Héctor Faubel talks about Moto3

During the presentation of the Team Aspar, we were able to speak with many riders, but now we focus on the conversation we had with Héctor Faubel, a rider who faces his ninth world championship, this time debuting in Moto3, 250 cc bikes with 4-stroke engines, and like last year he is one of the favourites to win the championship.

Surely Héctor, with the great experience gained in the world championship, will be able to help a great deal so that both his team and Kalex and KTM can evolve. He knows how a bike like this should behave: short, and where corner speed is the priority, which is why he will be a reference for everyone.

PM: A new category, Moto3. Do you think it has evolved a lot since the first time you got on the bike until now?

HF: It has changed enormously since the first test. Up to the last test we were very happy, always among the top three in every session, but in the last three the Honda have improved enormously. Now we have to keep working. I am convinced it is going to be a year of total change from one race to the next. I think the evolution of the bikes won’t slow down until mid-season, because right now they are still a bit green.
And well, we may arrive a bit short for the first race, but you can’t go crazy, there are 18 Grand Prix and we have to go step by step. If I can’t win the race, then a podium or doing the best possible, to lose as few points as possible.

PM: Kalex chassis, KTM engine, is the combination good?

HF: In principle we trusted Kalex because they dominated in Moto2. The truth is that for now it’s difficult, and we have to keep working, but the direction is good. We have requested what we want and they are going to do it. I don’t think it will be ready for the first race, Qatar, but it will be for the second or third. It is important that they keep working and trust my guidelines in order to move forward.

PM: What changes have you requested?

HF: We are looking for a shorter bike that turns better in the corners, which is where we are most lacking, and at least to match the engine of Honda.

PM: Do you think the Honda is the bike to beat?

HF: In the last session it did look that way, but we have to trust the brand, the team and everyone. I trust KTM and we will certainly be better than Honda.

PM: What can you tell us about your goals for this year?

HF: The goal is to fight for the title. I have nine world championships behind me and I think this year we can aim for the title.

PM: As for favourites, who are your names?

HF: The KTM riders, Kent, Cortese, Viñales, my teammate and I are the big favourites, although surely some new people will emerge.

PM: Were you impressed by the development of Romano Fenati? He has done very well in these last tests, hasn’t he?

HF: The truth is he surprised us all. He has been very fast, a rider who hasn’t won any race in the CEV, only the European one, but that’s a single race. What we see is that his bike, an FTR Honda, has taken the top three positions. We believe it’s more the bike than the rider.

Thank you very much Hector and good luck this year.

Photos | David Gómez, Alejandro Batán (Plusmoto.com)