2008 Interview - Jordi Tarres
If a name understood and profane that comes to mind when speaking of trial, this is not another than Jordi Tarres, the most legendary trials rider and amazing that occurred in the history of the trial, number one, the most Laureate, the most admired. The seven-time champion of the world has not left the world of trial, Todotrial was at home and this was what we talked about.
Good morning George, how is the Tarrés XXI century?
- Well, quite different from the last century, well, because he has changed everything, and although I still closely related to the trial, the immediate objectives are different and my projects as well. Currently, as you all know, I am within the Gas Gas team training different drivers, especially Adam Raga, which we believe is one of the better future is right now in the trial. We want to focus on it and the project excites me much. For the team have gone so far different drivers, as Justribó, Freixa, Cabestany, etc.. I think from my point of view has been very helpful, I learned a lot, especially of how to teach. I think the work that has been done so far is good, because many of those drivers, although they are now on our team, if you are in the first places of the world, and that is a proof that our work has been positive.
You've been famous for the level of demand and perfectionism that you have applied yourself throughout your career, with great results, I must say. How do you transmit your pupils now?
- This is a complicated issue, because a thing is what do you impose yourself and quite another to ask someone else different. During these years I've noticed this, because at first maybe going at the same pace that I had taken in my years of racing, and for some it was hard to follow. Now I have much more clear that they must be the same pilots who know to what extent they will self prescribe that they themselves upon request, as well as become more professional and I enjoy the level up much more and that I can help fund development issues. When starting perhaps is much more difficult to apply all my knowledge and will be useful. They think they are already at the correct rate, and really are far from what they are going to need to come up, because when you take a few years in the top flight is when you start out your hobbies and things you need all instead. Even so it is interesting to see young people so interested in becoming leaders in their sport and who give their all.
Early on in your team has opted for trying to educate young drivers and help them reach the top. But since last year with the addition of Colomer and with the excellent results of Adam Raga maybe it's time to set more ambitious objectives. Are you aware that fans might now begin to demand results from Gas Gas riders?
- Well, this really is, but we are well aware that's what we have at all times. We can not deny that last year Marc Colomer been a real bump, important, although we expect to recover, and indeed they are supporting their best to do so. In the case of Adam has clearly performed very strong, much improved, but we also believe it is not yet ready for an assault on the world championship conditions. This is definitely the target soon, but not immediately, as they move from fifth place to first be absolutely illogical, at least is what I think based on my experience. Do not want to put pressure on this point, and one of the best things they have in Gas Gas is not demanded immediate result, since the work is being done is clear that it was for a medium-term objectives.Besides sales at the factory I is satisfied, proving that not only serves to sell Victory motorcycles and promote the brand.
Speaking of Marc Jordi What value does Tarrés of his first year on the team Gas Gas?
- A level results it is clear that there has been a positive all season. The bike changes have not helped at all, but we must make it clear that decisions were valued and shared by the whole team. The 2002 proto step was logical, since the chances of the bike were much higher, but the problems did come back to the old bike to try to ensure, but in my opinion I think the problems were not solely due to the bike, and when you walk into a dynamic of bad results and you lose a bit your references it is clear that the problems are not solved immediately. In the trial in sporting reaction is always slow and hopefully in the 2002 Marc is back where it really belongs.
Apart from Marc and Adam, what is your opinion about the other riders on the team?- Jerome Fajardo has been with us in 2001, but not 100% like the other team riders, and we could not work as we would have liked to level workouts and others, has been a little evidence. Jordi Pascuet now two seasons with us, is a good driver, but that puts a lot of interest lately is something stuck in its evolution. Not as young as Adam and Jerome, and that makes their goals and are sometimes also in the professional field within the factory Gas Gas. Anyway we are satisfied with its performance.
The new Pro has been a major evolution in the bikes of the brand, do you think now is the best bike?
- It is difficult to assess, in my opinion yes it is, because it is the most technologically toe and is the reference point for their weight and technical solutions, which currently do not offer other brands. It is the most advanced, although I think this also means that it needs time to go correcting small problems tuning we can find, at the same time for the users to see the future with optics. You have to let time pass and then judge whether these innovations are positive or otherwise some of them are not. This will see.
Jordi Tarres is a seven-time world champion, what had not had your others?
- Perhaps the same thing I said about Dougie present, the fact of winning frequently and clearly gives you a confidence and security that make you even stronger. You start the championship knowing that you have many options of victory and that if things do not go perfect as hard to come down from the second position. All this makes you work very quietly and without much pressure drive, which is important in the trial. No doubt when you push too hard you enter a vicious cycle that hurts you. Dougie also has surrounded himself with his family and a very relaxed atmosphere, which is not easy, but it makes you brand changes do not affect you too much, because your team does not vary, except for the bike. Martin Lampkin and experience are, from my point of view, vital in Dougie's career.
Now come the questions short, Jordi. We would like you'll qualify with an adjective to the following drivers:
- Lampkin: Constancia
- Colomer: irregular currently
- Fujinami: Spontaneous
- Raga: A filigree
- Freixa: like ants, slowly but always advancing
- Jarvis: hardworking
- Cabestany watermarks even Raga
- Kuroyama: is taking as a hobby
- Apple: yet to experience, but it's good.
One of the issues to be debated today in the trial is the problem of the regulation, and the difficulties in applying especially from area judges. How does it Tarrés Jordi?
- Personally I think the trial is suffering too many changes in too little time, and if we keep changing the rules even be worse. People are not clear, from the fans to ourselves, professionals, sometimes we do not know where we are. The trial itself and in its own nature and philosophy is complicated. Both the trial as in other sports where judges have an important influence, the subject of different interpretations or even implement the standard error is an important element. The perfect rule does not exist, and therefore not to be found. I think it is preferable to continue on the current line, letting everything settle, rather than return to make changes, which will not know, maybe radicals. Return to system five years ago is misplaced. The ideal non stop face to fans who see the trial again more affordable, an increasing number of participants in the Trials and motorcycle sales may be somewhat better. Now go back would be negative.
Octagon-Esedos has new proposals, one of which is to try to bring it to the public, which may involve abandoning traditional mountain stages, ie in a way that is "indoorice" the nature trial. Can this be a problem?
- I think that, like other sports, you have to adapt to the essence of the sport itself.The trial never become as popular and accessible to the public masses of the speed, talking about another specialty motorcycle, and I think out of the scenarios for which really has been created can be something a little delicate, by the danger of distorting it. Anyway, all initiatives that can have benefit by the trial should be welcomed, but I repeat that we must not forget that this is a minority sport, dirt bikes that are not the kind of bikes with the most people can identify as they can not be used for anything other than pure trial, that this is not a mass sport and never will be. Anyway it is good that there are some "indoors" in the background are a bit of a "show" that goes a lot of people who do not mind too the trial itself, but only the show it represents.
With the evolution that has taken the trial in recent years, in which the level of barriers in the areas has risen exponentially, the simple fan can not even get to raise not even try to address that area top riders perform when before it was not so. Do not you think this causes a lot of people that begins in the trial or the same fan base, begin to think that what they practice is a different sport that make the best drivers?
- Well, this happens in many sports, and therefore the trial will never be a popular sport since its concept is and shall be accessible to all the world the practice. It is well and can not be changed.
So how do you think could be the future of the trial?
- It is obvious that the future of our sport is tied to the problems related to the environment and access to the mountain. The trial itself is working well, with a sufficient volume of amateurs and professionals moving in its environment. The problem is that every day we have less places to being able to practice, and increases the "persecution" and all this makes some fans think twice before buying a motorcycle and go trialear, as sometimes come to make you feel almost like a criminal, which is not fair.
And speaking of the future of the trial, but the mechanical aspect. Two or four stroke?
- I personally, and making clear my ignorance on trial four times, I have to say that in principle I am in favor of the two times for several reasons. Firstly because manufacturing costs and therefore the price of a trial bike engined two-stroke is in principle much lower. A four-stroke lower hardly a hundred million, representing a price increase very important and therefore less sales. Secondly I think with a two-stroke engine more developed you can get a lower emission, almost like a four stroke. It's about working in this direction. These new generations of two-stroke engines may not be so pointers in terms of performance as these, but it would be comparable or better than the four-stroke future at prices much more affordable.
Anyway seems that brands are already working very seriously on the new four-stroke engines. What is the Gas Gas stance on this issue?
- Well, actually I'm not one to express my views on the position of the factory, but I think in principle the idea is very similar to what I have already explained in the previous answer. Anyway the factory has the abilities and more than enough so that if at the end you choose the four-stroke option, you can make a competitive engine. Keep in mind that perhaps this pressure about four stroke continues to be an attempt by the big brands that control the motorcycle market globally to make things more difficult for other smaller brands and Consequently fewer resources to investigate and produce a new engine valves in this case. Sometimes more than an environmental issue must think about economic issues.
If regulation imposes finally four stroke, what will affect the trial? Is it possible that with different engines also go to areas different?
- Well, I have an old Honda RTL 250S in my garage and although the bike course is now outdated, it gives you some idea of what you can do with a four-stroke engine. It is clear that future four-stroke engines will be much more competitive, and that over time will reach the same level we have today. Areas at first maybe he will have to soften, but I doubt it, since the technique is almost more advanced in the field of four-stroke in the two stages, and will be very competitive bikes quickly.
Jordi Finally, we know that still practice trial (a very good standard, by the way) and you continue enjoying it. Is this the trick that you teach any trialero to start?
- There is no doubt that I've had and I have a lot of luck, I do what I love every day and I'm thrilled about it. I often trial, sometimes more, sometimes less depending on travel, but I love to practice. Even on weekends I go out with trialeros group of people, to have a good breakfast and then make us some areas. But what makes me most happy is that I see that not only have I made trial of my profession for many years, but my way of life, and this is extremely positive. If I got where I am is because the trial has always been everything to me, and I have not had to strain in a special way when practicing. This is the great secret, enjoy what you do.
Good morning George, how is the Tarrés XXI century?
- Well, quite different from the last century, well, because he has changed everything, and although I still closely related to the trial, the immediate objectives are different and my projects as well. Currently, as you all know, I am within the Gas Gas team training different drivers, especially Adam Raga, which we believe is one of the better future is right now in the trial. We want to focus on it and the project excites me much. For the team have gone so far different drivers, as Justribó, Freixa, Cabestany, etc.. I think from my point of view has been very helpful, I learned a lot, especially of how to teach. I think the work that has been done so far is good, because many of those drivers, although they are now on our team, if you are in the first places of the world, and that is a proof that our work has been positive.
You've been famous for the level of demand and perfectionism that you have applied yourself throughout your career, with great results, I must say. How do you transmit your pupils now?
- This is a complicated issue, because a thing is what do you impose yourself and quite another to ask someone else different. During these years I've noticed this, because at first maybe going at the same pace that I had taken in my years of racing, and for some it was hard to follow. Now I have much more clear that they must be the same pilots who know to what extent they will self prescribe that they themselves upon request, as well as become more professional and I enjoy the level up much more and that I can help fund development issues. When starting perhaps is much more difficult to apply all my knowledge and will be useful. They think they are already at the correct rate, and really are far from what they are going to need to come up, because when you take a few years in the top flight is when you start out your hobbies and things you need all instead. Even so it is interesting to see young people so interested in becoming leaders in their sport and who give their all.
Early on in your team has opted for trying to educate young drivers and help them reach the top. But since last year with the addition of Colomer and with the excellent results of Adam Raga maybe it's time to set more ambitious objectives. Are you aware that fans might now begin to demand results from Gas Gas riders?
- Well, this really is, but we are well aware that's what we have at all times. We can not deny that last year Marc Colomer been a real bump, important, although we expect to recover, and indeed they are supporting their best to do so. In the case of Adam has clearly performed very strong, much improved, but we also believe it is not yet ready for an assault on the world championship conditions. This is definitely the target soon, but not immediately, as they move from fifth place to first be absolutely illogical, at least is what I think based on my experience. Do not want to put pressure on this point, and one of the best things they have in Gas Gas is not demanded immediate result, since the work is being done is clear that it was for a medium-term objectives.Besides sales at the factory I is satisfied, proving that not only serves to sell Victory motorcycles and promote the brand.
Speaking of Marc Jordi What value does Tarrés of his first year on the team Gas Gas?
- A level results it is clear that there has been a positive all season. The bike changes have not helped at all, but we must make it clear that decisions were valued and shared by the whole team. The 2002 proto step was logical, since the chances of the bike were much higher, but the problems did come back to the old bike to try to ensure, but in my opinion I think the problems were not solely due to the bike, and when you walk into a dynamic of bad results and you lose a bit your references it is clear that the problems are not solved immediately. In the trial in sporting reaction is always slow and hopefully in the 2002 Marc is back where it really belongs.
Apart from Marc and Adam, what is your opinion about the other riders on the team?- Jerome Fajardo has been with us in 2001, but not 100% like the other team riders, and we could not work as we would have liked to level workouts and others, has been a little evidence. Jordi Pascuet now two seasons with us, is a good driver, but that puts a lot of interest lately is something stuck in its evolution. Not as young as Adam and Jerome, and that makes their goals and are sometimes also in the professional field within the factory Gas Gas. Anyway we are satisfied with its performance.
The new Pro has been a major evolution in the bikes of the brand, do you think now is the best bike?
- It is difficult to assess, in my opinion yes it is, because it is the most technologically toe and is the reference point for their weight and technical solutions, which currently do not offer other brands. It is the most advanced, although I think this also means that it needs time to go correcting small problems tuning we can find, at the same time for the users to see the future with optics. You have to let time pass and then judge whether these innovations are positive or otherwise some of them are not. This will see.
Jordi Tarres is a seven-time world champion, what had not had your others?
- Perhaps the same thing I said about Dougie present, the fact of winning frequently and clearly gives you a confidence and security that make you even stronger. You start the championship knowing that you have many options of victory and that if things do not go perfect as hard to come down from the second position. All this makes you work very quietly and without much pressure drive, which is important in the trial. No doubt when you push too hard you enter a vicious cycle that hurts you. Dougie also has surrounded himself with his family and a very relaxed atmosphere, which is not easy, but it makes you brand changes do not affect you too much, because your team does not vary, except for the bike. Martin Lampkin and experience are, from my point of view, vital in Dougie's career.
Now come the questions short, Jordi. We would like you'll qualify with an adjective to the following drivers:
- Lampkin: Constancia
- Colomer: irregular currently
- Fujinami: Spontaneous
- Raga: A filigree
- Freixa: like ants, slowly but always advancing
- Jarvis: hardworking
- Cabestany watermarks even Raga
- Kuroyama: is taking as a hobby
- Apple: yet to experience, but it's good.
One of the issues to be debated today in the trial is the problem of the regulation, and the difficulties in applying especially from area judges. How does it Tarrés Jordi?
- Personally I think the trial is suffering too many changes in too little time, and if we keep changing the rules even be worse. People are not clear, from the fans to ourselves, professionals, sometimes we do not know where we are. The trial itself and in its own nature and philosophy is complicated. Both the trial as in other sports where judges have an important influence, the subject of different interpretations or even implement the standard error is an important element. The perfect rule does not exist, and therefore not to be found. I think it is preferable to continue on the current line, letting everything settle, rather than return to make changes, which will not know, maybe radicals. Return to system five years ago is misplaced. The ideal non stop face to fans who see the trial again more affordable, an increasing number of participants in the Trials and motorcycle sales may be somewhat better. Now go back would be negative.
Octagon-Esedos has new proposals, one of which is to try to bring it to the public, which may involve abandoning traditional mountain stages, ie in a way that is "indoorice" the nature trial. Can this be a problem?
- I think that, like other sports, you have to adapt to the essence of the sport itself.The trial never become as popular and accessible to the public masses of the speed, talking about another specialty motorcycle, and I think out of the scenarios for which really has been created can be something a little delicate, by the danger of distorting it. Anyway, all initiatives that can have benefit by the trial should be welcomed, but I repeat that we must not forget that this is a minority sport, dirt bikes that are not the kind of bikes with the most people can identify as they can not be used for anything other than pure trial, that this is not a mass sport and never will be. Anyway it is good that there are some "indoors" in the background are a bit of a "show" that goes a lot of people who do not mind too the trial itself, but only the show it represents.
With the evolution that has taken the trial in recent years, in which the level of barriers in the areas has risen exponentially, the simple fan can not even get to raise not even try to address that area top riders perform when before it was not so. Do not you think this causes a lot of people that begins in the trial or the same fan base, begin to think that what they practice is a different sport that make the best drivers?
- Well, this happens in many sports, and therefore the trial will never be a popular sport since its concept is and shall be accessible to all the world the practice. It is well and can not be changed.
So how do you think could be the future of the trial?
- It is obvious that the future of our sport is tied to the problems related to the environment and access to the mountain. The trial itself is working well, with a sufficient volume of amateurs and professionals moving in its environment. The problem is that every day we have less places to being able to practice, and increases the "persecution" and all this makes some fans think twice before buying a motorcycle and go trialear, as sometimes come to make you feel almost like a criminal, which is not fair.
And speaking of the future of the trial, but the mechanical aspect. Two or four stroke?
- I personally, and making clear my ignorance on trial four times, I have to say that in principle I am in favor of the two times for several reasons. Firstly because manufacturing costs and therefore the price of a trial bike engined two-stroke is in principle much lower. A four-stroke lower hardly a hundred million, representing a price increase very important and therefore less sales. Secondly I think with a two-stroke engine more developed you can get a lower emission, almost like a four stroke. It's about working in this direction. These new generations of two-stroke engines may not be so pointers in terms of performance as these, but it would be comparable or better than the four-stroke future at prices much more affordable.
Anyway seems that brands are already working very seriously on the new four-stroke engines. What is the Gas Gas stance on this issue?
- Well, actually I'm not one to express my views on the position of the factory, but I think in principle the idea is very similar to what I have already explained in the previous answer. Anyway the factory has the abilities and more than enough so that if at the end you choose the four-stroke option, you can make a competitive engine. Keep in mind that perhaps this pressure about four stroke continues to be an attempt by the big brands that control the motorcycle market globally to make things more difficult for other smaller brands and Consequently fewer resources to investigate and produce a new engine valves in this case. Sometimes more than an environmental issue must think about economic issues.
If regulation imposes finally four stroke, what will affect the trial? Is it possible that with different engines also go to areas different?
- Well, I have an old Honda RTL 250S in my garage and although the bike course is now outdated, it gives you some idea of what you can do with a four-stroke engine. It is clear that future four-stroke engines will be much more competitive, and that over time will reach the same level we have today. Areas at first maybe he will have to soften, but I doubt it, since the technique is almost more advanced in the field of four-stroke in the two stages, and will be very competitive bikes quickly.
Jordi Finally, we know that still practice trial (a very good standard, by the way) and you continue enjoying it. Is this the trick that you teach any trialero to start?
- There is no doubt that I've had and I have a lot of luck, I do what I love every day and I'm thrilled about it. I often trial, sometimes more, sometimes less depending on travel, but I love to practice. Even on weekends I go out with trialeros group of people, to have a good breakfast and then make us some areas. But what makes me most happy is that I see that not only have I made trial of my profession for many years, but my way of life, and this is extremely positive. If I got where I am is because the trial has always been everything to me, and I have not had to strain in a special way when practicing. This is the great secret, enjoy what you do.