2014 - exclusive Gabino Renales Interview
There are certain World Championship riders that each one of us hold an affinity with. For me, Gabino Renales is one of them. From a normal upbringing in the industrial suburbs of Barcelona, Gaby lived in an area that was simply bursting with motorcycles and flourishing with trials talent. It was the very heart of the Catalan trials World, it's just that they didn't know it at the time. Gaby started his riding career adopted by the all encompassing JJ Cobas racing team headed by entrepreneur J Jachinto. He first piloted a yellow Ossa Tr 33 aged just 17. Gabino displayed the quality that got him noticed. When the Ossa company went bankrupt due to the Socialist industrial disputes he joined the relative new comer Merlin riding the Dg 350. As Gabino became better known on the World stage, in 1984 he drew the attention of the experienced rider and Mecatecno boss Jordi Rabassa to pilot their first adult trials motorcycle, the MR326. Difficulties with the factory emerged and so did a huge crisis of confidence leaving big questions.Then in a twist of fate Gasgas emerged from the ashes of Bultaco and SWM. Gabino's career went from strength to strength culminating in the 1987 Belgium World Trial win.
However, none of it was plain sailing. None of it came easy and there were huge hurdles to over come.
Along his journey, Gabino developed friendships with fellow Catalan riders and RFME team mates Jordi Tarres, Andreu Codina, Lluis Gallach and Joan Freixas. They were inseparable, travelling, living abroad, practising and riding together.
Gabino gives a detailed and revealing insight into his life, his riding, the factories and his inner thoughts back in the 80 's.
A classic retro story for me, an iconic figure.
However, none of it was plain sailing. None of it came easy and there were huge hurdles to over come.
Along his journey, Gabino developed friendships with fellow Catalan riders and RFME team mates Jordi Tarres, Andreu Codina, Lluis Gallach and Joan Freixas. They were inseparable, travelling, living abroad, practising and riding together.
Gabino gives a detailed and revealing insight into his life, his riding, the factories and his inner thoughts back in the 80 's.
A classic retro story for me, an iconic figure.
WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM Gabino Renales Interview
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But .....like Gabino's success this interview didn't come easy either. Gabino is today a very very busy man with a busy international diary and schedule. Finding a time to meet was very very difficult. It was after about 8 attempts and 4 years that we finally managed to meet.
I had got into the habit of contacting Gabino every time I was down his way just hoping that I might have tied in a visit to see him. Unfortunately it wasn't to be. For one reason or another we were unable to meet and it just wasn't working out. I was heading down to Barcelona again and I routinely sent him my "meeting" message and he replied saying that it just "might be ok", but to contact him when I was there. Ok, beggars can't be choosers ha ha. Ideally, I would have liked a more definite plan, but like life, you have to appreciate that everyone is different and the same ideals cannot apply to everyone. So I spent a considerable amount of time getting my questions ready for the moment I MIGHT meet Gabino but never knowing if it would happen. Then the road trip began. It was time to drive down through France. Bilbao is for wimps ;). I had such a busy and enjoyable time in Spain as always but the moment came the day before my free slot, to telephone Gaby. I already knew where Gabino used to live and I had hoped to meet him there, but when he answered I was simply happy that he agreed to meet the following day. |
We agreed a time but I was to drive to central Barcelona and then telephone him when I was 10 minutes away from a certain road. It was all very clandestine and secretive. The next morning I awoke to heavy rain storms and flooding. The journey to central Barcelona is always very very busy with traffic jams, but this morning was made even worse by the weather. I sat stationary on the dual carriageway looking down at the clock, just watching the minutes tick closer to our meeting time........and I wasn't going to make it. I kept in constant touch with Gabino whilst on the road and tried to describe where I was, but the meeting time came and went. Thankfully Gabino was patient and when I was a short distance away from the road in question I telephoned him. It was here when reality morphed into a scene from the Bourne trilogy. Gabino was talking me into the location and giving me corner by corner directions. The rain was lashing down, the window partly misted up, my wife firmly saying "slow down". It was turning into a real nightmare where I was covering half a mile in half an hour. The phone cut in and cut out, I was losing connection and to boot, my phone battery went dead as it was running the sat nav as well. A quick change of battery and few trips down one way streets the wrong way and I was stressed......but I couldn't show it and "NO" I couldnt slow down :). Gabino said "You are nearly with me, I am in the silver jeep". I sat at the junction in the pouring rain and out of nowhere this silver car flashed his lights at me and pulled in front. I caught enough of a glimpse of the sole occupant to see it was Gabino - phew. I'm nearly there I thought. I followed the car for a mile whilst still in phone contact. We then started driving down this tight one way Barcelona road with a Cola Cola cafe on the corner. Gabino said "You can park here and we'll met at the cafe" pointing out of the window at a space only big enough for a smart car. No chance for me. The rain was lashing down so my wife refused to get out, like a horse stalled at a jump. My parking location was a little dubious so I left the keys with her just in case the inspectors were on their rounds, then I leapt from the vehicle darting from shop awning to covered doorway trying my best to dodge the rain drops. Finally I was there .....in the correct Cola Cola cafe for the long awaited and HIGHLY anticipated, most difficult to secure interview EVER !!! :).
I was alone, waiting for Gabino, so I ordered coffee, but arrgghh my wallets in the van. The wonderful lady said "Don't worry" and I sat down ....moist from the down pour with a steaming Latte to breathe some life back into me.
Then, in walked the man himself shaking off his umbrella and leaving it by the door and I finally got to meet Gabino Renales. It brings a smile to my face typing it up now :).
You know something !. I was a little star struck. It sounds daft, but I'm just being honest. We had a short chat and it was clear to me that Gabino was a great guy to talk with. Friendly, very open, level headed and very eloquent. It had most of the hallmarks of being a great interview .....and I wasn't disappointed.
I was alone, waiting for Gabino, so I ordered coffee, but arrgghh my wallets in the van. The wonderful lady said "Don't worry" and I sat down ....moist from the down pour with a steaming Latte to breathe some life back into me.
Then, in walked the man himself shaking off his umbrella and leaving it by the door and I finally got to meet Gabino Renales. It brings a smile to my face typing it up now :).
You know something !. I was a little star struck. It sounds daft, but I'm just being honest. We had a short chat and it was clear to me that Gabino was a great guy to talk with. Friendly, very open, level headed and very eloquent. It had most of the hallmarks of being a great interview .....and I wasn't disappointed.
the interview
As always, this interview is typed up word for word. This way you get the real interview and not some regurgitated version.
The words of the interview are in blue. Any editorial is in black.
The words of the interview are in blue. Any editorial is in black.
Where were you born?
I was born in a city called Badalona which is attached to Barcelona and I was born here. I was brought up in a small town called Sant Fost de Campsentelles, which is not easy for you ha ha ha but this is near Mollet in the mountains and actually is the place very near the Derbi, you know the Spanish factory which is in the small place called Martorelles. You know, I grew up there and that’s why I started with trials. This is where I was brought up and where my parents are today.
I was born in a city called Badalona which is attached to Barcelona and I was born here. I was brought up in a small town called Sant Fost de Campsentelles, which is not easy for you ha ha ha but this is near Mollet in the mountains and actually is the place very near the Derbi, you know the Spanish factory which is in the small place called Martorelles. You know, I grew up there and that’s why I started with trials. This is where I was brought up and where my parents are today.
Gabino was brought up in the very crucible and the very heart of the Retrotrial and modern day Trial World. There is no more central place in the Retro Trials World than this map beneath.
WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM Gabino Renales Interview Photo Google
This area is like Jerusalem for Retrotrials lovers.
WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM Gabino Renales Interview Photo Google
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Do you have brothers and sisters?
I have a sister. She is older than me and she is not a motorcycle rider ha ha How did you start with the motorcycling? Well, actually I started motorcycling because of her because she was the one that suggested that to my father that I get a motorcycle because in Sant Fort, there is nearby the Derbi factory and also a Montesa dealer nearby who was very very active in trials. Their name is Isern. The owner was Josep Isern and his family and his sister was called Maria. |
After over 100 years of manufacturing, the Derbi factory closed it's doors at the end of 2012.
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At it's peak, Isern was the biggest seller of Montesa's in the World.
WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM Gabino Renales Interview Photo Isern
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Today the Isern's have sold the dealership but still retain a wonderful private museum on the 4th floor. Maria Isern with her Husband, Montesa legend Pere PI and father Joseph.
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He was very very very active in the area and also on top of that there was a guy who started locally on the trial called Jaime Subira.
So Jaime Subira was born in Martorelles and so locally there was a very nice atmosphere for trials around here and I was around 20 years old and I started to see the people doing trials. By coincidence Jaime Subira started to go out with my neighbour just in front of my house, a girl who he started to fly around with on his bike on Sunday in the afternoon after the trial, just on the streets
around here. Then this was the way I started and my first bike wasn’t a trials bike at all it was a Ducati Senda.
So Jaime Subira was born in Martorelles and so locally there was a very nice atmosphere for trials around here and I was around 20 years old and I started to see the people doing trials. By coincidence Jaime Subira started to go out with my neighbour just in front of my house, a girl who he started to fly around with on his bike on Sunday in the afternoon after the trial, just on the streets
around here. Then this was the way I started and my first bike wasn’t a trials bike at all it was a Ducati Senda.
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Pere and Maria's son is multi Cycle Champion OT PI
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The Derbi Senda made locally in Martorelles
WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM Gabino Renales Interview Photo Isern
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A Spanish Ducati I guess and then I changed to a Bultaco Sherpa 74 etc etc. This is the way I started. It was influence from friends, Isern, Subira and some other people in my town.
There was a guy who I started with, his name is Salva Garcia. Salva was Tarres minder for many years. He is from near to me. We were very good friends when we were young.
There was a guy who I started with, his name is Salva Garcia. Salva was Tarres minder for many years. He is from near to me. We were very good friends when we were young.
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16 year old Gabino in the white jacket larking around with friends, including Salva Garcia on the floor in the black jacket.
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Fantic development rider Jaime Subira
WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM Gabino Renales Interview
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