This weekend’s double-header of Trial at the Motegi circuit in Japan marks the beginning of a new season of the Outdoor Trial World Championship with the scores at zero for the new year. Gas Gas Factory rider, Adam Raga, enters this new season with one goal in mind - to regain the Outdoor World Championship title.
With the new season comes renewed hopes and ambitions for the rider from Ulldecona and recent positive results provide optimism and confidence to take on a new season with the highest aspirations in the world championship.
What are Adam’s thoughts as we enter a new Championship? Read on to find out…
It has been just a month and a half since the end of the X-Trial World Championship in Oviedo and we are at the beginning of the 'outdoor' World Championship, how do you see the coming season?
“We arrived at this season opener in great form, as demonstrated in recent races. I think the success of the last World indoor reflects the good work of the team, we are working in the right direction and that is very important to be this early in the season as prepared as possible. I am very pleased as we arrived at Motegi, as I think we are strong."
Now it is time to change the 'chip', the 'indoor' season is already a part of the past and now we must focus on the 'outdoor'.
“Yes. After finishing the 'indoor' world championship we focused on training for the 'outdoor' and especially for this Trial in Japan. We know what we will find and this is why we have been training in the style of these sections. This year we have completed the indoor season having done the best of recent times, perhaps the best since 2006, when we won the world title. And that's because of the good work, which has led us to be at this high level and this also gives us the confidence to achieve good results.”
How do you foresee this new season that starts this weekend at Motegi?
“When the season starts everything always looks very difficult, with complicated challenges. There is always renewed motivation by all the riders, new bikes ... It is not easy and that is why it is very important to fight at all times, to be competitive and try to be always in the front positions, as the season is very long and, finally, there is the reward."
Last year the world championship started off right for you, with a win in the Japanese GP.
“Last year I managed to win both days, but I think this year will not be as easy to repeat that victory. We are running at the home track for one of our main rival brands and my two victories last year still weigh in my memory. I think we will have a good race and try to get the maximum advantage, and if possible, to repeat with another victory.”
What is the goal for this season?
“The same as in recent years: winning. We have spent two years in which we have lacked very little, in which we have been very close to achieving our goal, which is none other than the world championship. They have been very positive in terms of season results, but now it's time to finish our job and win, the goal for which we work and strive each day.”
In your favour is the confidence that you get from your bike, the Gas Gas TXT 300 Racing, one bike that you are more than familiar
“Our Gas Gas is a motorcycle in which we have worked very hard. We have almost three years looking for the most effectiveness in this model, year after year, we are adjusting small details and further improving. We have a bike that is reliable, powerful, and capable of winning races in the world championship. So you have to keep improving, looking forward and keeping the trust that has led us to achieve this good line of results, working and working hard every day to improve to win.”