Albert Cabestany announced a few days ago that he was retiring as a professional Trial rider. After more than two decades dedicated to motorcycling, he takes a break to continue linked to the discipline but carrying out other tasks. We talked to him to look back on all these years being one of the best in the world.
This was Albert Cabestany’s farewell video
After 22 years as a professional Trial rider you have decided to retire, how difficult has the decision been?
Well, the truth is that it’s never an easy decision because apart from all the World Championships and nationals in which I’ve competed, this comes from long before and putting an end to it, because it’s not an end point, it’s always difficult… You break your routine, you break your lifestyle and more when you’re still fit… But now we have to change the chip.
You have admitted that you are leaving the Trial because you have not found the budget to fight with guarantees for the places that, due to your quality, you should have, did you expect such an ending?
It was clear to me that when I left it I would do it at the top and at the highest level. This year I had the possibility to continue competing in the World Championship, one or two more years, but if it wasn’t 100% I preferred to quit, I could race but I didn’t want to do it at any price.
The Spanish Trial is linked to your name as you have achieved very good results both nationally and internationally, how would you define your professional career?
Successful. I am very satisfied with what I have achieved. I remember when I was little riding my bike near my father’s shop and dreaming, one day, of being a professional rider. Winning a World Cup, being able to dedicate myself to what I’ve always wanted to do is already a success. But together with the great results I’ve achieved, I think it’s very good.
In the farewell video you made, you didn’t forget your family, what role did your parents, your wife, your daughters, etc., play?
The fundamental pillars have been my grandmother and my father who have always helped and supported me as long as they could. There came a time when they told me that I had to continue on my own, but they were always by my side in my sports career.
You have shared events with the best in the world, including you, Toni Bou, Adam Raga or Jeroni Fajardo, how do you feel about being one of the four magnificent in this sport?
Well, you’re aware of this once it’s happened. Because on a day-to-day basis you try to give the best of yourself. We commented a bit laughingly that we would reach 40 doing well, something that was a bit utopian because you saw great pilots like Lluís Gallach or Jordi Tarrés who stopped at 30… But I think that by agreeing we have all fed off each other and we have made us work harder to get here.
You have even commented that if you had not been of the same generation as Toni Bou you would have more titles, even so, you were World Champion of X Trial 2002 and accumulate 25 world championships by teams with the Spanish national team, among other achievements.
Without a doubt, the 2002 World Cup. It was an amazing moment. We had been dominated by Dougie Lampkin for many years, it seemed that no one could stop him and it was an incredible high. I also managed to reinvent myself by beating Adam Raga, who was the other unbeatable rival, and then there was Toni Bou, who has destroyed everything, but that’s okay, that’s history.
And in general terms, what do you take away from the Trial after 22 years giving it your all?
From the Trial I take everything, a whole life, experiences, travels around the world. Trial has shaped me as a person and as a rider.
You’ve been through three of the best brands. You started at Gas Gas, then Sherco and ended up with Beta, what do you take away from each one?
I take away knowing that I have worked with great professionals. They are factories that live it with a lot of passion and you take their wisdom with you. Everyone has their own way of doing things and you get the best out of each one. A lot of experiences, purely mechanical wisdom of knowing how each bike evolves and personally knowing how different people work.
Why do you think the best riders in the world in this discipline are Spanish?
Well, I think this is due to several factors. One that all brands, except Beta, are here and that makes day-to-day life easier. Also the climate in our country that allows us to train all year round. Finally, the RFME has worked very well on the quarry. He has helped the youngsters and when someone has been a champion they have been able to retain him. Something that, for example, they did not know how to do in England with Lampkin since they brought him to Spain. We had the best here from whom we learned a lot, but there they lost him.
And of those who come from behind, who do you think can follow in your footsteps, Toni’s…?
Jaime Busto is already a reality but so are Gabriel Marcelli, Aniol Gelabert, Jorge Casales… We don’t have to suffer because we have good riders coming from behind and looking good. They have desire, quality…
From now on, where will we see Albert Cabestany?
Everything is still to be decided. We have some open doors and I can’t be too concise, but I want something that motivates me. Without a doubt, one of the things will be to work at the Castellolí Parcmotor School but hey, there are more things. There will be time to think and decide what we do and how we do it.
Thank you very much for attending us and we wish you the best in this new stage of your life.
Thank you.
Interview: JC Vazquez (RFME)
ALBERT CABESTANY’S FAREWELL VIDEO
