Manuel Hernández, the voice of experience

 In JuniorGP, News

ManuelHernandez.111146

Manuel Hernández’ long career as a World Championship rider from 1983 to 1994 makes the current principal of Team H43 a renowned figure among the top teams in the FIM CEV Repsol. Hernández, twice Spanish champion, maintains an active sporting life as an amateur, as well being the director of a big team in the FIM CEV Repsol. Here’s what he says:

• It’s been a long time since you rode in the World Championship. If you found yourself riding in the FIM CEV Repsol, what strategies would you use to succeed?

In my view, bearing in mind the way things are these days, I would surround myself with the technical and human resources that would give me a proper outlook and the best way of showing what I could do. At the level of competing, the habit of working hard, the capacity for sacrifice, suffering, faith in oneself (“no” does not exist) – these for me are for sure the keys to success.

• During the last few seasons, you have had to deal with a large team of riders of many different nationalities: Danes, Australians, Germans, Swiss and Norwegians. Are there reasons why you put your faith in such a diverse array of riders?

We have also had Japanese and Belgian riders. For me, the most important aspect of the team is the human factor and the relationship with the riders. We have a great responsibility to the youngsters: you cannot sell them dreams or make them believe in fantasies that in most cases will probably end in shattered hopes. Spanish riders generally have a good level, but they find it more difficulties to get sponsors. The riders you have referred to, those we have worked with in recent years, generally have come with a rather lower level of riding and then have had to make a big jump in terms of level and professionalism. So our work focuses on educating and training them mentally as future professional riders, through a working method that allows them to develop and get results.

• What would you highlight about the FIM CEV Repsol? Would you like to see any changes?

I’ll start with the negative – which is of course the inevitable high cost of maintaining a team and its riders at the level required by circumstances. On the positive side, the balance is favourable: the wide media coverage, good circuits and organization, a high level of professionalism, and the fact that riders can go directly to the World Championship from here. Regarding possible changes, I am convinced that strengthening communications between team principals, organizers and the FIM would be a very positive initiative precisely because we need to be more open when measures are being adopted that affect everyone.

Source: CEV Repsol

Contact Us

We're not around right now. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap.

Start typing and press Enter to search