second in the 2 Moto2020 ranking, riders with a lot of charisma: that gives me a lot of motivation personally. »
Do you see a favorite in the Marini – Bastianini challenge?
« I don't see any favorites, they are fighting on equal terms. None of them have any MotoGP experience, nor have they raced with Michelin in recent years, nor have they used carbon brakes or ridden a Ducati. One has certain qualities, the other has others. The two drivers will be complementary. Enea is more aggressive, Luca much more focused and meticulous. The two drivers will progress together. The data will be shared and everyone will know what is happening on the other side of the box.
»
Generally speaking, who is the favorite?
« 2021 will be a complicated year. Joan Mir showed that he could handle the Suzuki's tires and power to the best of his ability. He is the favorite because he won, but there are many riders who can do well. And I hope we get two of them as favorites. »
Andorra is becoming an epicenter of global motorcycle racing. The Pas de la Casa circuit has more and more events… A project that seems destined to improve…
« I have lived here for 21 years. Two years ago we created a project with Credit Andorra: they believed a lot in the careers of athletes, not just drivers. The Principality allows you a regular tax situation compared to Europe, a comfortable and peaceful tax situation. The security situation is unprecedented, there is no delinquency, we have two controlled borders, there are no unemployed people on the streets, the society is very sporty. Pilots are not bothered by social problems. There are cyclists, tennis players, rallymen, YouTubers, young people… It is becoming an epicenter of sport and youth. 4 or 5 years ago, we took over the Pas de la Casa circuit and it became a permanent circuit, with 10 months of activity. The management cost is 150 euros per year, the level of invoicing next year will be higher. So it’s a very pleasant location, with a hotel next door. It is a unique model in Europe, in particular because of its high altitude (000 m, editor's note). »
This will probably be the last season in MotoGP for the Esponsorama team. What do you think of this situation and what is in the works for 2022?
« Two years ago, this team was at the bottom of the pack, with debts and serious economic problems. Today, we will end the year 2021 in a perfect economic situation, with debts reduced to zero. We are bringing two solid rookies to MotoGP, with an agreement with the VR46 Academy to have their colors in our structure. It's already a success. The rest will come by itself. If it happens that VR46 completely takes over the team, I would be very happy. Whether I'm there or not, it won't change anything. The important thing is that these roots created in the past remain. I'm just a number: today I'm here, tomorrow I'll be here or maybe I'll do other things. I'm happy to do well in 2021 and to have earned what we have in hand. »
What advice would you give to Valentino Rossi?
« To Valentino Rossi, no advice: he can give me a lot more. I'm not a manager, I'm a sports director who puts out fires. I'm just trying to be dictatorial in the box so that people breathe a high level of MotoGP from Wednesday to Sunday. We are experiencing 4 to 5 days of great pressure, and we all have to speak the same language. I can't give advice to Valentino, he is the most qualified champion in history. He is the same age as me, he is aware that sooner or later his racing career will have to end. I'm surprised to see him running at this level, but physically it's not easy to maintain this pace 365 days a year. »
Read the original article on Corsedimoto.com
