Before the recent Red Bull Motocross of Nations, Spain’s top MX1 star Jonathan Barragan spoke exclusively to us about the event, his best and worst moments of the season, watches and… watching the girls go by.
What’s been your best moment of the season?
The last race in Italy. I was out for so long with injury, and the result in Italy was good for me after missing half of the season [Barragan came storming from 11th to fifth in MX1 moto 1 in Fermo].
Is MXoN different from the regular MX1 season in Europe?
Not really. This track is ‘American-style’, which is good for me because there are so many jumps. The track’s also really high in terms of altitude, which is 2,000m or so, so the bike has quite a bit less power, but we’ve managed to fix that and it’s working well. It’s true that altitude is the same problem for everybody, so we’re trying to get the best from the bike.
What’s especially tricky about the course at Thunder Valley?
Everything’s fine, really. The start’s very important if you want to get out there with the fastest riders. We’ve tried [starting] in first gear and second gear [in practice].
Which nation will be strongest?
America are very strong, as are France. I don’t know about us. I think the USA will win. Obviously I don’t want them to, but I think they will! Who else… Germany? [“Netherlands?” suggests one of his colleagues.] Belgium? I think France will be second on the podium and then maybe Germany third. If I have a good race and my team-mates [José Antonio Butron and Alvaro Lozano] get good results, Team España could get fifth or sixth… we’ll see.
'I said to the doctor, “I just want to be unconscious, give me morphine!"'
Have you had any really scary incidents on the bike when you’ve thought, “Uh-oh, this is the end of my career!”?
Yeah, maybe sometimes when you have the odd moment. When I injured my leg [Barragan dislocated his knee practising for the Netherlands GP at Valkenswaard in April], I damaged tendons and I was in a lot of pain. I said to the doctor, “I just want to be unconscious, give me morphine for the pain!” Then they operated, so it was all right. It was difficult at the time – not nice to remember.
Electric bikes look like the future, but do you prefer the noise of combustion engines?
I like it the way it is. I know the future is electric bikes, but I hope I’ll have stopped racing before they come in! I like as much noise as possible, and every year the noise level goes down a bit more.
How do you get rid of all the dirt after races?
I do this almost every day, so you get used to it – it’s fine.
If Red Bull Motocross of Nations: The Movie were made in Hollywood tomorrow, who would you want to play your role?
I like Antonio Banderas, the Spanish guy!
What luxury item could you not live without?
I like nice expensive watches, especially Bulgari ones. I have four of them!
Describe yourself briefly…
I’m sociable with my friends, but I find speaking other languages difficult [Oh?]. I like partying, even though I’m not really allowed. I try to be funny. I like looking at girls. [Like the Red Bull girls at MXoN?] Yeah. Maybe you can introduce me to them!
Jonathan Barragan was speaking to Birgit Holzinger
Check out more stuff from MXoN at our Red Bull Motocross of Nations event page!
Samo Vidic/Red Bull Photofiles
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