“I like to assist our riders with what they want”

After a profitable profession as a rider which concluded on the finish of 2021, Takahisa Fujinami assumed the problem of changing into supervisor of the Repsol Honda Staff. In his first yr in control of the workforce, with Toni Bou and Gabriel Marcelli as riders, he was a part of a construction that took the TrialGP and X-Trial titles.

– What’s your evaluation of your first season as workforce supervisor? 

“I’ve been fortunate to have the ability to proceed with this workforce, which is the very best on the planet, as workforce supervisor. I’ve to thank HRC for giving me this chance. Trying on the outcomes, Toni is stronger than ever at 36 years outdated, however the essential factor is that he hasn’t harm himself. Making certain that Toni had no accidents was one of many targets for this season and because of this I attempted to make it possible for he didn’t power issues bodily in order to not danger a lot. I’m very glad to have the ability to assist each him and Marcelli. In the beginning of the yr, Gabriel was fairly nervous, most likely due to the strain of being a part of the manufacturing unit workforce. Everybody was paying shut consideration to him and he pushed exhausting to get outcomes. He needed to study a whole lot of issues to adapt his model to the bike, however it has solely been a matter of time. In the long run he achieved a number of fourth locations and a win within the final race of the Spanish championship, so I’m additionally proud of him.”

– What do you count on from Marcelli in 2023?

“His degree of expertise is kind of excessive, however I believe it’s potential for him to complete on the rostrum in each race; we should combat for that, and in addition to additionally attempt to end within the Prime 3 on the finish of the season.”

– Is Toni Bou’s goal to take two extra titles?

“Positively. We imagine that he’s very sturdy and is basically clever. He has a giant talent benefit over every other rider and, on paper, he can win each titles in 2023.”

– You’ve gotten established totally different collective coaching periods, with the participation of all of the riders and mechanics. Is the efficiency significantly better like this?

“That was additionally performed earlier than, however it was solely among the many riders; We agreed to coach collectively earlier than, however now it is a request from the workforce. We have now a no 1 rider and the opposite Montesa riders can study from him. The belief that’s created throughout the workforce is essential, and it is sort of a household.”

– The connection with promoters or race organisers, with different factories and workforce managers was one thing new for you. Has something shocked you?

“For me it has been like ranging from scratch in some ways. For instance, getting the license. Earlier than, the workforce did it and now I’ve to deal with it myself. My cellphone does not cease ringing. It is a large change and at first it appeared like I’d discover it actually exhausting, however we have already tailored to it. Miquel Cirera, the earlier workforce supervisor, had all the things below management. Perhaps I nonetheless must study one thing, however I believe we’re heading in the right direction, though with my very own model.”

– What do you want most about this job?

“Serving to. I like to assist Gabriel and Toni with what I believe they want. If the outcomes come that means, it is like a reward for everybody.”

– What do you want least?

“Workplace work! (laughs)”.

– You’ve gotten lately been in Japan to have a good time Honda Thanks Day and spend a number of days testing with the Japanese HRC technicians and engineers. What did you concentrate on that?

“In the long run, every rider chooses the bike they like greatest, with the engine and setup they like greatest. Then there may be the work with the engineers in order that they will present all the things that the riders ask them to do. It’s a query of time to get precisely what everybody desires, however normally it was a great take a look at.”

– The TrialGP World Championship appears to be again to “regular” subsequent yr, with extra races and the return of Motegi…

“For 3 years now it has appeared that we’re in “one other world,” racing solely in Europe and with one-day races. The pandemic has additionally affected the workforce internally, since HRC technicians haven’t been in a position to come to Europe -neither to the races nor to our exams. Now plainly all the things goes higher and we imagine that it will likely be good for everybody.”

– On Honda Thanks Day you got a farewell tribute. What’s going to occur in Might in Motegi on the TrialGP World Championship race?

“Many individuals have requested me to trip once more simply to say goodbye to everybody, however clearly that isn’t potential. I wish to, however I am not ok for that and, moreover, I’ve a job to do and I’ve to assist the workforce.”

– This yr you gained the constructors’ title, making Montesa World Champions. 

“Montesa have the one 4-stroke bike within the World Championship. Folks say that it’s a heavy bike, however you get superb outcomes with this bike. Maybe in some points we now have a handicap, however there are different points during which it supplies benefits.”