Gino Rea is not just part of the 2022 FIM Endurance World Championship winning team but also raced for plenty of teams in the Moto2 and World SuperSport Championships as well and has achieved many more feats throughout his career. You can count on Gino having a TON of racing knowledge.
From how he felt upon returning to racing after his terrible crash at Suzuka to how he was able to adapt to the many, many championships he's raced in, Gino shares his valuable experience and insights in this exclusive interview with Motoracers. So let's get right into it!
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Gino, you've raced in the EWC to Moto 2, and all the way back in 2010, in the World SuperSport, having a diverse career across different championships. How do you adapt your riding style to different bikes and racing formats?
Adapting my riding style is something I have always done quite well and I think that's one of the reasons I did well in wet conditions. Sometimes it takes longer to adapt the riding style but I have usually been able to manage it. I think it may have come from riding so many different styles of bikes when I was younger - as a teenager I very often changed from Motocross to Supercross to Supermoto to Minimoto and to Road Bike Racing... sometimes every weekend a different type.
I also loved sports where you had to think fast, like Supercross which is very technical. In the sports I've done, you need to have a good feel of what's happening below you and that's been a strong point of mine... another reason why I was good at Supermoto and in wet conditions in road bike racing.
What was it like to return to racing after your serious injuries at the Suzuka 8 Hours in 2022?
I am still a bit speechless that I actually returned to race and especially going back to race at the Suzuka circuit where I had the accident. I don't think there was one lap where I didn't glance at the wall I hit when going past.
It was surreal just being there... My wife and I walked the circuit the day before I rode and we went to see the wall I hit in 2022 and it was a very emotional moment. After my first lap going past that area, I just had to breathe and feel a sense of accomplishment that I went past it while still on my bike.
As the 2022 EWC Champ, can you discuss the importance of teamwork in endurance racing and how you coordinate with your teammates?
Working well with your team and teammates is what it's all about in EWC. Of course, you have to ride the bike very well yourself but you have to work well with your team and team mates or you won't get a strong result in the end.
The communication and motivation for each other is very important and you need to get along well so that you can help each other... 24 hours is a long race! You need to be friendly and open with the team and team mates as sometimes you may want to modify something on the bike to tailor your style/ position so you need a good connection with them to help the situation.
Lastly, looking back at your vast and awesome career, what are some of the key lessons you've learned that have shaped you as a racer?
You have to enjoy it and make the most of every moment. Sometimes we don't enjoy the weekend or riding as much as we should and we only realise how much we miss it when we can't do it.
I have also learned that fitness and general health is the key to everything... that's why I am recovered to the extent I am; doctors told me that my fitness and health level is why I recovered quicker than most people and it makes me appreciate the hard work I put into being as fit as I can be.
Thank you, Gino, for having an interview with us, providing some valuable insights, and sharing your experiences as a racer. We wish you the very best for all your future endeavors!
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Faster. Better. Safer.
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