Last Sunday, Jeroni Fajardo closed the trial world championship season with the runner-up in the TrialGP World Championship, culminating a very good year in his return to GasGas. The Catalan rider has frequented the places of honour in this series, as he has finished on the podium 6 times, one of them the victory in Motegi, Japan. Jeroni’s record, with the Spanish Championship still to finish, is very positive and a good part of this success is due to the good connection that exists between rider, bike and team.
What does it mean for you to achieve your first runner-up position in TrialGP?
“For me it’s a confirmation, a satisfaction… A lot of things. There are a lot of sensations in a single moment and what is clear is that it is a great joy for everyone, because we have achieved the goal we set ourselves at the beginning of the year, the World Championship runner-up”.
How did you experience the last race in which you confirmed the second final position?
“Last Sunday’s race was not perfect but it did help us to get on the podium, controlling the race to maintain a two-point advantage over the third-placed rider. I can only say that I am very happy and that I want to thank the team for the great work and effort made to achieve this runner-up position”.
What do you think are the keys to this runner-up?
“Returning to GasGas has allowed me to achieve this dream. I was able to ride a bike that I had always felt very good with and now back to it, I have found a bike that is even more evolved and works even better than before. That helps me to live this second youth. Also the good vibes we have among the whole team. It’s a combination of factors that have made it possible for me to be at the top again.”
How much responsibility does TXT Racing have for achieving this result?
“TXT plays a big role in this success. It’s an impressive bike, with incredible potential and one that we probably haven’t taken advantage of one hundred percent yet. This gives you extra confidence which, when you take stock at the end of the championship, makes the difference.”
What do you think have been your strengths on TXT Racing?
“My strengths this season have perhaps been the plus that this bike gives you in very difficult situations and that in some races we have been able to take advantage in places where other people could not pass. The pity is that the championship has not been too demanding and we have not been able to take advantage of these situations in all the races, but in some of them we have had the opportunity and we have been able to make a difference.”
“Jaime [Busto] is an incredible rider who has given me a lot of freshness and also that point of competitiveness”
And which ones would you like to improve?
“Looking ahead to next year I would like to have a bit more peace of mind when it comes to riding. In the World Championship races, as there are 15 sections, you have to be prepared to complete very difficult sections but also to pass other fairly easy ones very safely. This is where we have to gain a bit of peace of mind so that we don’t make mistakes and improve in this aspect.”
What has sharing a team with Jaime Busto given you this year?
“Jaime is an incredible rider, very young as well and who has given me a lot of freshness and also that point of competitiveness. When you’re alone in a team, in the end, if things don’t go well, you may think it’s not your fault, it’s because of the bike or because of the team. On the other hand, the fact that there are two riders often makes you see that no, that the other one manages to do what you can’t do and that helps both me and him. It’s always good to have two riders in the same team.”
GasGas has launched the revamped TXT Racing, what do you think of the changes that have been introduced in the new bike?
“The changes that have been made to the bike have been very positive. We’ve noticeably improved the rear suspension, which is now more solid and more consistent. Also in the clutch cover we have had a substantial improvement in terms of stability. The clutch is now more consistent throughout a stroke, works better and flexes less. As drivers, we are very grateful for these two improvements.”
And now, what are the next goals for you?
“The season isn’t over yet. The Outdoor World Championship is over, which is perhaps the most important, but the Spanish Outdoor Championship is still at stake, because at the end of the day we are the same riders who battle each other. We are all very close in the standings, Toni Bou stood out a bit last weekend in León where I had the injury and I couldn’t have a good race. But Jaime [Busto], Albert Cabestany and even Adam Raga, who missed the first test, we are very close in the points. The goal is to try to fight in this championship and also get a good result.”
GAS GAS TRIAL SPARE PARTS
