Toni Bou: “Where I don’t go, let the bike, and where the bike won’t go, I go”

seven victories in TrialGP and three second place this 2022. Four won in X Tests and second place, in addition to new ‘extra’ points out of ten possible. These are the numbers of Tony Bou this season, where he finishes with two more new world crowns in the pilot’s palmares of Repsol Honda Team.

“I’m happy because we dared X Trials and it went well for us, winning the first four races on the new bike. Then on outsideI did not feel well and we retreated a little and I think the path is this: where I will not go, let the motorcycle and where the motorcycle will not go, I will go”, said Catalan.

Bou It has achieved nothing and less than 32 titles. This year he achieved everything at stake, although for the driver it was not a perfect season. “It is difficult to do, but there are years when we have achieved it. Repeating a perfect season is very difficult: you have to win everything. 2022 was not our best year because we failed, and we failed less in other years we are better than this one”, he sincerely.

If it is characterized by something Bou This is due to her competitive desire and her desire to continue growing, reasons that explain why this person was not perfect for her. “I have things very clear: it was a very good year, we worked a lot, we did things well, but it was not our best season”.

However, ignoring some details, this year’s grade is good, between 7 and 8. “I would never wear 10, the team does, they have 10. They worked well, they did everything what I asked of them and I’m very grateful. They put a lot of desire and keep their motivation”, said Bou in his first year at Carlos and also included Fuji as a team leader.

Also, Bou has shared a team this year with Gabriel Marcelli. “He’s a very easy guy for me because he has a good attitude. Having teammates like him is very positive and he has a great level, although I see him better on the bike than the results he has him. He was gradually stabilized in new things.”

It wasn’t easy for any of them. With the Team Manager Takahisa Fujinami pilots don’t have time to adapt. Bou I won everything Miquel Cirera, 15 years of winning everything, but the pressure of losing a title is on his head. “Fujinami He worked a lot, he had no schedule and the best thing was that he understood us riders… He was there for whatever we needed. We’ve seen a lot of how things are done, which maybe made it easier, but anything that can be improved, it definitely will be.”

In addition, it was a year of almost unstoppable rivalry. “There are a bunch of more cutting-edge drivers than in other years and the races are easier, more people are fighting,” he said. Bou. This aspect benefited them because Repsol It became very regular and they managed to reach the title with many points ahead. “It became clear to us that we cannot fail, there are very good pilots who are sometimes left without a podium.”

ILLUSION BEFORE 2023

The new year is just around the corner and 2023 will have more races and a championship game X Tests. “Having 8 races inside the house and 12 outside It’s good because we came from a few years that were few. It is important to have more appointments on the calendar in both competitions and we want to hold one competition and, when finished, start another. Let’s finish the championship inside the house and start the outside It’s not the best, but if instead of only 4 races there will be 8, well… so!”.

The work has begun. They took a break in November to rest and for Honda Thanks Day and that’s where the physical preparation and riding the motorcycle began. “Last year we did something similar, but didn’t go Japanese. It was great to see the engineers again and work with them for a few days. It is very productive and the goal is to improve the work done last winter”, said Bou.

The preseason It was an exciting but also difficult time. “You improve towards the point you need, but you lose something that you already have. During the year we made some changes, looking to improve some aspects, but we realized that it cost a lot . Sometimes there are some things that the pilot can supply piloting and other parts you can supply for less”.

The purpose of this preparation should be as regular as possible and for the rider to do the rest. “Sometimes it’s not just the power, but having control over the bike,” he added.

The idea is to reach 2023 in the same physical condition as this season, where Bou He feels comfortable on the bike. “I have been better than the odd year, although it is true that we have done some things wrong. The rivals are pressing but we have made mistakes, hopefully 2023 will be as good as this year,” he confesses.