Gabriel Marcelli: ‘I’m ready to fight for the 2023 podium’

The young Galician has not disappointed with the Repsol Honda team this season. He has always been on top and has struggled to improve his driving. Closing out the year with a win at the national championship was how he ended a difficult season.

– How did your first year as a rider for the Repsol Honda Team feel and how did you rate the season?

“I am very happy with the team. There was pressure but as the track progressed I got used to my new position and I really have it.

– What is the best of 2022?

“A family built on a team. It is “harmony”. This sense of security helps me grow. “

– and the worst?

“Lesions. It’s been a season full of injuries. I broke my ankle, bacteria in my foot and a pobladura, I broke my wrist and it’s still there. I didn’t take it too seriously at the time, but I still ride my bike. I had three major injuries that prevented me from improving.

– You said you were happy with the team.They treated you well,with good equipment and good bikes..So what is the difference between you and Toni Bou?Only 32 titles ?

(Laughs) “Actually, right now, the gear and the bike are pretty much the same. I have everything I need and want. After all these years he has a lot of experience and his goal is to train harder than ever, improve his bike settings and continue to ‘cut the stone’. to improve. “

– What does Tony say?

“Toni helps me a lot. He always helped me when I was in the middle of the road and hopefully I can play against him in the World Cup.

– We talked about motorcycles. How is this bike different from Montesa Talent’s first bike at school?

“There has been a big evolution. A lot has changed from 2016 to now. Last year and this year I had a good bike and now it is much better. It hasn’t changed, so it was a qualitative leap in terms of the engine.”

– He wore the number 3 jersey at the Spanish championship, but chose to improve it. You were close to finishing runners-up, but you didn’t have the best start to the season. Yet you ended the year with a win.

“The same thing happened to me with the TrialGP World Championships. I went from less to more. As the competition progressed I absorbed a bit more of it and saw what options I really had. , was dropping points from second and won the last race, but was just short of runner-up.”

– What are your goals for 2023 at the Nationals?

“Since the end of 2022, we have been fighting for a win at every race. It would be nice to start like this and see the results improve as the season progresses. That’s better than dropping points.”

– The 2022 X-Trial World Championship started without you. You entered the contest in the second race, and your need to recover the points you failed to add in the first round was more than your skill and ability to achieve good results. Then Madrid arrived and found you at a very high level.

“I started out nervous, yes. I had a fall and injured my leg and two weeks later I had to race in Barcelona, ​​but obviously things didn’t go as expected. For the rest of my appointments I was already better, I found my place and ran with my head… some We made some mistakes, but I think we drove at a good level and showed that we can get ahead.We are ready to fight for the podium throughout the race.Season 2023″.

――It was difficult to get into the top 5 in the TrialGP, but in the end you managed to finish 5th because of your regularity.

“At the outdoor World Championships, all the riders surprised me by competing at a very high level and very strongly. Sixth place was unacceptable. Before my appointment, I was hospitalized for over a week due to bacteria in my leg and was unable to train for 15 days. I scored some points.Already at the final round of the World Championship I felt better riding at a higher level.I did three 4ths.My goal for 2023 is not to fall short of the top 5. It’s about being consistent, being regular and getting podiums in as many races as possible.”

– You are one of those who are physically strong. But psychologically, how do you prepare for competition?

“I was about to go to a sports psychologist in the middle of the season. I already dealt with one a few years ago. , in the end, I took the chestnuts out of the fire myself, so I decided not to go. increase. “

– You were in Japan recently. Honda Thanks Day, a special closing ceremony that has recovered from the two-year pandemic. What did it represent for you?

“It was special. Toni and Fuji already told us what it was all about and it was unique to be part of the ceremony. and details about Honda, because this is your chance to meet the “great Honda family”.

– You already knew Marc Márquez, but you didn’t know Verstappen and ‘Czech’ Perez, Gusjar, Brabec, Quintanilla…

“You have the best ‘crème de la crème’ in all athletic disciplines. It’s a dream come true and the fact that you spend a few days together makes you feel a little more important that you are one of them. “

– When the party hangover has passed… For 2023, HRC’s team of engineers has started work in Japan. What can be done to improve the bike?

“To tell you the truth, there are no big changes and the bike is very similar to this year’s. This is the only thing I would like to improve.It works very well in all aspects and I have tested some parts.As always some work better than others.Stay with the Japanese and I The fact that we can tell them directly what they are looking for is very positive.They will be working more to make new pieces.And in the last few days of the year we will be based on references. We’ll train and see if we’ve really improved the team.”

――What do you want in 2023?

“Well, now that 2022 is over, I want to start with the level and the results and keep improving.

――Do you have a message for your fans about this schedule?

“Yes, I would like to wish all the fans and supporters of the team a happy holiday and New Year’s Eve.”