In an exclusive interview, Ruben
by Raquel Jiménez Rodríguez from Motosan
Ruben Xaus has closed his experience as MotoGP team manager, at least for the moment. He managed the Avintia team and assembled a strong team, before it was sold. But the first results of Enea Bastianini (two rookie podiums in 2021) and Luca Marini show that the former MotoGP and Superbike rider was able to impress with his cachet. For 2022, Ruben Xaus will not occupy any official position in the MotoGP paddock, he will devote himself to other sporting and professional projects. With the hope of seeing it in the stands as soon as possible.
What are your plans for 2022?
« I came back to MotoGP full-time to help Avintia. The situation was not perfect, we approached the team as if it were a business, from an economic and sporting point of view. Two excellent drivers took the start, as we saw during winter testing, first with Enea Bastianini (at Sepang), then with Luca Marini (at Mandalika). It means we did something good in the past. Now in Andorra we created a sports department, many athletes, pilots, settled here, they played football, tennis, golf, youtubers, online poker. An excellent quality of life is guaranteed here. Then, I collaborate with the company Flymeto, which is also a sponsor of VR46. This year I will be calmer, I have some business around here ».
What impression did you have after the MotoGP winter tests?
« I followed the tests, Ducati seems to be the most advanced bike from an aerodynamic and electronic point of view. This shows that they want to win both the drivers' and constructors' titles. I think that in the top 10 we will almost always find at least five or six Ducatis, this is a plus for the Borgo Panigale builder. In 2022, Ducati riders have the responsibility to fight for the World Championship »
Livio Suppo, Racing Consultant appointed Suzuki team manager…
«
If they chose Livio Suppo it is because Suzuki knows what they need. He has a lot of experience, he has worked at Ducati and Honda with many successes. In recent years he has been out of the role of team leader, he needed personal peace and other projects. Now he is returning to an important company like Suzuki. I wish him much success. He is a Latin personality, flexible, with a Japanese brand, where they are more rigid, he can do very well. I am also happy for Joan Mir and Álex Rins »
Ruben Xaus: “Fabio Quartararo knows he has a lot of competition”
How do you explain Fabio Quartararo's incessant comments towards Yamaha?
« Fabio Quartararo knows he has a lot of competition. Looking at the progress of Ducati and other companies, there are quite a few rivals, at least a dozen. When you have many opponents who have nothing to lose and they are all going against you, the risk is very high. Hence his request to Yamaha, because he has neither one nor two rivals. Today, Yamaha and Suzuki are the slowest in terms of motorcycle evolution. His words were born from this point of view. »
Can Toprak Razgatlioğlu be an option for Yamaha in MotoGP?
« Razgatlioğhe is doing very well in Superbike, he is very mentally strong, he knows how to adapt to controversial situations. But arriving in MotoGP, with different bikes, on unknown circuits, with different technologies... The references, the strategy, the riding style, the language of the paddock in which you operate are very different. There is a lot more pressure. It may suit you or it may kill you. A Turk in MotoGP would definitely be good for Turkey, Sofuoğlu has created a good movement »
You know Pol Espargaró and Joan Mir well… Who do you see as Marc Márquez’s teammate in 2023?
« Honda makes decisions and never does it by chance, it always waits until the end to have clear ideas. Pol adapts well to the bike, he also had injuries at the end of the year, the Honda is not an easy bike. He has a strong mentality, he leaves nothing to chance. If he managed to solve a few problems despite the pressure and this year starts well, like in the last event where he finished in front on an unknown track... Pol Espargaró can still make a qualitative leap. And we also have to see the conditions of Marc Márquez… In my opinion, Honda will wait until the middle of the season to make a decision »
Will we see you addicted to MotoGP again?
«
I am still young. If I watch Livio Suppo, I still have 25 years to come back… »
