Xavi Vierge interview: “I’m competing online against other riders with my bicycle”

The PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Moto2 rider talks about keeping fit at home and how to train with friends during quarantine…

How are you and how are you dealing with the quarantine where you are?

“I’m good, just waiting and checking everyday to see if and how the situation is improving. In Spain the quarantine started almost three weeks ago and it is due to finish on 11th April, I think. But, they may make it longer again, it depends on how things are improving.”

How are you training and keeping fit for when the season resumes?

“I’m training as much as I can here at home. Normally in the morning I wake up, have breakfast, some gym exercises and then two hours of cycling on the turbo trainer.”

You train a lot by cycling don’t you? Are you competing online against other riders?

“Before this I was already training a lot with my bicycle because weight in Moto2 is really important. For me, the best way to have power with less weight is to train in the gym, motocross and cycling. I am using the programme Zwift where you can also ride with people you know online. I’m training with [Marco] Melandri, [Marcel] Schrotter, [Dennis] Foggia and [Jaume] Masia]. It’s really nice to be able to do this.”

Apart from training, what have you been doing?

“I have started to cook a bit with my girlfriend and we’ve been experimenting with TikTok. We are trying to make things and do things to help make the day pass faster. Also I have cleaned the house, taken out all the things we don’t use and do things we don’t normally have the time for.”

We had the virtual MotoGP race at the weekend, have you been playing the MotoGP game?

“I have tried to play the MotoGP game but I am much better on a real bike!!”

Have you been keeping in contact with the team?

“We have a WhatsApp group and we speak everyday to know what the situation is with each person in the team, to know that everyone is fine and speak about the situation.”

Do you have a message for people in a similar quarantine situation?

“It’s an exceptional situation and we need to be focused on keeping to the quarantine, washing our hands every time we touch something and making the best of the situation for ourselves. Hopefully then we can try to finish this as soon as possible.”

And for the MotoGP fans?

“Also for them. Everyone was really looking forward to the start of this season but safety has to come first and so we just need to keep calm, focus on making this quarantine good and then everything will be better once we’ve rested. Then we can enjoy everything even more when we start racing again.”