Josep María Rovira i Paxau, better known as “Paxau” or “Patxi”, puts an end to a professional career of more than 40 years. His contribution to the world of motorcycling, and to trial in particular, has been decisive in understanding the technical evolution of our specialty.
Born in 1952, he is considered one of the gurus for his dedication, technical ability and innovation. He was one of the people largely responsible for the evolution of the Gas Gas saga with which Jordi Tarrés won several world titles, and later at Sherco, where he has been dedicated for more than a decade.
Now Paxau hangs up the monkey and makes way for the new generations. His great personality, wisdom and contribution to this sport will remain forever in the history of trial.
Thank you, teacher.
FAREWELL LETTER FROM JOSEP ROVIRA PAXAU
To all trial friends
After more than 40 years in the world of trials, the time has come to make a difficult decision. Like everyone in our working lives, there comes a time when we have to step aside and make way for new generations, ideas and ways of doing things. They call it retirement and it’s a procedure that I’ve reached and that obliges me, or rather, gives me the opportunity to do things differently.
For more than 4 decades all the people who know me, those who have suffered, enjoyed and shared the passion for trial, know that my intention has always been to do the best for this sport and the people who live it. In all this time, I have acted as a father, brother, psychologist, confidant, advisor, partner, mechanic… Whatever the moment has required. For 40 years I have met many wonderful people and I am unable to thank them all for their understanding and complicity in all the situations I have experienced.
As you all know, my professional life has been on two fronts. The competition and my workshop, both completely related but at the same time well differentiated. Racing has been an important part of my professional journey and this has allowed me to live unforgettable experiences with the best drivers in the world. My workshop has been a meeting point for numerous fans, clients and friends in which an unparalleled trial atmosphere has been experienced like nowhere else. In our small workshop they have also done impressive things in other types of bikes, motocross, speed, enduro, but they never managed to motivate me like trial has.
My presence in the races has decreased in recent years, as well as the motivation to be in them, I suppose with an eye on the future when the time comes when you have to change the chip. The motivation that led me to put some sheets in the Sherpa or Cota, make the Ossa competitive, stylize the Merlin, create the Gas Gas Halley and finally encourage and consolidate the Sherco project, has been what has allowed me to always look for new solutions and technical challenges, of which I am proud. I think that in all these years I have been fortunate enough to show how much I liked trial and the passion that I have transmitted for it. The riders and relatives, or rather, people who have driven my bikes are amazing, some even living in my house, they have given me an unparalleled wealth, some have been great champions, others not so much and others less, but they have been for me incredible people who, and I can’t name them because I don’t want to leave any, I must thank you for the impressive trust you have given me and I hope I have lived up to your expectations. The brands and companies I have worked with and collaborators I have had know that my demand has always been the maximum, the same that I have always imposed on myself, it has allowed us to face and achieve incredible and unimaginable challenges that only the perspective of time makes you see.
My workshop in Torelló was born, has been, continues and will continue to be in Sant Jordi street open to all trial fans under the direction of David Sarrias and the commercial name of Motos Sarrias SRS. David has been one of my trusted people in the races in recent years where he has been in charge of Sherco Racing and responsible for logistics in all competitions. He will be the person who from now on will take the reins of the workshop with new freshness and new projects. The excitement of this new stage of our facilities in Torelló is a point and followed by a reference center for all trial riders who will have in David a new and important companion. During the month of December, renovations will be carried out in the facilities to be able to open in January with all services back to 100%.
I will take advantage of the Valderrobles Trial (Teruel), the last round of the Spanish Championship that will be held this weekend, to officially say goodbye to racing. For this reason, to all the trial friends who want to come to Valderrobles, I would like to share with all of you a glass of Sumarroca cava in the Sherco hospitality truck, in which I will be waiting for you at the end of the day of verifications and training.
As many of you know about my hobbies, cycling, flying, hunting, good gastronomy and of course trial, will continue to occupy my time indiscriminately. Racing is now a thing of the past and a good story to tell.
Josep Rovira i Paxau “PATXI”To all the friends of trial
