On the eve of the first race of the season that will start on Mantova’ track this weekend, we asked Honda HRC team owner Giacomo Gariboldi how he sees the 2025 motocross season.
“For the first time, your team is in a full configuration, with four riders, two in MX1 and two in MX2, an old dream of yours that has finally come true.”
GG: “Let’s say that it’s a project that, as you know, I’ve always strongly desired and that is finally coming true. Young riders are one of my passions and the new management of HRC shares my vision; today we can work with guys that we can launch towards a brilliant career. Engaging champions made by other teams is complicated, the contracts are increasingly long-term and therefore the choice was to create the next champion in-house. Last year we took Ferruccio (Zanchi ed.) and now with Lata a line-up that can give us great satisfaction is completed.”
“I imagine your goal for 2025 is to win.”
GG: “With a team like ours you start to win, being the first of the losers hurts and is not in our plans, even if sometimes you are forced to accept it. This year we start with the desire to win and I think we have what it takes to do it. In MXGP, I would say that the clear favorite on paper is Tim Gajser, because Prado has left and because the physical problem that hit Herlings, another favorite for the title, will slow down his preparation and debut. There is a third favorite I think and it will be Lucas Coenen who could be the underdog of this season, we have often seen how riders who come from the 250 can do at their debut on the 450 and he will be no exception. Then we need to see what Renaux will do with the situation that if he were to become more consistent could be dangerous but I think that neither he nor Febvre can really fight for the world championship until the end. So for the title I see Tim, Jeffrey and Lucas in the running and between them Tim is the favourite.”
“The choice of two Italian riders for MX2 is random, is it a choice made because you are an Italian team?”
GG: “The fact that they are both Italian is not a pre-established choice, we chose riders who could lead us to reach the goal of making them champions and in our opinion they were among those best equipped to do so; we believed that both had the ability to do it and it happened that they were both Italian. Ferruccio arrived last year at 17, same as Tim few years ago and Lata is arriving at the end of her 18, they are young and with great potential.”
“If you are hoping for the title for Tim, what do you expect from the two of them?”
GG: “For now I am very happy with how things are going. Being both Italian will be a great stimulus and motivation for them. Even among foreign teammates the competitiveness helps them grow but putting two Italians with very important and similar goals I am convinced will lead them to push each other. I can already see them pulling each other, looking at each other and checking each other’s times, this is important to make them grow. We have two good riders who can aim for the top 5, as declared by them at the top of HRC but in my opinion we will see them much higher in some races. I also hope for the first victory, Valerio has already finished 3rd in Maggiora and can get there, the same goes for Ferruccio.”
“We haven’t talked about Fernandez yet.”
GG: “Ruben is working more at home, in Spain, and less in Sardinia, but he is working hard and in addition to the Internazionali d’Italia he will do two races in the Spanish championship. For him it is a crucial season, he must prove his worth after a difficult year due to the injury. Now he has the chance to do it if he wants to stay at the top.”
“Your team has been participating in the Internazionali d’Italia since its foundation, I imagine it is because you consider the value of the series in view of preparation for the world championship season.”
GG: “The Internazionali d’Italia are fundamental for us, we have always participated, since the team was created, it’s been 15/20 years now that we have been at the cancellation of the first race of the year and for us doing two races in Italy, without travelling much is an excellent solution. The plateau of starters is always very competitive, you don’t have to go to France or England, doing many kilometres and becoming a waste of time travelling, the logistics are simple and don’t complicate our work.”
“Does the two-race format satisfy you?”
GG: “The two races are good, they are the perfect number to do a good run-in. I am happy that the tracks have changed, Riola is a track with a lot of sand and it is not always easy to work on it, Mantova on the other hand is great and then having a stage on hard, if it doesn’t rain, helps us. This year we did some tests in Montevarchi and the new track that has changed a lot was liked, so I consider it a good choice.”
“Good luck then and see you in Mantova for the first race of the season.”
The races will be broadcast live on Federmoto.TV at 12:30, with the voice of Marco Gualdani and his guests in the commentary booth and the news from the Pitlane by Lorenzo Resta.
