Sebastián Porto, World Championship runner-up with Repsol, gets ready for the las challenge of the year, the Valencia GP.
Interview with the argentinean rider
The recently proclaimed World Championship runner-up, Argentinean rider Sebastián Porto, is relaxing for a couple of days in his second home in Sant Pere de Ribas, about 40 kilometres south from Barcelona, after his victory at the Australian Grand Prix. Joined by his father and his best friend Oscar, Sebastián, is getting ready for the last race of the year, the GP de la Comunitat Valenciana at the Ricardo Tormo circuit, where he will try to finish off the season with another victory. You were the fastest in Australia and managed to become championship runner-up. With what a mentality are you going to Valencia? With the same mentality as always: to be the fastest and to try to win the race. The top spots of the championship standings have already been awarded, but as I said, the mentality is still the same. Even more considering that were racing in Spain, the home country of my current team, the Team Repsol Aspar. They are very close to their home-country and Id love to give them a reason of joy; I really do! How do you feel knowing that youve been just about to become world champion? Great! Its been a very good season for me due to the victories and the final result. Weve taken several poles, victories, podium finishes, and that makes me feel very satisfied with the work done and with the achieved results. It would obviously have been much better to take the title but even though it hasnt been possible I think that weve made a great job. Deep inside it makes me feel a bit sad, but I really can be happy considering that it is my first year with Aprilia and with an official bike. Was it a surprise to see Pedrosa winning the Championship? Id be lying if Id say no. I counted on him at the beginning of the year because I knew that he is a great rider and I was sure that he was the Spanish rider with the best progression. Theyve also done a great job, the whole team, they knew how to get the best out of the bike and to make the best out of Danis qualities. Do you think that Pedrosa is going to be the man to beat next year? Yes, no doubt about it. Hell have the number one on his bike and that means a lot. Hell also be having a year of experience in the class and in addition to winning the title this year, hell have the experience and quality to be the man to beat next year. Which other riders do you think are going to be in the top spots next season? Well, first well have to see which riders are leaving the class, which ones are new and which ones are staying for the next season. Well have to count on Dani, Elias, De Puniet, and Dovizioso as well, who took the 125cc title this year and seems to be moving up to the 250cc next year. 5 victories, 9 poles so far, what would be your assessment of the season? Very positive, this has been my best year in the class and Im very happy with the achieved results. The team and I have understand each other at a 100% and weve got very good results. The balance is totally positive. What plans do you have after the championship is over? Ill fly back to Argentina and enjoy deserved holidays. The season is very intense and sometimes you have hardly time to assimilate everything. This last part of the Championship has passed at a very high pace, weve had hardly any spare time between races and that wears you out. I want to spend some time with my family and friends and enjoy with them. After your first experience this year with Aprilia, what bike do you think is the most complete of all the bikes youve raced with? Because youve already raced with Yamaha, Honda, Aprilia… The Aprilia with no doubt. Its the most complete and competitive bike of the three. The others have their good sides as well, but I think that the Aprilia is the most complete of the three. I know that we have to work to evolve it, but Honda will surely improve their bike for next year and we cannot stay behind. We have to start working right now to evolve the bike and be as competitive as possible. And last but not least, two rather personal questions… Are you a rider with any singular habits or superstitions?All riders have them. In fact I dont have any strange one: I always get on the bike from the same side, I try to have one moment of concentration before getting on the bike and I always like to do some stretching before getting on the track What do people say about a World Championship runner-up like you? Do people recognise you in Spain, in the small town you live in or in Barcelona?Yes. Im really delighted with how people treat me in Spain. Ive always said that Spain is like my second home and its a very nice place, with nice people and a great place to live. I live in Sant Pere de Ribas, some 40 kilometres south of Barcelona; a village very close to the sea where people treat me very well. Since this year Ive been noticing that many more people recognise me in the streets and stop to talk to me. That is something that does very good, because its tough being far from home. It easier to stand it if you get warmth of people.
