“It is important for motorsports to have a championship in India”: Jordi Tixier | other sports news

Jordi Tixier, one of the hottest names in the world of motorsports, is competing for BB Racing in the 450cc category, preparing for the Indian Supercross Race League title, which will be held at the first two stages of the event (in Pune). Has been one of the most talented riders in India. and Ahmedabad). While athletes often feel the pressure of championships, Jordi, who won the MX2 World Championship title in 2014, is relaxed as achieving top-podium positions has never been his goal. In conversation with NDTV, Jordi opens up about his passion for motorsports, his experience in India and how pleasantly surprised he is by what the organizers have achieved with the Supercross league in the country.

“My dad was a good level racer. When I was 3, he bought me a 50cc bike, so I started racing at 3, but it wasn’t until I was 10 that I I didn’t really enjoy racing. At the age of 10 I got my first French Championship title, and from there I started learning patiently. Now, I can’t live without racing,” Jordi said of his passion for racing. Talking about said.

When asked about the track in Bengaluru, Jordi’s eyes lit up as he appreciated the work done by the organizers in India. For the Frenchman, the level of the Bengaluru track is at par with the tracks he is used to seeing in the United States. Of America and Europe. While some riders struggled in the practice laps on Saturday, Jordi was quite comfortable, having performed on similar tracks in Europe before.

“Yeah, I mean that’s the way things are, it’s the kind of track we might find in America or Europe. But that’s what I’m doing every day, I have a lot more freedom and rhythm. There are good whoop sections, And some big jumps, so I think I can do it, and so can a guy like Matt Moss (fellow rider in the event).

“A guy like Michael (teammate at BB Racing) is struggling a little bit because he rides Motocross most of the time, and this track is definitely the most technical we have. For riders like me, who ride like this every day. It’s definitely a little easier,” he insisted.

Motorsports is quite technical but there is also a mental side to the sport that has to be trained. However, for the Frenchman, the word pressure does not exist in his dictionary because he lives in the race.

“This is sport and I live to race and I live to win, so I have to say, every day when I wake up I just think about that mentality and when I go to bed I think about it.” I am, so I mean that’s always been my mentality.” Focus on winning and most of all focus on riding at your best level,” he said.

When asked why he was considered one of the top favorites to win the title, Tixier said he expected stiff competition from rival Matt Moss.

“I mean whether I’ll be champion or not, you don’t know. Moss is also really fast so to be honest it will be hard to be champion, we never know that’s part of racing. But, we never know so we Will see, but my goal is never to win the championship, my goal is just to win races and we count the points I had today, so if I win the championship it’s good, if I don’t, if I’m on the track If I get 100% then I am. I will be happy singing, so there will be no pressure on me.

“I played the World Championships and got the title which is the biggest. I only got it for three points, so I have to say there is no pressure on me for the weekend,” Tixier said.

As far as the Supercross league in India is concerned, a format that focuses more on teams and not just individuals, Jordi has high hopes because the sport needs a country like India on the world map of racing. .

“I really hope it grows because the guys have done an amazing job, I had no expectations coming here and now all the riders are impressed with the work done and I hope it grows because motorsports needs it. We need a new country, we need a new championship, and that’s extremely important to me. To have a championship in India and I could see that people were really motivated about it and I really hope that This will increase further,” he concluded.