page 9 lluis gallach feature
The Interview and photos from Gallach's private collection
LLUIS GALLACH ON THE MECATECNO DRAGONFLY
Continuation of interview.....
What were your thoughts when Jordi Tarres came along with the tricks?
First I thought this was not effective, he take many risk to make better trial and make mistakes but after this change and after time he gets much better and steps up
Did his riding change you?
Yes, I practise many times to learn this was. I also practise many times to make better as going down hill I make a section many times to get better at this. I practise many times to learn his style
Did you ever go practising with Jordi?
Sometimes, yes, in Rellinars down by the watermill. I go there as he never go out of Rellinars ha ha
Did you ever go practising with Salvador Garcia?
Yes, sometimes, but not many. He is a good friend. In the Trials des Nations he is the Spanish boss now. He is the boss of the Spanish team
At the end of 1986 you joined Mecatecno from Montesa, why did you come to Mecatecno?
Because in 1986 it was a very bad year with very bad results and I ask Montesa factory things about the bike and they don’t agree with me and I leave
What was wrong with the bike?
There were many things. The engine and the weight of the frame. I test the Mecatecno bike and I like it
Did you know the men of Mecatecno before you joined them?
No
Did Jordi come to you and say I would like you as a rider?
Yes, Jordi come to me.
Jordi Rabasa then says - from 1981 when Lluis won the Spanish Junior Championship I see Lluis and I was impressed
Had you ever ridden a Mecatecno before you joined?
No, never. I ride the green prototype Dragonfly, but not the finished Dragonfly. The Dragonfly arrived and I thought this was an advanced bike and was in an advanced position. It was very good for the trial. It is better than the other bikes and was at the top. It had very good balance and a very good engine. It had good suspension. It was the top bike. The engine was very soft but with power
What happened to your wage when you went from Montesa to Mecatecno?
It stayed the same because I have contract with results and also a standard wage as well. My results were good so I get paid well
You were the first rider to rider the Dragonfly, did this get a lot of interest?
Yes, it gets much interest. The people say it is a strange colour but a very good bike. The people like the bike as the bike works well. They watch and they can see this is a very good bike. I like the bike a lot. I design the tank on the bike and ask for a small tank. The colours were not important for me. I only think about the bike and how the bike is for the trial and the section
What other changes did you make to the bike?
Only changes to the engine. I ask Joan and he always find me a solution
In 1987 how many Dragonfly’s did you use in the year?
Just 2 or 3 as always I change parts and not necessary to change the whole bike. I would ride 2 bikes in the World Championship. The bike I practise on is the bike I ride in the trial
Did you ever kill the engine of the Dragonfly?
Yes, I remember in Ireland I kill engine. I think mud got inside the engine and it was difficult to finish the race. I have to take a 5 at some section to finish. I think this is the only time
What were your thoughts when Jordi Tarres came along with the tricks?
First I thought this was not effective, he take many risk to make better trial and make mistakes but after this change and after time he gets much better and steps up
Did his riding change you?
Yes, I practise many times to learn this was. I also practise many times to make better as going down hill I make a section many times to get better at this. I practise many times to learn his style
Did you ever go practising with Jordi?
Sometimes, yes, in Rellinars down by the watermill. I go there as he never go out of Rellinars ha ha
Did you ever go practising with Salvador Garcia?
Yes, sometimes, but not many. He is a good friend. In the Trials des Nations he is the Spanish boss now. He is the boss of the Spanish team
At the end of 1986 you joined Mecatecno from Montesa, why did you come to Mecatecno?
Because in 1986 it was a very bad year with very bad results and I ask Montesa factory things about the bike and they don’t agree with me and I leave
What was wrong with the bike?
There were many things. The engine and the weight of the frame. I test the Mecatecno bike and I like it
Did you know the men of Mecatecno before you joined them?
No
Did Jordi come to you and say I would like you as a rider?
Yes, Jordi come to me.
Jordi Rabasa then says - from 1981 when Lluis won the Spanish Junior Championship I see Lluis and I was impressed
Had you ever ridden a Mecatecno before you joined?
No, never. I ride the green prototype Dragonfly, but not the finished Dragonfly. The Dragonfly arrived and I thought this was an advanced bike and was in an advanced position. It was very good for the trial. It is better than the other bikes and was at the top. It had very good balance and a very good engine. It had good suspension. It was the top bike. The engine was very soft but with power
What happened to your wage when you went from Montesa to Mecatecno?
It stayed the same because I have contract with results and also a standard wage as well. My results were good so I get paid well
You were the first rider to rider the Dragonfly, did this get a lot of interest?
Yes, it gets much interest. The people say it is a strange colour but a very good bike. The people like the bike as the bike works well. They watch and they can see this is a very good bike. I like the bike a lot. I design the tank on the bike and ask for a small tank. The colours were not important for me. I only think about the bike and how the bike is for the trial and the section
What other changes did you make to the bike?
Only changes to the engine. I ask Joan and he always find me a solution
In 1987 how many Dragonfly’s did you use in the year?
Just 2 or 3 as always I change parts and not necessary to change the whole bike. I would ride 2 bikes in the World Championship. The bike I practise on is the bike I ride in the trial
Did you ever kill the engine of the Dragonfly?
Yes, I remember in Ireland I kill engine. I think mud got inside the engine and it was difficult to finish the race. I have to take a 5 at some section to finish. I think this is the only time
LLUIS GALLACH ON THE MECATECNO DRAGONFLY
LLUIS GALLACH ON THE MECATECNO DRAGONFLY
LLUIS GALLACH ON THE MECATECNO DRAGONFLY
