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2014 - Exclusive interview with
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At this time were you the local trial champion here in the area?
Yes of this area and also I was champion of Spain when I was aged 18. In the first big success for me I was champion of Spain at the level Junior at 17 years. Then I continue and one years later when I was 18 I was champion of Spain in the top level. This was a right change for me. At this time I was not living here in this village because I was many miles from the trial I was always travel to everywhere. At this time I live in Barcelona because the factories are in Barcelona and the competitions are in Barcelona and everything is in Barcelona and this area. I come here at this time only to see family.
Who did you live in Barcelona with?
At the first time I live with a friend in his house in one area of Barcelona and then after a while I live with another friend in a different area. They were both friends of the moto but they did not ride the trial. They ride the moto but not the trial. They were moto speed racing people.
What age did you start riding the World championship?
The time I start riding the Top World Trial was at the same time. I was 18 so very young. Yes 18.
Your village is a long long way from Barcelona where most of the riders came from. Who saw you and said we want him to ride for us?
Yes of this area and also I was champion of Spain when I was aged 18. In the first big success for me I was champion of Spain at the level Junior at 17 years. Then I continue and one years later when I was 18 I was champion of Spain in the top level. This was a right change for me. At this time I was not living here in this village because I was many miles from the trial I was always travel to everywhere. At this time I live in Barcelona because the factories are in Barcelona and the competitions are in Barcelona and everything is in Barcelona and this area. I come here at this time only to see family.
Who did you live in Barcelona with?
At the first time I live with a friend in his house in one area of Barcelona and then after a while I live with another friend in a different area. They were both friends of the moto but they did not ride the trial. They ride the moto but not the trial. They were moto speed racing people.
What age did you start riding the World championship?
The time I start riding the Top World Trial was at the same time. I was 18 so very young. Yes 18.
Your village is a long long way from Barcelona where most of the riders came from. Who saw you and said we want him to ride for us?
When I was riding here the man who saw me and thought something about me was a mechanic here in Fugueras town. Here there was a motorcycle shop trial called Figueras. The man here he talk to Ossa factory and say is this possible to give this boy here a motorcycle for practice and to make the trials with Ossa. I was 16 at this time. It was just like this. It was simple.
Before this, did you have any sponsorship with the shop?
Yes, a little but only very small.
What was the name of this shop who sponsored you?
Figueras motos
Do you remember much about JJ Cobas?
Before this, did you have any sponsorship with the shop?
Yes, a little but only very small.
What was the name of this shop who sponsored you?
Figueras motos
Do you remember much about JJ Cobas?
Toni became involved with the JJ Cobas very early on in his career.
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Where Toni started his dealership with amigo Josep Maria Vila.
2014 - Exclusive interview with Toni Gorgot www.retrotrials.com
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Later they moved here and an area on the edge of Figueres.
2014 - Exclusive interview with Toni Gorgot www.retrotrials.com
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Yes, I remember all about this. This start after, when I was 18 or 19. JJ was some shops in Barcelona selling with the motorcycles and the cars. They were some dealers. There was a motorcycle team with different riders from trial, racing, motor cross and enduro. The dealer have many riders with them doing these things and they pay to us for travel and pay for many expenses. This boy Jacinto love the moto and was big enthusiast. He was later with Antonio Cobas who was an engineer he make the moto for the trial. He was champion of the world 125 with Alex Criville. They both now have died. Antonio, the man from the shop was Jacinto. I was very close to both men, especially Jacinto.
The JJ Cobas trial was with the shop also. It was Jacinto's plan for all of this moto experiments and team. Last Sunday his wife, she was here having dinner. I lived with Jacinto for 6 months in Barcelona at his house in the beginning of my life with the trial. He help me then and many times. |
2014 - Exclusive interview with Toni Gorgot www.retrotrials.com
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So you stopped your job and you went to work and ride for the factory. Did you get paid by the factory in Barcelona?
Yes, at this time with the Ossa I take the bike and also some money. A little money, not much.
Did you have a job, perhaps serving in a bar or something similar to bring money in?
No, no at this time. I make military service in 1989. At this time in Spain it was obligatory that everyone do military service. Now this no happen in Spain. For me I do this 2 years. Normally it is one year but I do two years. Normally you can try where you want to stay in the army.
Yes, at this time with the Ossa I take the bike and also some money. A little money, not much.
Did you have a job, perhaps serving in a bar or something similar to bring money in?
No, no at this time. I make military service in 1989. At this time in Spain it was obligatory that everyone do military service. Now this no happen in Spain. For me I do this 2 years. Normally it is one year but I do two years. Normally you can try where you want to stay in the army.
2014 - Exclusive interview with Toni Gorgot www.retrotrials.com
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2014 - Exclusive interview with Toni Gorgot www.retrotrials.com
From the very start of his riding career to the very end, Toni was sponsored by motorcycle enthusiast "JJ" Jacinto Moriana's car and motorcycle dealerships.
JJ also sponsored the development of the famous Trial machine. |
What did you do in the army?
I work in the army in Barcelona as a chauffeur and driver of the truck. I finish the army when I was 20. I start when I was 18.
You look like you were very good on the moto from the very beginning?
Did this come natural to you or did you practice like crazy. Every day did you practice, practice?
Ci Ci, every day for a short time, may be two hours in the hills around my house, maybe two or three hours. I would also ride in Terrassa.
This was not a crazy amount of practice but it sounds sensible to me. When you look back now what do you think about why you became a good rider. Why were you good?
This is a difficult question but I think I practice much and I was very focused. For me some days I practice for more than 2 hours, sometimes 5 or 6 hours. I was very focused and concentrated and very professional because I wanted to no make champion but win the races. I go to the races to watch and I see Mick Andrews and I think that I want to be like this man and I want to win the races. These men push me forwards to be better. I wanted good results in the competitions, so I try hard. I no think about taking the motorcycle to make the world championship. My interest was to be a professional.
I work in the army in Barcelona as a chauffeur and driver of the truck. I finish the army when I was 20. I start when I was 18.
You look like you were very good on the moto from the very beginning?
Did this come natural to you or did you practice like crazy. Every day did you practice, practice?
Ci Ci, every day for a short time, may be two hours in the hills around my house, maybe two or three hours. I would also ride in Terrassa.
This was not a crazy amount of practice but it sounds sensible to me. When you look back now what do you think about why you became a good rider. Why were you good?
This is a difficult question but I think I practice much and I was very focused. For me some days I practice for more than 2 hours, sometimes 5 or 6 hours. I was very focused and concentrated and very professional because I wanted to no make champion but win the races. I go to the races to watch and I see Mick Andrews and I think that I want to be like this man and I want to win the races. These men push me forwards to be better. I wanted good results in the competitions, so I try hard. I no think about taking the motorcycle to make the world championship. My interest was to be a professional.
2014 - Exclusive interview with Toni Gorgot www.retrotrials.com
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2014 - Exclusive interview with Toni Gorgot www.retrotrials.com
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2014 - Exclusive interview with Toni Gorgot www.retrotrials.com
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Your first professional trials bike was the Mick Andrew Replica Ossa.
Yes, first I win with Ossa in junior in the year of 1976. This was with Ossa MAR. This was the white Ossa MAR. After this I change the category I ride in and I now ride in the top level and after I take the red Sherpa Bultaco. After it was the blue Sherpa, but in the beginning it was the red.
Yes, first I win with Ossa in junior in the year of 1976. This was with Ossa MAR. This was the white Ossa MAR. After this I change the category I ride in and I now ride in the top level and after I take the red Sherpa Bultaco. After it was the blue Sherpa, but in the beginning it was the red.
2014 - Exclusive interview with Toni Gorgot www.retrotrials.com
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2014 - Exclusive interview with Toni Gorgot www.retrotrials.com
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When you worked for Ossa as a rider, did you work during the week in the factory?
No no, I just ride. I do a little work on my machine to make it better every day, but I no work in factory.
Are you a good mechanic?
Ci ci, just what is necessary for the races, that is all. Now today I make the mechanic now and I am better at this. I have a lot of machines. I have a big garage near here and I repair the machines for my work and the cars and the lorries. Just me for the business. These are mainly small machines for cutting the trees. I repair all. Car, truck and everything.
No no, I just ride. I do a little work on my machine to make it better every day, but I no work in factory.
Are you a good mechanic?
Ci ci, just what is necessary for the races, that is all. Now today I make the mechanic now and I am better at this. I have a lot of machines. I have a big garage near here and I repair the machines for my work and the cars and the lorries. Just me for the business. These are mainly small machines for cutting the trees. I repair all. Car, truck and everything.
Were your bikes very special?
No no no, standard. I remember when I was riding at one year time in the United States the cost to bring the motorcycle was very expensive. The importer to the United States gave me one original bike to make the race. This moto was total original.
No no no, standard. I remember when I was riding at one year time in the United States the cost to bring the motorcycle was very expensive. The importer to the United States gave me one original bike to make the race. This moto was total original.
This is a group of photos taken at the very moment Toni describes. He is pictured with Andreu Codina in the USA ,collecting their two totally stock Montesa's.
Photos from Andreu Codina's collection
2014 - Exclusive interview with Toni Gorgot www.retrotrials.com
Whilst Toni's USA Montesa was entirely standard , his factory Ossa was not. Here are some photos of Gorgot's factory Ossa today and a list of the improvements that were made it it by Toni and his mechanics -
Low capacity petrol tank to increase reduce turning circle + Increased Steering angle
Lengthened clutch arm + Seat height reduction
Reduced and simplified fittings + Reinforced foot rests
Increased access to delhorto carberetor + Inverted cam on front brake
Modified rear shock mouting points + Drilled sump shield
Descompresor fitted to engine +Reenforced chassis
Altered right hand side engine casings + Air filter box in carbon fibre
Circlip holding the kickstart rubber + Platinum Ignition system.
Low capacity petrol tank to increase reduce turning circle + Increased Steering angle
Lengthened clutch arm + Seat height reduction
Reduced and simplified fittings + Reinforced foot rests
Increased access to delhorto carberetor + Inverted cam on front brake
Modified rear shock mouting points + Drilled sump shield
Descompresor fitted to engine +Reenforced chassis
Altered right hand side engine casings + Air filter box in carbon fibre
Circlip holding the kickstart rubber + Platinum Ignition system.
