MotoGP World Champion Lorenzo Says You Need 8 Eyes to Ride in India

A: Of course, we have struggled so much and have put in a lot of effort this season to achieve this goal, and once you achieve it you have to enjoy it to the fullest. I try to party with my friends, enjoy dinner and watch some soccer. We are doing lot of events and press days but you know, this is part of the job and I am happy to do it.

Q: If you were to pick the reasons for winning the championship, what would they be?

A: Firstly we take great care of my physical condition. I train a lot with my trainer because it's very important to be fit when racing. After that it was a case of winning when we could. We didn't give up even when I crashed in the rain. I didn't give up and I tried to win the championship despite knowing that it was very difficult or knowing that it may not be possible. But we still believed it, and this conviction and determination is probably what brought us the world title.

Q: You did a few laps on the Buddh International Circuit, what was your experience like?

A: This is the second time I've come here to India, the first time being in 2012. So I was glad to race on this very special track and to race with Indian fans of MOTOGP. I just tried to be a bit relaxed because I didn't want them to crash so I was constantly looking around and tried to stay calm for them. I just enjoyed the moment and was happy to advocate the sport in this huge country. The people have lot of passion for motor bikes and know a lot about MOTOGP. So it's important to stay here and promote this brand.

Q: Do you believe that the future of MOTOGP is in countries like India where there is growing interest? Do you believe that India will soon get on the map and are you looking forward to being part of MOTOGP India if it happens?

A: I really would like to be part of it. I really wish the MOTOGP comes here and Indian people can watch this sport because MOTOGP gets better every time you watch it, with more riders and possibilities to fight for the world title like we saw this year. Next year will be better in this aspect. So I wish that the owners and organizers of this track can deal with the MOTOGP officials and together bring MOTOGP to this huge prospective country.

Q: Given that this is a nascent sport in India with very few tracks and limited infrastructure around, what would your advice be to young Indian professional bikers?

ANS: Motorsport can be quite dicey. You need to have the technique, you have to have the experience to know your limit, and you need to know that to succeed in this sport, you need to be patient. You need to start early, when you are around 3-4 years old and have a good teacher. If say your father knows how to ride motor bikes, it really helps you to understand how to race and how to ride. If not then you have to find someone, a teacher or some people who can teach you how to compete which is very important. Of course it's an expensive sport and you have to have money to keep riding and if you are good enough maybe you can find some sponsors to keep your career growing.

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Q: The 2015 MOTOGP season unfortunately also got popular because of the events off the track by teammates like Rossi. Does that take the focus away from racing for you, especially when you go in to race?

ANS: For me, no. When I put on my helmet I don't think about anything. Just the next corner and when I pass the corner, the next one. So I don't think about what is happening outside the track. But of course it's not the most ideal of situations for MOTOGP because I prefer it when people speak about a good race. Maybe MOTOGP has become more popular with these incidents but we don't want such things to happen again. So I hope that all riders are respectful of each other, not only on the track but off the track as well.

Q: What's next for Lorenzo? Any future plans of challenging yourself in the 4-wheeler racing championship?

A: Maybe as a hobby but not as a profession. Because some of the drivers have been driving cars since they were 3 years old. So at their experienced level of driving, to beat them will be almost impossible. I think I still have lots to do in motorbike sports but maybe when I retire and don't have this pressure of demonstrating that I am still fast, maybe yes, as a hobby or just for enjoyment I will do some car racing.

Q: Would you be brave enough to take the motorcycle out on Indian roads?

A: It is difficult because there are lots of people in cars which doesn't leave a lot of space for bikes. You need to have 8 eyes to try to avoid complications or problems. It's so difficult. But I would like to tell Indian road users to stay calm, and not try to go too fast. A motorbike is to go from just one place to another so be careful especially on city roads.