Syahrin: “I’d be happy to stay with Tech 3”

After a tough weekend riding through the pain barrier, motogp.com caught up with ‘Pescao’ at the Jerez test

Hafizh Syahrin (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) didn’t arrive at Jerez in the best shape after crashing whilst training on his bicycle before the weekend, although the Malaysian finished the race after riding through the pain barrier. At the Jerez test on Monday, Syahrin didn’t ride – but he did have a quick catch up with motogp.com to talk through the weekend and the future.

Crash on training today 60kmh the speed!????

A post shared by Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah (@hafizh_syahrin) on

“My feeling is getting better when I’m not riding because I can recover. I wanted to try something with the bike, maybe change the setup but I can’t be on the bike today, the team said I need to recover for Le Mans.

“This weekend was a difficult one for me, I tried to give 100% but in the race it was difficult. I’d lost energy after suffering three days with pain, but I finished the race without mistakes and without a crash, very close to the points. Now I’m second rookie and I’ll try to challenge in the next race, I believe the team is the best for me and they always give me the best package. I’m just so sorry about the weekend and not being at 100%.”

For Syahrin and Tech 3 the next race is a big one – the team’s home Grand Prix at Le Mans. The Malaysian is understandably motivated to be at his best and after taking the best result for a rookie so for this year in Argentina – and remaining second in the fight for Rookie of the Year.

“For Le Mans I’ll try and stay in the points and beat the other rookies, try to give them a challenge – and do a good job in the home race for the team. For sure they have a lot of motivation for the race, and that’s like my home race in Sepang – I want to be good in Le Mans!”

The other news for Tech 3 in Jerez, however, looked even further forward. After confirming earlier in the season they would be switching to a partnership with KTM from 2019, it was then announced during the Spanish GP that one of those RC16’s would be ridden by Miguel Oliveira. His teammate is yet to be decided, but Syahrin wants to stay.

“For me, I want to be here,” he says. “For the moment we’ve not spoken about it, I’m just focusing on my job with the team because I want to give my best and show what I can do. I don’t want to put that stress in my mind! We’ll see in a few races, I’ll do my best with the team. This team is like a family and I’d be so happy to stay with Tech 3.”

Le Mans fires up on 18th May, with Tech 3 gunning for home glory.