page 7 2013 Marc Colomer Exclusive interview
Why did you leave Montesa?
I leave Montesa in 2000. At this moment it was difficult to be there for one year, 2000 but 4 more years with Fujinami, Dougie and this was difficult also for the factory to have the first 3 riders in the World Championship was difficult. Then I make everything in Montesa and I say hey, it’s me who need extra motivation in another place. It was this case in Gasgas that it was the factory from not my home, but close to my home. Another Catalan factory and I try this way to have a new motivation.
I leave Montesa in 2000. At this moment it was difficult to be there for one year, 2000 but 4 more years with Fujinami, Dougie and this was difficult also for the factory to have the first 3 riders in the World Championship was difficult. Then I make everything in Montesa and I say hey, it’s me who need extra motivation in another place. It was this case in Gasgas that it was the factory from not my home, but close to my home. Another Catalan factory and I try this way to have a new motivation.
Did the Gasgas give you the motivation?
Yes, but at this time was the problem of the bikes and many many problem with the bike also. This was a problem I cannot know before I go. I arrive and there is a new bike and this bike have many many problem, but this is another thing. It is always the same.
When you arrived at GasGas was there always the hope that you would win again?
When I arrive, yes. After the first year, no, because the first year was all about development with the bike with the txt pro. This was new. The 2nd race in Portugal, I don’t finish because the bike breaks its gearbox and it was impossible to compete like this. To win impossible but also to make good result was impossible. Then I think this time every year for me was one year less, not one year more, no ha ha. Start to arrive Raga and other ones and the time was more difficult and if you have those problems. These problems I have similar in Beta in 93, similar but I was 19 and young I could cope with this. If you have this problem at 24 or 25 and the motivation you have to win, you have but it is less because I win in 96 then the situation is that that when you problems, they are bigger.
Yes, but at this time was the problem of the bikes and many many problem with the bike also. This was a problem I cannot know before I go. I arrive and there is a new bike and this bike have many many problem, but this is another thing. It is always the same.
When you arrived at GasGas was there always the hope that you would win again?
When I arrive, yes. After the first year, no, because the first year was all about development with the bike with the txt pro. This was new. The 2nd race in Portugal, I don’t finish because the bike breaks its gearbox and it was impossible to compete like this. To win impossible but also to make good result was impossible. Then I think this time every year for me was one year less, not one year more, no ha ha. Start to arrive Raga and other ones and the time was more difficult and if you have those problems. These problems I have similar in Beta in 93, similar but I was 19 and young I could cope with this. If you have this problem at 24 or 25 and the motivation you have to win, you have but it is less because I win in 96 then the situation is that that when you problems, they are bigger.
Did you work with Jordi at Gasgas?
Not many, no. At the beginning a little, but after no because after he work only for the young riders, for Cabestany and Raga, Fajardo a little. Together, not many times. In Jordi’s interview he rates you as being one of his top competitors and most respected rival because he says that you were mentally strong. Does this make you proud to hear this? Yeah, I think it’s he not the reason 100% no, but in this time maybe yes. For example in 96 when you have the best bike your riding is better than him because it is normal. The young riders then they arrive with the new technique and new quality. |
It is normal. Maybe Jordi look at me and think that I have all the things perfect, no. This from outside but inside it’s not like this. I don’t think this reason is 100%. I think. It looks smooth on outside but not so smooth on inside.
What were the circumstances of Salvador Garcia and Pedro Olle leaving one team with Jordi and come with you?
When Pedro comes to me it was when Jordi when the World Championship and was 1992 and me I was 11th position at this time and it was not a problem for Jordi. When Salva Garcia come to me it was because Jordi has retired in 97 so again it’s no problem. At this time there were not many people like Salva Garcia and Pedro Olle. Like Salva Garcia I think there is not another one like him. He was special. When I finish with him in 2001, I know some riders at this time, I think Raga wants to take Salva because he finish with me. At this time Salva say I finish trial, I finish trial but the reason was because he was a good man and I don’t know another man like him. Salva was employed by me for all the time. He assisted me with training and after we would go to the mechanics and the factory and prepare the bike and see Pedro.
What were the circumstances of Salvador Garcia and Pedro Olle leaving one team with Jordi and come with you?
When Pedro comes to me it was when Jordi when the World Championship and was 1992 and me I was 11th position at this time and it was not a problem for Jordi. When Salva Garcia come to me it was because Jordi has retired in 97 so again it’s no problem. At this time there were not many people like Salva Garcia and Pedro Olle. Like Salva Garcia I think there is not another one like him. He was special. When I finish with him in 2001, I know some riders at this time, I think Raga wants to take Salva because he finish with me. At this time Salva say I finish trial, I finish trial but the reason was because he was a good man and I don’t know another man like him. Salva was employed by me for all the time. He assisted me with training and after we would go to the mechanics and the factory and prepare the bike and see Pedro.
You retired from trial at quite an early age?
The reason is easy. I start to become on the first position maybe too early because I start for the Worlds Championship when I was 16 and finish 2nd in the World Championship when I was 18 or 19. Then this was too fast and errr in one moment pheeeww why do I make the World Championship to make 6th or 7th or 8th position. For me it was not possible to make this. Maybe for the other riders it is not a problem but for me at this time it is impossible for me to ride one race and know for sure before I start I cannot win, I cannot make 2nd, I cannot make 3rd for me it’s stupid and I retire at 29.
The reason is easy. I start to become on the first position maybe too early because I start for the Worlds Championship when I was 16 and finish 2nd in the World Championship when I was 18 or 19. Then this was too fast and errr in one moment pheeeww why do I make the World Championship to make 6th or 7th or 8th position. For me it was not possible to make this. Maybe for the other riders it is not a problem but for me at this time it is impossible for me to ride one race and know for sure before I start I cannot win, I cannot make 2nd, I cannot make 3rd for me it’s stupid and I retire at 29.
What sport have you done since the end of the trial?
No, none. I like many many rally cars. Sometimes I try to make something at this but in the end I make nothing. If I make one sport it’s for sure it’s trials bikes. |
Where was your favourite place to ride?
At the end of …..for the terrain England, for the crowd Italy.
At the end of …..for the terrain England, for the crowd Italy.
What was the event that you look back on and think that was my best event?
Pheewww. It’s difficult to, it’s difficult to, because it’s many situations but when I win the first indoor of Barcelona in 94 it was one goal for me. Now many be this is different but at this time to win the Barcelona Indoor Trial was incredible, then it was a very good moment for me.
Pheewww. It’s difficult to, it’s difficult to, because it’s many situations but when I win the first indoor of Barcelona in 94 it was one goal for me. Now many be this is different but at this time to win the Barcelona Indoor Trial was incredible, then it was a very good moment for me.