INTERVIEW WITH ALBERT CABESTANY
27 June 2005 - Sherco

The 2005 Trials competition season for Sherco began with a new and important challenge.

With the signing of one of the best riders in the world, Albert Cabestany, Sherco returned to the forefront of the World Trials scene. After a reasonable phase in time for Albert and the team we are very excited and pleased with the results that have been obtained thus far. Here is an interview with Albert.

Albert, your results have improved in the last events, will you please explain the reason for the improvements?

The truth is that the team and I are very satisfied with the evolution that we are experiencing. I believe that it is logical and completely understandable. Sherco already had a great motorcycle when I come on board to ride for them; however it took some time for me to adjust to the new bike especially battling for a World title. The desire to do well on a new motorcycle and for a new employer has caused me to work very hard. Nearly half a year has passed and I believe that we are moving in the right direction, with the help of the great one ''Paxau'' and all of the mechanics as well as all of the rest of the team we are continuing to improve. I have to also mention my father and my minder Xavi Vilalta who support me at all of the events.

At the beginning of the season it seemed that Adam Raga had it quite easy, but now you are making it more difficult for him. What do you believe is the reason for that?
I believe that the picture was painted very bright for Adam at the beginning of the year, the first week of January provided him with some very good news. The HRC team announced that their three riders would be competing on the brand new Montesa 4T machines; it would obviously require time for the riders to adapt to the new bikes. Jeroni Fajardo was inexperienced in the world indoors and then I was in a situation similar to the members of the HRC team. Just as I explained before it takes a 100% effort to fight for a World Championship. All of this was very favorable for Adam who obviously took advantage of the situation. We have all gained more experience as the year has passed and I in particular find that I am stronger and have adapted very well to the new motorcycle and the new team since January of 2005. In particular I think that I have made great strides in the past month, even more so than Adam. I have been very pleased with the performance of the bike since day one; its performance was impeccable in all of the indoor events. To this I must add that the Sherco seems to be very suitable for the outdoor events. I suppose this produces in me a desire to ride well outdoors.''

What is your typical training schedule when you are not competing?

A week from Monday to Sunday without races gives us time to concentrate on training without the distractions of traveling and competing. I will train a couple of days per week very close to the PXC Sherco trials research and development department, this allows me to consult with the engineers, always under the attentive oversight of the manager Josep Rovira Paxau. Josep will monitor the performance and the development of the bike, his approach is to make changes little by little. Xavi Vilalta will work with me to coach and supervise my riding, always working to improve. The rest of the week I will train close to where I live, in the mornings I will ride the bike and then in the afternoons I will exercise while my father finalizes all of the details for my training the following day.

How do you work with Josep Paxau? What system do you use?

With Paxau it has been very easy from the first moment. We tuned in perfectly on that first day, he really surprised my as he looked over the motorcycle and was able to adapt the Sherco to my riding style. Each development step that he has done has taken us in the right direction, which has continued to raise my confidence to a very high level. When he makes changes to the motorcycle I know that it will perform better the next time that I ride it.

What aspects of the motorcycle do you like to work in your favor?

I like the bike to be very comfortable when I am riding it. This causes me to feel like I am one with the bike, I like for it to function perfectly, and this is what gives me those good sensations when I know that I am in control. We have worked a lot with the suspensions; I believe that we have made great strides in this department. Contrary to what many think most of the work we have done has been to make the bike work for me rather than me having to adapt to the bike. As a result both things have happened, I have adapted to the bike and the bike has adapted to me. This has been very beneficial in our quest for the World Championship.

What do you think about the performance of the 4T bikes that some like in certain conditions?

I believe that the performance of the HRC 4T is worthy of admiration. Judging by its results at the present time they are at the same level of competition that they were this time last year with the old mount. To say that they perform better in some conditions is difficult; I believe that the rider makes the biggest difference, although in certain conditions the characteristics of the 4T may give it an advantage. There is a significant difference between the HRC 4T project and the Sherco 4T project, the Sherco project was developed by a company that''s first love has always been trials and the engine was developed as a trials only engine from the beginning. I believe that the Sherco 4T trials bike will prove to be a very formidable competitor in the world of Trials competition. The Sherco team put all of its passion for the sport into its development.

Have you tested the Sherco 4T? Do you see yourself competing on it in the future?

After the world round that was held in Tarragona I took one for a very short 5 minute ride, I just rode it around to get a feel for the bike. Later we decided that I should give the bike a thorough test and see where it was in comparison to my 2T. We took a stock bike and installed a set of ''Cabestany'' handlebars and my suspensions on it and took it where we had trained a couple of weeks prior on my 2T. We finished up the day with a smile on our face. On 95% of the sections I was able to surpass my performance over my 2T. Obviously the greatest problem was my lack of experience on the bike; I did not know how it would react in every situation. It proved to us that we have a very good base for the future.

What do you think is your strongpoint?

It is difficult for me to respond to this question. I believe that with time I have managed to acquire a high level of technical skill on the motorcycle. I notice that I am able to read a section and size it up for my style of riding which helps me obtain the best result.

What do you think of your team?

I believe that we have the best team, it is a very homogeneous team, and every one knows their task very well and they perform their tasks extremely well. Each one has their own job and they carry it out with a clear objective: to win. Everyone, beginning with my father, Xavi, Pep, Paxau, Jaume and Pere from PXC and the great Sherco factory family give me a tremendous sense of tranquility and well being that reflects itself in the way we confront the events. In addition I count myself very lucky to have the support of Octagon Esedos and Joan Fontsere who are very passionate about the sport, they have provided me with great human support and helped me develop as a professional athlete.

We find ourselves approximately half way through both the Championship of Spain and of the World Championship. What do you believe are your possibilities in both of these events?

I believe in being a realist, and looking at our position in the standings, and not meaning to sound pretentious I believe that we can aspire to be champions in both contests. Obviously that will be a very difficult and hard task, but I believe that the results speak for themselves and we can aspire to be champions.

You have told us very little about your personal life. What are your fondnesses''s outside of the world of motorcycles? Do you have a girlfriend? What would you change for the future?

The truth is that everything with wheels and a motor fascinates me. I share a fondness for radio controlled cars with my father. We spend time together taking them apart and putting them back together as well as running them. I would like to continue in the world of motorcycle racing where my favorite riders are Rossi and Pedrosa. I also am fascinated with the world of F1, where I enjoy watching them race on television. My favorite driver is Fernando Alonso; I also really enjoy watching the rallies. I have lived with my girlfriend Yolanda for one and a half years; I am very comfortable with her. Spending time with her allows me to disconnect from the world of trials and not have the thoughts of competition in my head 24 hours a day, thinking how I can confront all of the tests with the maximum amount of coolness. We like to go to movies and often enjoy watching a good episode of ''Aquí no hay quien viva''. I also enjoy taking walks with my dog Dune who is a year and a half old Dalmatian. Dune accompanies me on my daily training rides; he has become my second backpacker. Changing my specialty? The truth is that I love trials and I would like to dedicate the remainder of my life to this sport. If not trials then any other motor sport that would allow me to live with the intensity that I am experiencing now.

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