 
Interview Giacomo Redondi
"My Year in the USA brought me a lot of
confidence!"
Few weeks after the Iberian Tour, we've decided to chat with Giacomo
REDONDI (I Husqvarna). After a year in the USA, the 2016 Junior World
Champion has signed three podiums and a first career win in E2 Class after
three rounds. We had to talk about this good start of season and his life in
the USA last year
Hello Giacomo, good to have you back with us. First of all, how much did
you want to be back in EnduroGP?
Giacomo REDONDI: "Hi! I'm really happy to be back racing EnduroGP against
the best riders! After I realize one of my biggest dream last year in the US,
I've decided to change my goal for 2019. I really wanted to come back in
EnduroGP and fight for the top spots there in GP and E2 classes.
It's been a good tour for you with two podiums and a victory. Did you
expect that?
G.R: "I've worked really hard this winter to be 100% ready for this new
season. In the first round in Germany, we were a little bit unlucky so I
didn't change anything in my preparation and continue to work hard and it
worked perfectly as I climbed on the podium in Portugal and then won my very
first day in Spain. We still need to work hard and see what's going to happen
in this E2 Class full of big talents.
What was your feeling after the last Maxxis Cross Test, knowing you
secured your first ever victory on a Senior Class?
G.R: "I wasn't really thinking about the E2 victory but I was super happy
to clinched the three Maxxis Cross Test of the day. After the Xtreme Test, I
celebrated this victory with all my team. I really hope it's the first one of
many more.
You had a great year in USA in 2018. Why did you choose to go there and
race the WORCS series?
G.R: "After my 6th place in EnduroGP in 2017, the offers that I had
wasn't really interesting in compare to my results. So I decided to realize my
dream and to go in America and race there. I really wanted to stay in
California, that's why I decided to race the WORCS series. I was super proud
to become a pro WORCS champion. I was proud of me as I have only a "home
team there with my mum and two friends and we fought for the title against a
lot of factory team. We were working to achieve this goal from Day 1!
 "It
would be amazing to win the Italian GP!
What do you think it brings to your riding style but also personally?
G.R: "It brought me a lot of confidence in my possibilities and talent. I
think I improved a lot on my riding style and now I want to work on this to
take another level. Every year, the level in EnduroGP is improving so quickly
so I have to keep this pace to stay competitive!
Despite this, you were still racing with Honda Redmoto in Europe. Why
did you choose to change and work with Franco MAYR and his JET Racing team?
G.R: "I was really satisfied with my KTM in the USA so I decided to take
a pretty similar ride for the EnduroGP. I've chosen Franco and his team
because I really believe in them and they had everything to help to reach my
goal. And we did it already with three podiums. We are working really good
together and I think it's the best choice I could take.
What is your best memories in the Enduro World Championship?
G.R: "My best memories is Finland 2012 where I took the 5th place overall
on Day 2 with the 125cc. When I was comparing with the E1 Class, I finished
2nd behind Simone ALBERGONI (I) and in front of Antoine MEO (F). This one is
my best memory ever.
10 years after your Enduro debuts in Lovere, you'll be back to the Valli
Bergamasche next month. Will it give you more pressure to be the home
favorite?
G.R: "It will be amazing to score podiums and maybe clinch the victory in
the Italian GP! This is my goal at each round so I will not get more pressure
but I'm super pumped to be doing what I love in my country, very close to
where I live, in front of my home crowd and in a spot well-known in the Enduro
history. I hope and I'm sure we'll see a lot of spectators and fan there.
You are standing 3rd in E2 Class after three GP's, what's your plan now?
G.R: "There is no plan for this year. As I told you before, this E2 Class
is really crazy! I started the season with a DNF and now I'm 3rd but we have
to continue to push as there are a lot of riders capable to win. You can win a
day and then finish 5th or 6th the day after so we have to keep working with
the team and try to do my best. We'll see race by race how it goes and see
what happens at the end of the year!
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