Baz: “I'm lucky to have this team”

Frenchman talks second chances, progress and a tough 2016 as Le Mans approaches

Reale Avintia Racing rider Loris Baz sat down with motogp.com ahead of his home race – the HJC Helmets Grand Prix de France – to talk about a difficult 2016, and how he feels to be returning to the MotoGP™ grid despite the challenges of a year marred by injury:

Loris Baz: “I came from a really hard season last year. I was injured for a lot of races in big part of the season and I’ve been very unlucky. I lost the fun on the bike. It wasn’t any fun last year, every time I was riding the bike I was in pain, I wasn’t feeling really great, so I couldn’t push. When it’s like this you ask yourself: ‘What are you doing here?’ The level is very high, when you are not 100% it’s even harder but this year I’m enjoying the bike a lot. When I enjoy riding, I’m always improving and going faster and faster.”

Baz also says he feels lucky to have this chance and race again in 2017 after such a difficult season – and that not only the team, but also his relationship with his teammate, are big positives:

LB76: “I’m lucky to have this team behind me because last year I think it was easy for them to send me at home and take another rider, but they give me another chance. It’s not always easy, but I will try to do the best with the bike we have and I think we are doing pretty well. I’m happy with how things are going. It is good to continue with the same team for a few years. I really like having a really good relationship with Hector also, and that’s so important for the team. Last year when I was struggling, he was trying to help me a lot and this year it’s a little bit harder for him and I’m trying to help him when we are on the track. This makes the team stronger.”

Faster and stronger are two good words for Baz as the next race approaches – his home GP at Le Mans, where he’ll be looking to put on a show for the home fans and in front of some showings of incredible support.