WSBK – Interview Lucas Mahias: doing what it takes to be a World Supersport champion – Used YAMAHA

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Interview Lucas Mahias: doing what it takes to be World Supersport champion

WSBK - Interview Lucas Mahias: doing what it takes to be a World Supersport champion - Used YAMAHA

The Supersport world championship starts again this weekend and Site takes the opportunity to take stock with the leader of the WSSP: Lucas Mahias talks to us about his season on the official R6, his strategy to come – on the attack! – but also WorldSBK, MotoGP with Zarco and Rossi, its ancillary activities (courses, baptisms), etc.. Interview.

Since the event in (Italy), the World Supersport 2017 has been on hold … After a two-month hiatus, the championship starts again this weekend at the Lausitzring (Germany). With his victory in and his four second places, Lucas Mahias leads the provisional classification with 105 points.

Injured in training this winter, Kenan Sofuoglu missed the first two rounds of the season. He then fell during the third, but continued on four straight victories by going up to 5 points of our dear n ° 144 Yamaha … The five-time world champion and his Ninja can they be countered by our "Blue" and his factory R6 ?

WSBK - Interview Lucas Mahias: doing what it takes to be a World Supersport champion - Used YAMAHA

Site interviewed the main interested party. And as Lucas is an extremely nice guy, he was kind enough to answer twenty more questions about Supersport, his activities outside of competition, Superbike, MotoGP, etc. Good reading !

Site: Hi Lucas, How are you ?
Lucas Mahias: Look, it’s okay. It’s the end of the holidays, so we’re ready to go. No problem to report: ready to roll !

MNC: Just before the opening of the season, that your goal (and that of Yamaha) was not to plaster everything from the start. You had received the new R6 late and limited the number of tests … Then finally at Phillip Island, you are one thousandth of a second away from victory! So tell us, this reserved attitude was out of sincere humility, lack of confidence … or a big shot of poisoning ?
L. M.: No, not at all, we had our goals and we didn’t think we would be so good. Our goal was to avoid pressure, not to say to ourselves "we must win, we must win, we must win". We left cautiously … Well, once you’re on the bike and it’s going well, automatically you don’t think too much about it. But in Australia I still started from sixth place on the grid, I had crushed a motorbike on Friday because of a tire that had burst, so we can’t say that it was the best start! On Sunday, however, I felt good, the race was shortened and I didn’t take any risks … Phillip Island is a circuit that I like. I know he wears the tires a lot and that’s to my advantage because I manage to save my tires well. So no, it wasn’t a hit, we were really honest.

"I ride motorcycles to please myself"

MNC: Conversely, you almost let slip a second place by doing a wheelie in the face of Jules Cluzel. You got bullied ?
L. M.: (Smile) No, no, no, because I’m doing two! I would have done three, surely … But the people at Yamaha took me for what I am: I ride a motorcycle to please myself and at that moment, I wanted to let go. It’s part of the race facts, that’s how it is !

WSBK - Interview Lucas Mahias: doing what it takes to be a World Supersport champion - Used YAMAHA

MNC: You fell during the last race while losing the front on braking. It was because of your very tense trajectory … or a very tight trap set by Kenan ?
L. M.: Ah, it was a trap and I fell in … I knew it, but when you’re on the bike it’s a bit complicated to manage. He hit me the same way, I didn’t fall and stayed the course, but I almost pulled straight into a chicane. I have to learn to ride with it, to understand how it works, that’s all. In Misano I got a little tricked, but I had time to think about it for a month and a half and now I have to work on it.

"I do not intend to make my whole career in Supersport"

MNC: Yamaha didn’t hold it against you ?
L. M.: No. Either way, our goal was to attack. At this level, the driver does not make the decisions alone: ​​we met upstream and we decided not to be content with a new second place, to show that we were there. I agree that from an accounting point of view, the operation is not good. But in our opinion, it was almost better to take a lap in the lead and prove that we could attack. It also allows us to increase our confidence capital.

MNC: in WSBK 2018. Do you also want to keep your factory R6 in SSP next year? ?
L. M.: Yes, that’s my goal. The bike is doing well, the team is working well, I get on well with them and we are doing good results. There is no reason to stop.

MNC: The official Yamaha team being complete in Superbike, would you like a satellite team to be set up, a bit like Tech3 in MotoGP? It would allow Supersport riders to get into Superbikes earlier, no ?
L. M.: Yeah, I don’t really believe it … And then go directly to the official SBK team when you have had one or two good season (s) in SSP seems logical to me: no need to go through a team B I know that is what I would like to do on a personal basis, I do not hide it. Unlike Kenan, I don’t intend to make my entire career in Supersport…

"You have to be careful when attacking Rossi"

MNC: We were talking about Tech3 … You watch the Grand Prix ?
L. M.: Yes of course, like everyone else I think. MotoGP riders watch the Superbike and vice versa. We all like it !

WSBK - Interview Lucas Mahias: doing what it takes to be a World Supersport champion - Used YAMAHA

MNC: Zarco struggling with Rossi, who beats the two official M1s … It inspires you ?
L. M.: Yes, it’s great what he does. We knew it, I repeated it all winter when we talked about it: I was sure that Zarco on the MotoGP would give something good, because of his style on the Moto2, very cast and tender with the tires. Now, I think you have to be careful when you attack Valentino Rossi: he’s the one who makes the rain and the good weather in MotoGP (laughs). Johann has turned his back on the boss a bit, he has to be careful about his overtaking because each time, it’s Rossi who drinks! It would be better to make friend-friend with him…

MNC: Let’s say that in terms of image, it’s good to beat Rossi. But maybe we shouldn’t just focus on him ?
L. M.: This weekend again, the overtaking was a bit limiting. He was not bossy, more hesitant … The two were stuck on the inside of the turn, at the chord point, and Johann pulled him out a bit under acceleration. You have to be careful though. Rossi didn’t mention it but I think Zarco made him miss the race a bit at the time. But beyond that, we have to admit that Johann is very strong: he doesn‘t crack under pressure when everyone is talking about him, when expectations are high. He manages it well, it’s great !

"Laguna Seca, I watched the first ten minutes"

MNC: You watch WorldSBK too, of course … The category is currently looking to renew itself, or at least to evolve. What do you think she should be aiming for: the Superstock 1000, or something else? Because the WSBK must regain the public interest.
L. M.: What scares me, if they choose to tend towards "Stock", is that the STK1000 category is also disappearing. The problem is that there are a lot of Superstock drivers, they are 35 this year. Where would they go? There is not much room in Superbike already … And we are not going to suddenly put 70 bikes on the grid. It might be a bit difficult! The two categories should be kept. In my opinion, we should be inspired by MotoGP by integrating it. Even if in the end nothing will change, in the sense that the official motorcycles will stay ahead! The real problem today is that there are only two bikes that win. As a result, people no longer watch the races. Me first: Laguna Seca, I watched the first ten minutes and changed channels because I was drunk. In Supersport, Moto2, Moto3, the machines are closer and there is a fight. In MotoGP too! A few years ago, the Superbike was more interesting than the MotoGP. But the steam is reversed.

WSBK - Interview Lucas Mahias: doing what it takes to be a World Supersport champion - Used YAMAHA

MNC: Supersport struggles even more. This segment of is dying and apart from Yam, the builders are no longer investing. How do you see his future ?
L. M.: I don’t know what it will look like in the future … The manufacturers are stopping, so it looks complicated. In Moto2, they stop the 600 (Honda) and mount Triumphs (765). In Superbike there is the Supersport 300 category, but in the end it’s a bit bad. Finally, let’s say that for me, that does not properly prepare the pilots for the Superbike. There is a risk of missing a category in between. Ditto for a switch from the 300 to Moto2. At a pinch, from the Supersport 300 to the Moto3 … But the kids who shine in 300 are hardly old enough to be in Moto3: they are the same generation of riders. And then the races really start on the last lap, with a lot of vacuuming as the bikes are not very powerful … In the end, the whole Superbike is in a delicate situation. The Grand Prix have taken the ascendancy so much: they already had the money, now they have the show…

"The whole Superbike is in a tight spot"

MNC: Drivers like our Swiss neighbor cannot finish their season due to lack of budget. Did you know that … It makes you want to start playing football ?
L. M.: Yes it’s sure ! I’ve known that my whole career (laughs), with teams that disappear … The only difference is that I never put any money. I don’t know the ins and outs for Mulhauser. But from a global perspective, I think it’s always been like this. Except that before, we were not kept informed due to lack of media, internet, social networks, etc. There haven’t been any big changes from a financial point of view, rather in terms of info and relay. But it’s like everywhere, even outside of sport: whistleblowers drop files on this, that. Coming back to the bike, I think what matters a lot is the riders who come with money. This is what hurts. And today, we even see mechanics ready to put money in to do their job !

MNC: It’s the world upside down !
L. M.: But it’s the truth, I’ve already heard that guys agree to work for free to join MotoGP teams. It’s sad, but that’s how it is…

WSBK - Interview Lucas Mahias: doing what it takes to be a World Supersport champion - Used YAMAHA

MNC: Let’s talk about more cheerful things. The summer break was still very long, especially for Supersport. Did you spend more time training or resting ?
L. M.: Ah no, I trained a lot: cycling, motorcycling … It wasn’t really a vacation! I will rest this winter (smile).

MNC: When you say motorcycle…
L. M.: I do a bit of everything, motocross, supermoto, the 125 on the kart track, a little speed with an R1 … That’s what I do all year round basically. I don’t change the way I work. Except that this summer, there were no shopping cuts. I worked every day.

"Training young people for the race is interesting"

MNC: Site also met you on the where you supervised the kids. Trainer, it’s an activity you like ?
L. M.: Yeah, but more for the race, for young people. At the beginning of my career I supervised courses open to all bikers. But I realize that the faster I drive, the less I can do it. I would like people to be responsive right away, to drive … not like me, but to move a little fast! Training young people to race is interesting because there is already speed, the basics, the knowledge. With these kids, you just have to tell them something and they’ll apply it and make it work. And then at Blu Cru Camp it was funny because there were cross-country pilots and others of speed but all a little wanking, to be carried around. It’s funny.

MNC: We know that you also organize baptisms with your accomplice Gregg Black.
L. M.: Yes, we started a motorcycle track baptism company with Gregg, two years ago now, .

WSBK - Interview Lucas Mahias: doing what it takes to be a World Supersport champion - Used YAMAHA

MNC: It works well, you are happy ?
L. M.: Frankly it’s great, we do not regret. It’s a great communication tool for us, not to mention the money, which is out of the ordinary and sets us apart from other drivers. It allows people to discover what we do on a daily basis, what running is like. On our side, we keep in touch with them, because we are sometimes put on a pedestal and we can quickly take the melon, believe that we are world champion before the hour. There you do the job: you arrive the day before, you spend four hours setting up your boxes, sometimes struggling. And you give the best possible reception to people who earn 1000 balls a month and are looking to have a little fun. They leave very happy when they leave, it’s good for everyone. It’s a lot of work, but it’s all positive.

"You welcome people who earn 1000 balls per month"

MNC: But, we were wondering … You take pleasure in scaring the passengers ?
L. M.: No, the goal is not to scare. When you get off a motorcycle, everyone has to be happy. It happened two or three times that our eyes meet with Gregg in these moments, when we are in the middle of about fifty people in the box with the attendants waiting and taking pictures. There we say to ourselves that we have succeeded in our project. People surround us, we bring them together and they have a real good time. It’s really great !

MNC: To conclude, let’s talk a bit about Supersport and what to expect in the coming weeks. Kenan has won the last four races in a row with his Kawasaki. There is something to be a little green (hohoho). How do you plan to manage the end of the season: by scoring your rivals in the breeches or by considering on the contrary that the best defense is attack ?
L. M.: Must go, must attack! I have not changed: it is not in my temperament to manage a second place in the championship and be satisfied with it. I don’t want to spend the winter saying I’m runner-up, or third … I don’t care about these places, finishing two or five won’t change anything. Yes, the bonus, but today I don’t ride motorcycles for the money. My goal is always to be world champion and do what it takes to: attack! This weekend at the Lausitzring, I will arrive 5 points ahead. We can consider that the championship starts again from zero.

WSBK - Interview Lucas Mahias: doing what it takes to be a World Supersport champion - Used YAMAHA

MNC: A second season begins ?
L. M.: Yes, because it’s the same, if I had won without falling, without attacking, I would have heard people say: "Mahias won because Sofuoglu missed the first two races" … Now we are almost tied, with two white results for me and three for him.

"Don’t think Kenan is going to win every race!"

MNC: This fall "falls" almost well ?!
L. M.: That’s what the boss of my team told me two days later! He had paused to think it over and his conclusion was: "You’re going to take me for a bit of a fool, but I’m almost happy because at least we can’t be blamed for having had an advantage or whatever." But we must continue to work, it is far from being won. Kenan has been in the same category for 15 years (with unsuccessful attempts in WSBK and Moto2, Editor’s note) and he has driven the ZX-6R for five seasons on the same circuits. It is certain that it is easier for him: they arrive on Thursday, open the notepad and adjust the motorcycle. It is up to him to work afterwards. From our side, it’s brand new every time. So we do not give up, we attack … And we must not believe that Kenan will win all the races at the end of the season !

MNC: You did two days of testing at the Lausitzring. The R6 is ready ?
L. M.: (Sighs …) We didn’t get what we would have liked. Already in terms of weather, it was not top, top, top. And we were expecting a lot of engine upgrades that didn’t happen so, yes, we worked on small details, on suspension settings, but I was honestly a little disappointed with the tests because I was expecting more. ‘developments. We worked more to prepare for the race on this circuit than for the future.

MNC: You haven’t really developed the bike but you have brought work forward for this weekend, that’s already it … As usual, Site will follow your race closely. We wish you the best !
L. M.: OK. Thank you ! AT+

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