To say goodbye to life is not easy and this is what you face Adam Raga (42 years old, Ulldecona) next February 2 at 48th Universe Indoor Trial BCN celebrated in Palau Sant Jordi. After decades on a motorcycle test, the Catalan Rider will hang his monkey in front of his audience.
Days before that rollercoaster of emotions, MD had the opportunity to chat with Adam about his career, what was waiting for discipline and much more. But one thing is clear: he will stop competing but he will not be neglected by the trial of life.
What do trials mean to you?
My whole life has been. I started when I was young and when I was 16 years old I had set myself here. So I don’t know anything else.
Tell us about the evolution of the test to all these people of career.
At a technical level it is clear that it has developed dramatically to the point where incredible objects are now done. Then there is a sponsor issue that becomes complicated and perhaps the most complex moment in this sense in this sport.
How should promotors and institutions approach to achieve greater visibility?
The promotion. The development of the sport is very important. If we look at the past, for example, no one has seen Dakar and now seems obligatory. They played it after the news and you saw it no matter what. Thus, this sport increased. Ultimately, when people see something famous, whatever they receive, they have more attention because it causes this attention.
What do you think is the future of the Trials Academy in Spain?
This is very good. Many young drivers with great projection. Although it is also true that some of the other nationalities are leaving. This is something that you haven’t hit a little bit because in the late years, we are all from here and we have many more podiums made where everything is Spanish. So I’m doing the World Cup with a bit of incentive. But it is still very difficult and competitive. But it is true that in the next generation there will be different types.
And you, as the leader of this discipline, what advice do you give this new generation?
I have a school dedicated to semi-professional and professional pilots. And there we tried to deliver everything. From the psychological approach to a career, managing emotions, to setting up the motorcycle and preparing it, the rider should be aware and know all the time what is happening on his motorcycle. In this way you will feel much more, without the mechanic on the motorcycle and you should explain in detail what is happening.
How do you want to remember?
It’s like a pilot that is always resistant, not giving up. This is something I want to pass on to new generations. I resisted every career to the end to achieve the best results and did not give up.
How important is it for you to close your Barcelona career, at home?
This is very important and in fact I do not know if it is possible to reach that date. After this year’s summer I decided to stop, but I set the goal to reach the internal event in Barcelona as it was a very special test for me and the world of trial. I think this is the best place. It will be very special because when you leave the sport of your life it brings mixed sensations between fun, nostalgia … it will be very emotional.
For many athletes it is difficult to realize that it is time to retire. How did you experience it?
You value different things. Once you experience family level, at the sports level … by the end of this year, I am fighting to go to the podium when I have done all my life to win the races. You realize because it’s not possible, that you have physical limitations, that you need to dose yourself and not practice more. This is a mix of sensations where you say you believe it’s time. I am being competitive until the end, which is not easy.
At any point I thought of it again despite having three podiums in the last four races. I am convinced that this is the time.
He won six world titles throughout his career. Is anyone particularly excited for you?
They were all important but above all the first internal championship in the world in 2003 was very special. It’s a bit against the odds and if you go back to you I thought I was only 20 years old. And taking the title seems very difficult.
Where do you enjoy it more: outside or indoors?
They are two different disciplines. The interior is an invention to watch this sport, to teach everything and it is so beautiful because the whole audience is about to cry.
But external is the essence of the test. There are many factors and you need to be a complete driver to study everything and then apply the procedure for each terrain, which can vary in a career depending on the place where you are.
Have you ever thought about changing disciplines?
All my life, it is clear to me that trials are my life. Replacing disciplines is a very complex thing because of that discipline there are people who have offered themselves here for many years. Unless it’s a mix or something completely new, it’s very difficult.
And what are your projects from now across school?
I continue to link to Sherco. We will continue working in 2026 models and will continue to develop bikes of riders who will continue to career. Outside of sports, I want to spend time with my family and become more relaxed.
Who was the main person of your entire career. What is the weight of Jordi Tarrés’ figure?
My dad and my mother of course. Ultimately, a motor sport has a cost that you would not have developed without the help of your family and they would make a great effort when I was young. Later, I was fortunate enough to find good people to continue to grow.
It was very important for me because when I started becoming a professional, they set up a scratches called the School of Champions and at that time he retired. They wanted to create champions and I got there when I was 16 years old. I read all your information. It was incredibly coming from a town like Ulldecona, where I did everything with my dad, and came there with one of the best drivers in history and to be with him and his mechanics and explain They have me all. It helped me a lot to get to the top.
A driver with you almost throughout your career is Toni Bou and he always wins. Does fighting him cause motivation to defeat him, frustration or what does this conflict mean to you?
Obviously very difficult. He is a very good rider who has fallen to the best test team. Super hard to beat him. In the end I had the biggest frustration the first year he beat me. From there a fight to beat him and it became very happy. With no championship in the world I was unable to defeat him, I defeated him in Spanish championships with the same conditions. But in a World Cup this has not been possible and these are the things you look at and I can say they will have 20 or more titles, because they eventually become a runner-up. But eventually it became positive for the sport and for me.
The two of you fight a Spain’s test on the spotlight …
Yes, as well as the development of the sport, the procedure changed dramatically as a result of this rivalry. The two of us prepared ourselves more for the next year and there were new things each year. And the fan was able to enjoy it.
Congratulations Adam on your career and thanks for joining us
to you.
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.
