But the bike is moving like this !!!
The job of a Team Manager is to be manager, friend, confessor and psychologist, all in one. Jorge Martinez gives us some insight into the backstage secrets of a racing team.
Motorbike riders are very peculiar people. Brave, brilliant and daring. They do miracles on the bike and shoot across the track at 300 kph. Most of the times, their problems arise once the engine has stopped, and that is the moment where the team manager has to play a very important role. The most popular one is Jorge Martínez, a clever, distinguished veteran, who knows more than what he says, who is more patient than what he believes to be and who has the perspective of someone who has gone through almost everything. His pupils are Fonsi Nieto, Toni Elias and Pablo Nieto among others. He explains what his job really is like from the inside. The fans see you always on the starting grids, but they dont see the work of the previous days. What is your real task? ‘Thats a good question. I actually do a bit of everything. Im boss, psychologist, father and friend at the same time. A lot of things happen during the weekend, problems arise, and setting up the bike is a complex thing that hardly ever comes out as it should. Sometimes the riders get back to the pit garage and transmit very fast a load of sensations. With regard to the technical aspect, my job is to sit down with the riders and let them explain what kind of a problem they have. The actual responsibility is shared between the rider and the technical manager but my job is to act as an interpreter between them. Fortunately all team members have already a lot of experience and we know what to do to find out what the problems are and how to solve them, especially when a rider is giving it all, doesnt make the times he is expecting and doesnt know what to do’. But you dont directly get involved in the practices. ‘During practices I try to disturb as little as possible. Those are the moments of responsibility for the technicians and I let them work the way they know. I try to stay close to the riders when they enter the pit garage, give them their intermediate times and warn them about the performance of some of their rivals. As I see them lapping on TV I also tell them where theyve done a good job and if theyve made any mistake. Those are very tense moments so you have to talk to them only as much as strictly necessary and not disconcert them ‘. These are the key moments, but what about the whole weekend? The previous work is vital. Which is the usual process? ‘Every day is different and every moment of a GP has a special aspect to work on. On Thursdays we meet with the mechanics to analyse the technical novelties of the bikes, the track conditions, the weather forecasts and everything that may affect the GP. Everybody gives his opinion. The bike might have been working perfectly well yesterday but be working bad today. I have a meeting with the riders and try to make them forget everything about the last GP, no matter if things went wrong or right. I want them to concentrate on the new circuit and to think that this is a new GP, with different problems and a different situation. I try to see how they feel and ask them to try and concentrate on the practices from the first session. I give them psychological support and always want them to focus on things. The riders are youngsters. If they had good results two weeks ago I bring them back to earth. If things went wrong I try to cheer them up and see what can be done to improve the bikes performance.’ So you are psychologist rather than team responsible? ‘Most of the times, yes. The performance of a rider has a great deal to do with his level of self-confidence. They have to be sure that they are able to do what they want to, that they are able to ride at their level and it is not always like that. I try to help them, and having been a rider myself helps me to know exactly what is happening to them. That is why I can help them and why I can see what they are doing wrong. Sometimes they are not aware of their mistakes and my job is to calm them down. Sometimes it is the other way around and I have to stop them and tell them to do everything step by step’. Are you sometimes forced to lay down rules in their private lives? ‘Only a little. Above all, we are working with very responsible people. If it werent like that, they wouldnt be where they are. But the change of generation is very important and the riders entering the world championship are getting younger. Each one of them is different and I cannot treat them all the same way, it would be a big mistake. I insist very much on having a well-ordered life. I want them to have fun and enjoy, because they are young, but I want them also to physically prepare themselves very well and with highly professional trainers. The physical condition will allow them to finish the hardest races in good shape. This is a basic aspect and I really can say that Im very satisfied with their job and dedication’. All of this to get to the starting grid with the homework done, the bikes set up and the riders in perfect physical and mental condition. It may seem easy but it really isnt.
