Anthony West of QMMF Racing Team during the first Moto2 Free Practice of the Grand Prix of Qatar at Losail International Circuit yesterday.
DOHA: Riding high on confidence following two impressive podium finishes last season, QMMF Racing Team rider Anthony West is eyeing a top-10 finish every Moto2 race this year.
West, the architect of QMMF Racing Team’s top show at Sepang and Phillip Island in October last year, yesterday said: “Last year we were trying to get good results. I just need to be consistent in the front and my goal is to arrive in top-10 every race. I need to fight more for podiums.”
The 31-year-old former MotoGP rider said: “I feel I need to step it up from last year. I feel I have a lot more confidence. Mentally and physically I feel so much better. I feel I am stronger than I was last year. I just need to get better as weeks go on. I should be fighting in the front. It will be good for me, the team and QMMF.”
West, known as ‘The Rain Man’ because of his ability to ride well in extreme wet conditions, said the confidence to better last year’s performance was the result of having a ‘reliable team of mechanics’ in the QMMF camp.
“I feel more relaxed. There’s no stress. Now I can just concentrate on riding the bike,” West said.
“I have the same team, the same mechanics, the same bunch of guys handling the side. That makes a big difference. This is something I haven’t had in the past. I feel comfortable like this. I trust the guys (in the team). It makes a difference because you can just focus on riding and not worry about small things like that. I just do my job,” he added.
Excerpts from a chat with West, the former ‘dirt track’ rider, at Losail International Circuit yesterday.
Question: How do you look back at the last season?
Answer: Looking back I would say it was a great season. It was good to finish like that. It has given me a lot of confidence going into this year. The podiums kept me motivated for winter training. I just worked harder. We have already started better than how we did last year. It’s not like last year when we just jumped on the bike and started racing. The whole season worked out great towards the end (in 2012). The bike was working good. I am happy to continue with the same bike, same team.
Question: Last season you had said you would do better as the season wore on.
Answer: It was good to finish strong in both conditions. We were getting to the front and I felt more comfortable competing against the other riders. All through the (pre-season) tests, I felt strong and tough without doing anything silly on the bike. We tested many different set-ups on the bike. I feel superb. I think we should be competitive (in 2013). It is good to start the season with this feeling. Hopefully, we will be strong as the season goes on.
Question: How different do you feel now compared to the start of the season in 2012?
Answer: I feel more relaxed. There’s no stress. Now I can just concentrate on riding the bike. I have the same team, the same mechanics, the same bunch of guys handling the side. That makes a big difference. This is something I haven’t had in the past. I feel comfortable like this. I trust the guys (in the team). It makes a difference because you can just focus on riding and not worry about small things like that. I just do my job. I really feel that this year is going to be a good year. We’ve done good work during pre-season testing. Mentally I am not stressed where I am going to ride. It have been great to be with QMMF. They looked after me in the winter and brought me here to do some riding. So instead of sitting at home and doing nothing, I have done lots of rounds of this track. I never really like this track because it is long, fast track. But the last few times I came here, I had a lot of fun. I found some new lines which I think is going to help the Moto2 bikes. So I am looking forward to it.
Question: How good is your new young rider?
Answer: Well, he is a bit young, not enough experienced. He has no fear which is a good thing. He seems pretty motivated which is also good. It’s going to be really difficult for him mentally and physically (because) he’s small. He needs to bulk up a bit. I have been baby-sitting him (laughs), trying to make him eat. He just wants to eat fruit and then he’s left with no power on the bike. I’ve been trying to change the way he eats. He’s inexperienced. I think he has talent. He just needs someone to guide him in some direction otherwise it is going to be a tough season for him. But he seems to be a tough kid and he is funny. But we get along okay.
Question: It is a win-win situation for him. All he has to is just learn from you, isn’t it?
Answer: Well, I can always help him. But he’s got a good opportunity. He needs to relax and learn as much as he can. Hopefully someone can guide him. But he needs to work on small things to speed up the process. By the end of the year, he could be competitive.
Question: What are your goals in the new season?
Answer: Last year we were trying to get good results. In 2012, I was just trying to give back what QMMF gave me. I am happy to continue with QMMF. I just need to be consistent in the front and my goal is to arrive in top-10 every race. I need to fight more for podiums. I feel I like I need to step it up from last year. I feel I have a lot more confidence. Mentally and physically I feel so much better. I feel I am stronger than I was last year. I just need to get better as weeks go on. I should be fighting in the front. It will be good for me, the team and QMMF.
Question: Would it be safe to say you feel liberated now after being on the podiums twice?
Answer: Yes. QMMF helped me out. They keep me comfortable. I feel really good. That’s a big relief compared to my previous stints. Even last year, I was relaxed. It’s going to make things easier. It is never easy but this is a better way to start a season.
Question: A word about your new bike.
Answer: They will get speed. More or lessm the bike is same. We still need to fix small issues. I know what it can do and what it can’t do. I know where it is strong and where it weak. The speed is good. They set up the things that I ask them to do. Even other riders like our settings. I guess we won’t be sharing our secrets (laughs).
The Peninsula
