The new season is approaching and the riders are finalising their preparations, the last brand changes are finalised and the regulations are being updated.
Last year we experienced sad news with the serious injury that Ion Areitio suffered in his right ankle and that forced him to finish his season in the middle of the year. Ion, who was defending the two-time Junior World Championship won in 2011, tried to make it to the World Championships, but his injury meant that he had to think more with his head than with his heart.
In this year 2012, Ion returns to the competition with his batteries charged and being one of our greatest exponents in the 20″ category along with Benito, Abel and Carles (if his continuity is confirmed).
To get a first-hand look at Ion’s impressions, Trialworld.es offers you an interview with the 2011 two-time Junior World Champion.
Text: Álvaro López
TRIALWORLD: Hi Ion, first of all thank you for your time and start by asking you about the past season. How do you rate the year 2011 where you raced as a two-time world champion?
ION AREITIO: Thank you for giving me this interview. Well, it hasn’t been an easy year, maybe we haven’t achieved the final goals but we can consider it a good year. In the middle of the season I suffered a crash at the world cup in Antwerp and let’s just say that I limit myself a lot.
I missed the final part of the season, the last World Cups and the World Cup. I suffered a 3rd degree sprain, well almost torn ligaments in my right ankle.
At first I was optimistic and thought I would make it to the World Cup, but after thinking about it and analyzing it coldly, after following the doctor’s recommendations, I decided to give the season as finished and focus on recovery
It hasn’t been easy 2 months without touching the bike, I’ve been for a month in a row at the physio and it hasn’t been easy to stop thinking about the tests that were being carried out and see how I lost places in the ranking but well, that’s sport
TW:
A year when you ran with the rainbow, is it true that saying that it “weighs” to wear it?
AI: I can assure you that wearing the rainbow is not easy at all, the truth is that, as you say, it weighs too much. It forces you, or rather puts pressure on you, to maintain a good level and give your best in every competition. To be honest, in some competitions I haven’t worn the rainbow just because of the pressure it caused me. Now I understand how difficult it is to carry one of those.
TW: You started the 2011 season with a bike change, how does the sky2 change from the sky? What does one offer that the other doesn’t?
IA:
As they say, new year’s new bike (laughs); yes, before the start of the season I changed my bike from the sky to the sky 2.
The truth is that I’m not a guy who has a hard time getting used to new bikes and different postures. I did notice a slight increase in height over the bottom bracket, but otherwise I didn’t notice any sharp changes.
The thing is that every time I change bikes I don’t focus on putting things the way I used to, I always try to change angles and positions in order to feel better on the bike
TW:
What do you expect from this upcoming season?
IA:
Well, the first thing I focused on was getting my ankle back and then I started training.
I think that if we get to last year’s position we won’t be bad at all. The first goal, let’s put it this way, is to re-enter the top 10 of the ranking after having fallen to 20th position after the fall.
First we will take shape in the provincial championships and regain the lost confidence. We will try to reach the level I had in the last cup I raced in and if possible improve it. But as I said before, the main thing is to get back to the level and self-confidence
TW: Are you still on koxx? Do you have any “suitors” among the other brands?
AI: Yes, I’m still on Koxx. The truth is that since I started taking this seriously, koxx has always been there supporting me and I trust them a lot. I like how the bike models work and how they evolve. The truth is that we have a very good relationship and that makes everything flow correctly
Yes, I have received offers from other brands, but as I said before, better than at home anywhere and I hope to continue here for many more years.
TW:
Musti in Monty and it seems that as the brand’s No. 1 in UCI, what do you think of this change of scenery?
AI: Well, Abel has been hitting hard for a long time, and I think last year he showed that he has the ability to be among the best. Honestly, this change has been good for the world of trial, with all the commotion and expectation it has raised in the media.
I think he has decided to set himself a new challenge and start a new stage in another brand, being the benchmark of the same in UCI competitions.
TW: People think that Benito and Abel will compete for the World Cup, do you see yourself to be with them? Are you confident in your first World Cup podium?
AI: Well, as I said before, Abel is hitting very hard, but Benito is very Benito. He’s a rider who, even if he makes some mistakes, will always be there at the front and he doesn’t make it easy at all. He is a fighter who never gives up and who has a great ability to turn around the mistakes made. The truth is, I don’t know what’s going to happen, but we’ll have a fight for sure.
On the other hand, let’s say that I prefer to stay on another plane (laughs), in my opinion these two riders have a higher level than me and it will be difficult to stand up to them. We’ll try to do our best and sneak in if there’s a chance on the podium
TW: Finally, they have changed the format of the cups by introducing the superfinal. What do you think of the change?
AI: You’ve caught me a bit off guard. On Saturday my father brought it up for the first time, and we haven’t talked much about it, but from what I’ve heard it’s not going to be easy at all.
On the one hand, it is good to promote the sport and for the media to give it a little more importance (not only when running after a ball). That will help the trial become more known. But on the other hand, and referring to my situation, it’s a real. This year I have to make the quarterfinals, the semi-finals and if I qualify, the final and now a super-final if I manage to get into it. A real marathon!
TW:
Well, we say goodbye by thanking you again and wishing you all the best for 2012.
IA:
Thank you very much and happy 2012!
