After his podium finish at the recent Grand Prix of China, young Esteve Tito Rabat is now looking forward to his new challenge, the GP of France, next weekend. Tito insists that it is time to keep the feet on the ground and continue working.
Have you watched the Grand Prix of China? What do you think about your race? Yes I have, three or four times. It was a beautiful race. I’m very happy because it went very well. I gave my very best and I’m really glad I made it.From this new perspective, tell us now how you felt when the race finished, when you stepped on the podium, the champagne, the official press conference….what do you remember? I remember it as a wonderful day. It was just great. I have very good memories because I was very, very happy.How was your arrival in Barcelona, your family, friends, etc? They were all very happy and we had dinner at home all together, with the whole family; it was great.After the excellent race in China, have you been recognised in the streets by fans? Have you been asked for autographs? Well, I can’t say whether I’ve been recognised by more people or not. Some people from my hometown have approached me, but that’s it.Did you ever think during the winter that you would be able step on the podium in your first year with the Repsol Honda Team 125cc? Did you think that you would achieve it in a circuit in which you had never been before? To tell you the truth: no, I had never dared to imagine.Now France. Will we see you on the podium again? No, no! I don’t think so. I’ll make it the best I can, I’ll try to learn as much as possible and then the good results will come. I’m not forced to achieve great results, just to do it the best I can.You finished eighth in Qatar, crashed out in Jerez and finished fourteenth in Istanbul, and suddenly you’re third in China. How would you summarise these first four races? Every race has something different. It was a surprise for me to finish eighth in Qatar; it made me very happy. It was the first time I was more or less in the front of a race of the World Championship and I was very happy. In Jerez I learned that I don’t have to rush. Especially if the practices do not work out, I don’t have to get nervous in the first corner, because there are many laps ahead to recover and I have to push forward, but always facing it calmly. Turkey taught me how to face the practice session and in the last race in China, I was able to apply what I had learned in Istanbul, which allowed me to be in the front.Lapping in a World Championship race with the leading riders, even leading the race, must be like a quick and extremely intense learning course… Yes, it’s a quick course, because you are among the best, learning their racing lines, what they are doing and how they do it; it’s great to progress.What kind of advice do you get from Raúl Jara, Alberto Puig and Juan Martínez? They always give me good advice because they helped me a lot and I’m sure that I wouldn’t have been able to do what I did without their advice. They are actually very simple things but I’m step ahead of last year and that is with no doubt due to their advice.Is it hard to race in completely new circuits? Sure. It’s a handicap because things get more difficult. But that’s what we have and there’s nothing we can do. I only think about giving my very best and that’s it.What has been the most difficult for you so far? Everything is very difficult. It is difficult to achieve everything in general terms, be it setting the bike up, learning the circuits and doing everything you have to do at all times. You have to give your very best to be able to achieve the aims set.What can you tell us about your motorbike, the Honda RS 125cc? If you could make a wish about something to improve on your bike, what would it be? I don’t know what to improve because I haven’t tested any other 125cc bike. Neither Aprilia, nor KTM nor any other. I’ve always ridden a Honda and I don’t know what I would improve, but what I know is that I’m really happy with how the bike is doing.How is your relationship with your team-mate, do you get along well with Bradley or do you go separate ways in the garage?We get along great, we’re friends!DIRECT AND PERSONALYour motorcycling idol? I got two: Valentino Rossi and Dani Pedrosa.When you reach the necessary age, which car would you like to have? A big one, to put loads of things in it and with the possibility to tow a trailer.Would you parachute? Yes.Your favourite video game. MotoGPWhich is the last film you saw in cinema? 300.What kind of films do you like? It depends, but I like action films quite a lot.What kind of music do you like? It also depends, I like a lot of different types of music.Do you ski?Yes.Ski or snowboard? Both!After spending several days abroad due to practices, races, travels, what do you like most when you get back home? What I like most is sleeping in my own bed, which is extremely comfortable.Which country has impressed you most? I liked both Qatar and China a lot.Your favourite drink? Coca-Cola.Have you got a girlfriend? No.Do you like soccer? Yes. Your favourite team? Barcelona FC.Do you think they are going to win the League? Of course they will!
