EWC Take Five với Pedro Romero

Sau khi đóng vai trò quan trọng trong việc giúp Đội Bolliger Thụy Sĩ giành vị trí thứ năm tại Giải vô địch thế giới FIM Endurance dành cho các đội khi chỉ còn lại Bol d’Or, Pedro Romero đã phải chịu đựng nỗi đau muộn màng khi anh bị tai nạn trong buổi tập luyện cho trận chung kết mùa giải EWC đến mức anh được tuyên bố là không đủ sức khỏe để đua. Bây giờ đã hoàn toàn bình phục, đây là những gì chàng trai 24 tuổi đến từ Bồ Đào Nha phải nói.

The most important question is how are you after your Bol d’Or crash?
“I broke two bones in each hand but I’m okay, it was a big crash but I was lucky. I exit Turn 2 but there was too much wind and when I put the bike straight the wind comes and I crash. My team boss Kevin [Bolliger] had to look for a replacement rider because I was unfit and could not continue the weekend.”

That must have been so frustrating as you had previous experience of the Bol d’Or and Circuit Paul Ricard?
“I wanted to help the team to fight for the top five in the championship, so it was really disappointing to miss the race. We had a test two weeks before and the test was really good with a good pace, the pace my team-mates showed for the first nine hours of the race until we broke the engine. I was disappointed to see the team lose one bike because of my crash, even though it was not my fault, and then for the problem in the race. It was too bad.”

While the Bol d’Or didn’t go to plan, how would you assess the 2024 EWC season when you look back?
“The team did a great job, we improved everything from last year, the bike, the teamwork during the race, my team-mates did a really good job, too. Le Mans and Spa were two good races. In Le Mans we did the sixth position and Spa was really good when we were fighting for the top four. Apart from Bol d’Or it was a really good season so I’m really happy and my boss Kevin was also happy with how I performed.”

It’s still early days but what’s the plan for 2025?
“I really hope to stay with the Bolliger team and fight for the top five in the championship. Of course we will need to have some luck because against the official teams it’s difficult. But if we can make some improvements with the bike, with the electronics, it can be really good and easier to fight with the top guys.” 

When you are not racing in the EWC what keeps you busy?
“I am an Uber driver in Portugal because it’s a job that gives me the freedom to stop when I want to go to the races or tests. I try to do other championships alongside EWC but it’s a bit difficult because I ran out of budget and it’s difficult to find the sponsors in Portugal, but I try every day of the year.”