"I was going to say enough … Now I'm at the World"

Yari Montella, more motivated than ever, has had a great first season in the CEV Moto2 and looks at the World Championship. And to think that he was going to stop … The interview.

Until 2018 it ran in Moto3, this year the turning point. The debut in the CEV Moto2 was definitely optimal for Yari Montella. This is witnessed by the many first rows won in qualifying, as well as the results in the race. In particular, two podiums stand out, as well as placings often in the top 5. Not bad for a driver who even thought of leaving everything up until the previous year … The rediscovered motivation and the transition to Moto2 now lead him to dream big: in the the World Cup is the target in 2021.

How did this your first season in the CEV Moto2 go?
Overall good, not only in terms of results but also in terms of speed. We managed to start three or four times in the front row and very close to the first [Edgar Pons], who will now play the World Cup. We have proven to be already at a good level, even if in the race we lacked a bit of experience, along with other factors. At the beginning of the championship I had a problem with the carpal tunnel, for which I had to work: in the middle of the race my hand fell asleep and I could no longer drive. In general, however, we are at a good point, we have a very competitive vehicle available, I found myself very well with Speed ​​Up and the Ciatti Team.

Up until last year you were racing in Moto3. How was this step?
Clearly there is a big difference in driving style. You have to be quick to change the way you drive, from braking to acceleration, to riding position. Once you have created your own style you can work on the rest. I ran in Moto3 for several years, but between my weight and many other factors I never managed to express myself at my best. With Moto2 instead I found a medium that allows me to do what I want. Right now I feel growing.

Why this change of category?
Last year, partly due to lack of results, I was about to say enough. I could not understand what the problem was and therefore how to solve it. In June last year I called my father. "Look, let's do that next year I don't run anymore. It is useless to waste time and money "I told him. I then went to Australia to run for Antonelli: there I found the right motivation, the one I still have and that has grown.

We can say that the stage at Phillip Island happened at the right time.
Let's face it, it was just a hit with c … Unfortunately Antonelli was injured, but it was fortunate for me, since they immediately considered me to replace him. I presented myself without any expectations. I immediately got on well with the Simoncelli team: in free practice I managed to be quite competitive, even though I had a problem in the race. But my fast lap was similar to the times of the first ones. There were so many factors that triggered that something in terms of motivation again. From that moment we started working in 2019 optics. There were several doors that had opened up: in the end we wanted to try the Moto2 route. For the moment it didn't go wrong.

Not at all: in this first season in the CEV Moto2 you ended up as the best Italian rookie.
This year we have been competitive, but we have eaten so many points … Starting from Race 1 in Estoril: I was in charge and I fell. In Race 2 in Barcelona I was second and I ended up back on the ground, losing more points. If there had not been these errors on my part, the result would have been even more positive. To say that these errors were there: being my first year, I could afford them.

On what aspect do you feel you have to work more? What is your strength instead?
I believe I have sinned a little in constancy. Let me explain: I managed to be fairly constant, but I could be even more so. Instead, as a positive aspect … This year I went well on the dry lap, especially in qualifying.

The best weekend and the worst of this 2019.
The worst was in Aragon. Previously we had positive tests and we were optimistic, then the situation changed radically. I was not happy with the bike, we used to have a lot of tires … In the race we found the square and I was going up. I was going around the times of the first, but the carpal tunnel problem slowed me down. I had to slow down, otherwise I wouldn't have reached the end of the race. The best weekends instead were those in Barcelona and Jerez, despite the falls in the race. In the first we also played pole position, in the second we were always fast.

Where do we meet again next year?
I will be back at the start with the Ciatti-Speed ​​Up Team. I will be part of this team for another season, I will work with the same people and I will have a bike that I know of.

What are the goals?
Point to the Moto2 World Championship in 2021. As for the results in the CEV, I don't think about winning the championship, which can depend on many factors. Rather, I want to always be competitive. We must keep ourselves constantly in the fight on Saturday for the top positions, and then be able to fight for victory in the race.

Cover photo: Manu Tormo