Tony Bou (Montesa Honda), trial world champion for thirty-four times, seventeen in outdoor mode and as many indoors, now acknowledges, after many “conversations” with his friend Carlos Checa, that the Dakar may not be far away.
Although it is true that, between smiles, Toni Bou confirms that he sees the Dakar “as an adventure” because on a motorcycle he believes that it is “very dangerous, there is a very high level” and he is not a rider “that can be afforded”, with his character, he remarks, of going there just to have fun.
“I think it was a mistake to take the risk, even though Honda has a super competitive bike and, obviously, it should be something super fun, but I don’t have the speed to do it well and then I won’t have fun, so getting that speed is would be taking a very high risk. Like a car adventure? Ok, we’ll see. In the end, life takes many turns and, although I still think not, life takes many turns and, in the end, it can be,” he elaborated.
Question: Perhaps you have discussed this on several occasions with Carlos Checa?
Answer: Well, Carlos is a former pilot with whom I have an incredibly good relationship and we are friends and neighbors in Andorra, we spend a lot of time together and he made me see this thing in other way and maybe it’s a little. because of him, who told me a thousand stories and a thousand things, which changed my perspective a little.
Yes, it’s true that I still see far, but having someone so close, who did it, changed me a little.
Q. What motivates you, after 17 years at the top of world trials, to continue competing and winning at that level?
A. I would say that the fact that it went so well is why it is easier for you to start again and fight, even if it is for the same reason, but you are in a very positive dynamic and you have a very good loss- action , even if it goes wrong, it’s what helps you feed yourself. Those good memories, that knowledge that, even with problems you made it, is what keeps you on top for years. And, obviously, I love what I do, otherwise it would be completely impossible.
Q. When you arrive at a race, don’t you notice that your competitors already see that the rest of them have to fight for the next position because Toni Bou has arrived?
A. (Smiling) Well, on the one hand yes and on the other hand no. On the one hand, obviously, I’m the uncomfortable rival, but on the other hand, I’m a rival that gives them motivation, because in the end whoever loses to me, like it happened at the beginning of the season, where Jaime bust beat me three out of the first six races, and we’re tied, because it’s a great motivation. I think that’s what they’re looking for and their motivation on a daily basis is easier than mine.
Q. Your Montesa Honda and you form an almost incomparable and perfect pairing, what flaw can you highlight or where should you improve?
A. Obviously knowing that the rider always finds flaws and maybe I want it to be a motorcycle that is a bit more aggressive, a bit faster, but that is also one of its virtues, this stability, this peace of mind gives you, in that the pilot can do the rest. That’s one of their strengths, so we’re working on it, but it’s very difficult to find a compromise.
Q. And what defect or what should Toni Bou improve as a driver?
A. I will need to be faster because, obviously with age, you lose the spark or quick reactions when it comes to being fast, especially in your legs and having that spark which, as I say, we are trying to work on and improve, but it’s something that In age it happens and what we focus on to try to reach the maximum of what we have, because it’s something complicated.
Q. Are you still without limits in your sports career after 17 years in the world elite?
A. We continue a little in the same way, because at the end of this year the physicality was fine, we had more problems with the sensations, I couldn’t find what I wanted on the bike and, in the end, for the team it was a bit complicated working with a driver who is clear in what he wants, because we pushed hard, but the team reacted, again, in an incredible way.
At the beginning of the season, even though I was winning, I wasn’t comfortable on the bike. The team worked very well and they gave me that little bit of confidence and security to feel more comfortable at the end of the races and regain the confidence that we didn’t have at the beginning of the season. That has been very positive for me.
Q. This is your first year without Miguel Cirera by your side, but with your new manager and former teammate Takahisa Fujinami at the helm, have you noticed many differences?
A. In the end we had a very, very good relationship with Miguel, and they were years of great, total success, because he also brought me to the team and I can only have words of thanks to him, and with Fuji we had a very good We are pilots and we have been working together for many, many years.
The truth is that having a world champion as a manager is something incredible, especially because of the good vibes and his trust in me. In the end we work and we are all together and in this group we also have Gabri – Gabriel Marcelli, his colleague – who is the young driver we have in the team, who has a very good projection, and I think this is a team in that there is a very good vibe and that makes it easier to work.
Q. When you stop competing, do you see yourself in Fujinami’s position or do you think more about other types of work?
A. (Smiling) Let’s see, I’m thinking a lot and I’m restless, let’s see what happens, but I think I will continue to be linked to Honda, because my goal is to finish my career here and try to stay with them, I think it’s what we both want, but I don’t think it’s on the ‘Fuji’ site. I think it will be different since my feelings or intentions are somewhat different and I believe that ‘Fuji’s’ position is not in danger (new smiles).
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
