Page 3 Factory rider Joan Freixas Interview June 2012
Yes, a lot of changes. It is normal . This was a prototype
RT - Was it competitive at the time
It was competitive because it was their job to make it good in competition but not the bike at all..
RT - Why use the Cagiva engine?
There was no engine and they come to agreement with Cagiva. I was not involved
RT - Did Merlin change the engines as all or was it standard?
Yes, the engine for trial was the same for the trail bike and motocross engine. They change it a lot for the trial they cut the fins down they change the gears to make closer and they change the clutch
RT - Did Merlin change the engine or did Cagiva?
Cagiva make these changes not Merlin. They did it for Merlin
RT - In 1982 you got 14th in Trials world Championship and in 1983 you got no points why?
I had to got the army on compulsory service for three years
RT - Was the twinshock 1982 influenced by Bultaco ?
Yes ,Ignacio was from Bultaco so yes. Ignacio was the technical man for Merlin and after the partner Pedro Arpa. I think Ignacio was only technical the three partners were Pedro Arpa, Jony Regas and Lluis Planes
Pedro Arpa has died
RT - Did Paxau work on the Merlin?
He worked for Merlin but not in the factory. He just prepared the bikes for Gallach and me a little. He was a technical man. Paxau really just supported the riders to make adjustments to the bikes for competition
RT - Did he help develop the bikes from one year to the next ?
No ,he was responsible because he would go the competitions with the riders and make changes these changes would be on the next years bike
RT - Who designed the red Merlin with the white wheels.
Maybe Ignacio , i don’t know.
RT - The 1985 Gallach bike had 6 spoke wheels.Where did that i deal come from ?
From Ignacio bulto
RT - Was this a big risk at the time?
Yes,It was forbidden for this bike to be ridden in some country. In Belgium it was necessary to put a spacer between the spokes.
RT - Which was the best selling bike for Merlin.
The red Merlin 1988.
RT - You ride for Merlin at the competitions but what did you do during the week ?
I work for Merlin. Yes i work and ride
RT - What did you do at the factory ?
Only prepared the bike for the trial, just the competition department
RT - Upstairs at the Fornells factory what was the large room used for ?
It was a warehouse
RT - Why did Merlin go bad?
I there was not enough evolution of the motorcycles .The engine is old and very big and many people say it needs a new engine . They didn’t and the company was decided not to build another bike and they then decided to sell the factory to GasGas. The problem also was that Ignacio make one bike with Ducati four stroke. The name was DG11. This is bad . All the money went bad. The engine was very bad and they all go wrong
RT - Was it competitive at the time
It was competitive because it was their job to make it good in competition but not the bike at all..
RT - Why use the Cagiva engine?
There was no engine and they come to agreement with Cagiva. I was not involved
RT - Did Merlin change the engines as all or was it standard?
Yes, the engine for trial was the same for the trail bike and motocross engine. They change it a lot for the trial they cut the fins down they change the gears to make closer and they change the clutch
RT - Did Merlin change the engine or did Cagiva?
Cagiva make these changes not Merlin. They did it for Merlin
RT - In 1982 you got 14th in Trials world Championship and in 1983 you got no points why?
I had to got the army on compulsory service for three years
RT - Was the twinshock 1982 influenced by Bultaco ?
Yes ,Ignacio was from Bultaco so yes. Ignacio was the technical man for Merlin and after the partner Pedro Arpa. I think Ignacio was only technical the three partners were Pedro Arpa, Jony Regas and Lluis Planes
Pedro Arpa has died
RT - Did Paxau work on the Merlin?
He worked for Merlin but not in the factory. He just prepared the bikes for Gallach and me a little. He was a technical man. Paxau really just supported the riders to make adjustments to the bikes for competition
RT - Did he help develop the bikes from one year to the next ?
No ,he was responsible because he would go the competitions with the riders and make changes these changes would be on the next years bike
RT - Who designed the red Merlin with the white wheels.
Maybe Ignacio , i don’t know.
RT - The 1985 Gallach bike had 6 spoke wheels.Where did that i deal come from ?
From Ignacio bulto
RT - Was this a big risk at the time?
Yes,It was forbidden for this bike to be ridden in some country. In Belgium it was necessary to put a spacer between the spokes.
RT - Which was the best selling bike for Merlin.
The red Merlin 1988.
RT - You ride for Merlin at the competitions but what did you do during the week ?
I work for Merlin. Yes i work and ride
RT - What did you do at the factory ?
Only prepared the bike for the trial, just the competition department
RT - Upstairs at the Fornells factory what was the large room used for ?
It was a warehouse
RT - Why did Merlin go bad?
I there was not enough evolution of the motorcycles .The engine is old and very big and many people say it needs a new engine . They didn’t and the company was decided not to build another bike and they then decided to sell the factory to GasGas. The problem also was that Ignacio make one bike with Ducati four stroke. The name was DG11. This is bad . All the money went bad. The engine was very bad and they all go wrong
Joan Freixas with the Jotagas 300
RT - I hear that a water cooled Merlin was made . Is this true ?
No never.
RT - Why was the 1985 Merlin twinshock made when the Yamaha trial bike was already a mono shock?
Because they started developing the single shock with Paxau and they did not start prpduction with this bike until later. They were slower with the evolution of the bike, although they have the Paxau single shock bike
RT - What did you do after Merlin?
After Merlin I stay at the factory and GasGas take the factory
RT - What did you do for GasGas?
I only work and only a little drive. Issued to test the bikes before were sold to make sure they worked properly.
RT - Do you have a good technical knowledge?.
I work with the motorcycle all of my life. I know when an engine is good and can identify engines that are good for competition. This is good for everybody . Yes , i know this.
RT - When Lejeuene was employed by Merlin did Merlin call Lejeuene or did Lejeune call Merlin?
Merlin called him . He has problem with the Honda , i think before and they finish his competition
RT - Did Paco Bulto every come to the factory to see his son and to see how things were?.
Paco speak many times with Ignacio on the telephone but he never came to the factory , no
RT - What was the best time in your career?
I got a 6th place at the Spanish trials in 1987.
One 6th in Germany
RT - You were chosen to ride the trials des Nations . That must have been a great honour for you?
Yes , three times. , yes
I have some photo of the factory . I will send you.
Thank you Joan.
No never.
RT - Why was the 1985 Merlin twinshock made when the Yamaha trial bike was already a mono shock?
Because they started developing the single shock with Paxau and they did not start prpduction with this bike until later. They were slower with the evolution of the bike, although they have the Paxau single shock bike
RT - What did you do after Merlin?
After Merlin I stay at the factory and GasGas take the factory
RT - What did you do for GasGas?
I only work and only a little drive. Issued to test the bikes before were sold to make sure they worked properly.
RT - Do you have a good technical knowledge?.
I work with the motorcycle all of my life. I know when an engine is good and can identify engines that are good for competition. This is good for everybody . Yes , i know this.
RT - When Lejeuene was employed by Merlin did Merlin call Lejeuene or did Lejeune call Merlin?
Merlin called him . He has problem with the Honda , i think before and they finish his competition
RT - Did Paco Bulto every come to the factory to see his son and to see how things were?.
Paco speak many times with Ignacio on the telephone but he never came to the factory , no
RT - What was the best time in your career?
I got a 6th place at the Spanish trials in 1987.
One 6th in Germany
RT - You were chosen to ride the trials des Nations . That must have been a great honour for you?
Yes , three times. , yes
I have some photo of the factory . I will send you.
Thank you Joan.
Tarres , Cordina ,Freixas and Gallach
The 1985 Spanish Trials Des Nations tram.
Freixas World championship results
1 22/02/1981 SPAIN MURA 24 th MONTESA
2 1/03/1981 BELGIUM AYWAILLE 45 th OSSA
3 7/03/1981 IRELAND NEWTOWNARDS 42 nd MONTESA
4 15/03/1981 GREAT BRITAIN BAINBRIDGE 40 th MONTESA
5 17/05/1981 FRANCE LES ROUSSES 37 th MONTESA
6 24/05/1981 ITALY CUORGNE 30 th MONTESA
7 21/02/1982 SPAIN OLOT 27 th MERLIN
8 28/02/1982 BELGIUM BILSTAIN 40 th MERLIN
9 16/05/1982 ITALY CONCEI 16 th MERLIN
10 23/05/1982 FRANCE ST.LEONARD DES BOIS 28 th MERLIN
11 30/05/1982 GERMANY SULZ AM WILBERG 6 th MERLIN
12 6/06/1982 AUSTRIA HEINRICH AM WEITRA 9 th MERLIN
13 5/09/1982 FINLAND EKENÄS 27 th MERLIN
14 12/09/1982 SWEDEN VÄRNAMÖ 42 nd MERLIN
15 20/02/1983 SPAIN OLOT 17 th MERLIN
16 27/02/1983 BELGIUM BILSTAIN 28 th MERLIN
17 5/03/1983 GREAT BRITAIN BAINBRIDGE 30 th MERLIN
18 13/03/1983 IRELAND NEWTOWNARDS 31 st MERLIN
19 2/10/1983 GERMANY GEFREES 44 th MERLIN
20 11/03/1984 BELGIUM BILSTAIN 26 th MERLIN
21 18/03/1984 GREAT BRITAIN MERTHYR TYDFIL 18 th MERLIN
22 1/07/1984 AUSTRIA HEINRICH AM WEITRA 26 th MERLIN
23 6/07/1984 ITALY COURMAYEUR 23 rd MERLIN
24 2/09/1984 FINLAND ESPOO 18 th MERLIN
25 9/09/1984 SWEDEN LERÜM 15 th MERLIN
26 24/02/1985 SPAIN PERAMOLA 12 th MERLIN
10/03/1985 BELGIUM BILSTAIN 34 th MERLIN
28 17/03/1985 GREAT BRITAIN MERTHYR TYDFIL 18 th MERLIN
29 23/03/1985 IRELAND NEWTOWNARDS 23 rd MERLIN
30 14/05/1985 FRANCE GOUDARGUES 32 nd MERLIN
31 16/06/1985 AUSTRIA SPITAL AM SEMMERING 24 th MERLIN
32 22/06/1985 POLAND MYSLENICE 32 nd MERLIN
33 25/08/1985 FINLAND ESPOO 28 th MERLIN
34 31/08/1985 SWEDEN LINKÖPING 22 nd MERLIN
35 8/09/1985 SWITZERLAND GRIMMIALP 29 th MERLIN
36 15/09/1985 GERMANY GROSSHEUBACH 20 th MERLIN
37 9/03/1986 BELGIUM BILSTAIN 26 th MERLIN
38 16/03/1986 GREAT BRITAIN PATELEY BRIDGE 26 th MERLIN
39 22/03/1986 IRELAND NEWTOWNARDS 34 th MERLIN
40 13/04/1986 SPAIN PERAMOLA 12 th MERLIN
41 1/06/1986 UNITED STATES MOUNT VERNON 24 th MERLIN
42 8/06/1986 CANADA IOCO 19 th MERLIN
43 29/06/1986 GERMANY SULZ AM WILBERG 22 nd MERLIN
44 6/07/1986 AUSTRIA HEINRICH AM WEITRA 30 th MERLIN
45 5/03/1987 SPAIN SANT LLORENC DE MORUNYS 6 th MERLIN
46 12/03/1987 BELGIUM BILSTAIN 42 nd MERLIN
47 25/03/1987 IRELAND NEWTOWNARDS 29 th MERLIN
48 31/05/1987 FRANCE LES ROUSSES 26 th MERLIN
49 6/03/1988 SPAIN SANT LLORENC DE MORUNYS 36 th MERLIN
50 29/05/1988 AUSTRIA HEINRICH AM WEITRA 31 st MERLIN
2 1/03/1981 BELGIUM AYWAILLE 45 th OSSA
3 7/03/1981 IRELAND NEWTOWNARDS 42 nd MONTESA
4 15/03/1981 GREAT BRITAIN BAINBRIDGE 40 th MONTESA
5 17/05/1981 FRANCE LES ROUSSES 37 th MONTESA
6 24/05/1981 ITALY CUORGNE 30 th MONTESA
7 21/02/1982 SPAIN OLOT 27 th MERLIN
8 28/02/1982 BELGIUM BILSTAIN 40 th MERLIN
9 16/05/1982 ITALY CONCEI 16 th MERLIN
10 23/05/1982 FRANCE ST.LEONARD DES BOIS 28 th MERLIN
11 30/05/1982 GERMANY SULZ AM WILBERG 6 th MERLIN
12 6/06/1982 AUSTRIA HEINRICH AM WEITRA 9 th MERLIN
13 5/09/1982 FINLAND EKENÄS 27 th MERLIN
14 12/09/1982 SWEDEN VÄRNAMÖ 42 nd MERLIN
15 20/02/1983 SPAIN OLOT 17 th MERLIN
16 27/02/1983 BELGIUM BILSTAIN 28 th MERLIN
17 5/03/1983 GREAT BRITAIN BAINBRIDGE 30 th MERLIN
18 13/03/1983 IRELAND NEWTOWNARDS 31 st MERLIN
19 2/10/1983 GERMANY GEFREES 44 th MERLIN
20 11/03/1984 BELGIUM BILSTAIN 26 th MERLIN
21 18/03/1984 GREAT BRITAIN MERTHYR TYDFIL 18 th MERLIN
22 1/07/1984 AUSTRIA HEINRICH AM WEITRA 26 th MERLIN
23 6/07/1984 ITALY COURMAYEUR 23 rd MERLIN
24 2/09/1984 FINLAND ESPOO 18 th MERLIN
25 9/09/1984 SWEDEN LERÜM 15 th MERLIN
26 24/02/1985 SPAIN PERAMOLA 12 th MERLIN
10/03/1985 BELGIUM BILSTAIN 34 th MERLIN
28 17/03/1985 GREAT BRITAIN MERTHYR TYDFIL 18 th MERLIN
29 23/03/1985 IRELAND NEWTOWNARDS 23 rd MERLIN
30 14/05/1985 FRANCE GOUDARGUES 32 nd MERLIN
31 16/06/1985 AUSTRIA SPITAL AM SEMMERING 24 th MERLIN
32 22/06/1985 POLAND MYSLENICE 32 nd MERLIN
33 25/08/1985 FINLAND ESPOO 28 th MERLIN
34 31/08/1985 SWEDEN LINKÖPING 22 nd MERLIN
35 8/09/1985 SWITZERLAND GRIMMIALP 29 th MERLIN
36 15/09/1985 GERMANY GROSSHEUBACH 20 th MERLIN
37 9/03/1986 BELGIUM BILSTAIN 26 th MERLIN
38 16/03/1986 GREAT BRITAIN PATELEY BRIDGE 26 th MERLIN
39 22/03/1986 IRELAND NEWTOWNARDS 34 th MERLIN
40 13/04/1986 SPAIN PERAMOLA 12 th MERLIN
41 1/06/1986 UNITED STATES MOUNT VERNON 24 th MERLIN
42 8/06/1986 CANADA IOCO 19 th MERLIN
43 29/06/1986 GERMANY SULZ AM WILBERG 22 nd MERLIN
44 6/07/1986 AUSTRIA HEINRICH AM WEITRA 30 th MERLIN
45 5/03/1987 SPAIN SANT LLORENC DE MORUNYS 6 th MERLIN
46 12/03/1987 BELGIUM BILSTAIN 42 nd MERLIN
47 25/03/1987 IRELAND NEWTOWNARDS 29 th MERLIN
48 31/05/1987 FRANCE LES ROUSSES 26 th MERLIN
49 6/03/1988 SPAIN SANT LLORENC DE MORUNYS 36 th MERLIN
50 29/05/1988 AUSTRIA HEINRICH AM WEITRA 31 st MERLIN