From Trialworld we want to offer you first-hand the impressions of the best national and international riders on the bike trial scene.
This time we present an interview with one of the young promises of the Spanish 26″, Joan Figueras. This young rider has been showing year after year a really good progression and together with Rafael Tibau they are our hopes to be able to attack the top positions of the 26th world championship. With all of you, Joan Figueras.
TRIALWORLD: First of all, thank you for your time Joan. You are one of the great Spanish riders but not all the fans know you, how would you introduce yourself to us?
Thanks to you, it is a pleasure to do this interview.
JOAN FIGUERAS: I’m Joan Figueras, I’ve been practicing trials for about ten years and I’m currently number 16 in the UCI ranking, I’ve won the Catalan championship three times and I also won the Spanish Championship in 2010.
This season has been difficult and I think I can be happy with my season that I did last year but we can still improve a lot, that’s why this year we will fight to the maximum.
TW: What do you highlight about your riding?
JF: A lot of people say that my riding is quite nice, this is something that I try to work hard to feel comfortable on the bike without any kind of lack of control.
I also try to be very complete in all the techniques and improve the ones since the level is higher every year.
TW: What is your weak point or the one you need to work on the most?
JF: Well, I think that the point that I have to work on the most is to do the maximum of competitions and train more areas to gain more confidence in competition.
TW: What idol or role model have you followed or do you follow since you started in this?
JF: I admire all the riders who are at the top and they are all very good, but the one I have followed the most since I was little and since I started in the world of trial is Ot Pi. I think he has promoted this sport a lot around the world and has done a good job, he is currently the general manager of the Monty company which is not easy at all.
TW: Moving on to competition, what has been your best moment in trial? And the worst?
JF: The best moment in trial is when you get a good result and you think that all the work and sacrifice we have made throughout the season has been worth it. I remember that when I was little I went to my first championship in Catalonia and the last round of the Spanish Cup, so I just won, but I didn’t expect it at all since it was a difficult trial and with rain.
The worst moment for me is injuries because it can bother you for a whole season but well, I think I’ve been very lucky in this aspect these last few years. (fingers crossed)
If I have to remember a serious injury, it was in Murcia in 2005 in the last round of the Spanish championship in which I fractured my right ankle.
TW: As we did with Ion Areitio, we asked you about 2011, what do you highlight?
The truth is that I think that after highlighting all my season that I did last year at a regional, national and international level, I am very satisfied because I see that I am improving in these first years in Elite.
Now I want to focus as much as possible on next season to get some important results and improve on last year’s results.
TW: What are your goals for 2012 and what competitions will you run?
JF: My goals for 2012 are to improve on last year’s rankings. I would like to be in the top 10 of the UCI ranking and get some important result, I think it won’t be easy and we will have to work hard to be there because the level is higher every day.
This year I intend to do the entire UCI calendar and all the regional competitions as they are going very well for me to adapt to competition so that in June I can be at full strength for the World Cups, European Championships, World Championships, etc.
TW: What position do you hold in the Monty team? With Kenny’s departure, do you think that both you and Rafa Tibau have better prospects within the brand?
JF: I have a very good relationship with Monty. I’m currently in a rather secondary position within the team but I’m very happy with them for what they help me because things are difficult nowadays and they do everything they can.
I think that with the new signing of Giacomo Coustellier in the Monty team they will focus more on the 26 and the bike will evolve a lot and be more competitive.
TW: How is it that a rider of your stature opted for the 26 when it is usually big riders who ride this type of bike?
JF: Well, I moved to 26 because I saw that evolution in trial could be greater, the last two years that I went in 20 it was difficult for me to evolve and I didn’t feel comfortable, but when I moved to 26 I think I took a big step and noticed a big change in my level and now I’m very happy to go in 26.
Anyway, at first I didn’t feel very comfortable and I was a little scared because I was in the style of the 20. Then it took me a while to get used to the 26 but little by little I had to learn all the techniques that are done nowadays and I think that helped me a lot and it was worth it.
TW: Thank you very much for your time, we hope to see you again soon and good luck for 2012
JF: Thank you very much.
Text: Álvaro L
Ópez
