Among the five rookies who will be competing in this 2022 MotoGP season, it is perhaps the case of Raul Fernandez that we will focus on above all. Indeed, the Spaniard experienced a great acceleration in his career with a move to the premier category while, only last year, he moved up to Moto2. We know his career, his eight victories and his frustration at having failed in the quest for the title against the one who will remain his teammate this year, Remy Gardner. In view of the criticisms leveled against his former team Ajo, we will scrutinize the slightest of his comments at Tech3. And it has already started…
Raul fernandez is already working on a route of Sepang which offers three days of pre-entry with a shakedown bringing together the test drivers of the six manufacturers entered and the five rookies listed for this 2022 season. In this context, the duel between Remy Gardner et Raul fernandez will be interesting to follow. Last year, the two teammates faced each other in Moto2 for the world title. At the end of the day, Gardner emerged victorious to become world champion.
When everything came to a head last fall, the tension between the two drivers was at its peak. They are now in the first class at Tech3 KTM. On this continuation of his relationship with the Australian of noble lineage, Raul fernandez said : " my relationship with Rémy is very good ". The Moto2 world vice-champion underlines: “ It’s different from last season. We are not friends, but if we have to go out to eat together, then we do it. The past is the past. I'm very happy with KTM now ».
Raul fernandez also approaches his new career stage with a certain perspective: “ I want to win the title of Best Rookie of the Year again, but I don't think I have to set specific goals like I did in 2021. I have to work day by day. It will be a long process. The KTM project is still very young. For me it will be more important to prepare the bike well for the future. If I'm the best rookie, I'll be happy. But I won't be upset if I don't win this rookie title ».
Raul Fernandez: muscles and pizza
Raul fernandez also focused on physical preparation which needed to be reviewed in view of the new demands of the discipline: “ I thought a lot about training. After the two days of testing in Jerez, I was completely destroyed. That's why I realized I had to change something. With my personal trainer, we changed the program. I gained two or three kilos of muscle mass » said the Spaniard.
Now, with MotoGP power of around 300 hp, Fernandez no longer has to pay attention to every gram. He can gain weight. “ Now I can eat pizza with my friends », laughs the 20-year-old pilot on Motorsport-total. " Moto3 was the most difficult in this regard because weight is crucial there ". Then he adds by way of conclusion: “ we have been focusing on cardio since last year. Now we have increased the weight to build more muscle. It's hard to explain, it's a completely different exercise ».
