Contesting selected rounds during 2018 on a semi-privateer setup, the former FIM Trials Junior World Champion claimed some notable top-10 results. Now with full support from TTR Officine Rigamonti Team, the 25-year-old is aiming high.
Pol, welcome to WESS for 2019 – are you looking forward to the season ahead?
Pol Tarres: “Yes, definitely. I rode a few races last year and was really impressed, so it’s exciting to sign up for the full series. I’ve been training hard and I really want to show what I can do this year. I feel like I can get some top-five results.”
You’re now signed with TTR Officine Rigamonti Team for 2019, what is the feeling like in the team?
Pol Tarres: “The feeling in the team is amazing. They’re so professional about everything that it’s like I’m on an official factory team. They put a lot of attention to detail in the small things too and that gives you confidence as a rider. Before I had direct support but felt like a privateer organising everything else. Now it’s different. I’ve got a race bike and practice bike, which is perfect. I also have a full-time mechanic, which takes the stress out of preparing everything for a race. It’s been a huge difference to me as a rider. I’m more confident. I know the bike is perfect heading to the start line and that allows me as a racer to be much more competitive. I can focus on the race and the result.”
In the past you’ve claimed strong results in Extreme XL Lagares with fourth in 2017 and 10th at the Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble in 2018. As those races are rounds one and three of the 2019 series, you must be focused on a strong start to the championship?
Pol Tarres: “Definitely! Although I haven’t done many years racing Enduro I’ve got some good results in those races. I really like Extreme XL Lagares. I was fourth in 2017 and then 10th last year, so I’m hoping for a strong result at round one. If I can do that then it will give me good confidence for the Erzbergrodeo. In between we have the Trefle Lozerien AMV, which is new to me. It’s not my favoured discipline but I will try to do my best. I have done some Classic Enduro in Spain but never abroad.”
You’ve also got two home races with Hixpania Hard Enduro in June and then the BR2 Solsona Enduro in October. Will that help your championship goals?
Pol Tarres: “Yeah, it’s cool to have two races in Spain – one Hard Enduro and one Classic Enduro. We’ve also got Extreme XL Lagares too, which – although in Portugal – is only about four hours from my home. I think it’s a good advantage for Spanish riders and will grow the interest for sure. With riders like Alfredo Gomez, Josep Garcia and myself racing it will be good for Spain.”
With regular Red Bull TV coverage and numerous rounds broadcast live like Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble, is that exposure helping Enduro and in turn your profile as a rider?
Pol Tarres: “It’s amazing to see Enduro on the world stage like that with Red Bull TV – it’s making our sport more mainstream and famous like MXGP and MotoGP. I can also see it reflect in my own profile with more people following me on social media, too. It’s also cool that when my parents and family can’t come to the race they can still watch it live at home. I think that’s great and overall the extra exposure is good for sponsors.”
Finally, with a wealth of world-class riders competing in WESS, what are your targets for the 2019 season?
Pol Tarres: “I ride and train regularly with both Taddy Blazusiak and Alfredo Gomez, so they are my target to aim for. We push hard together and it allows me to see my level and where I’m at. I’m confident on the difficult sections due to my trials background, but overall they still have the edge, especially under race conditions. Their pace and experience is just something I don’t have yet, but all of the time I feel like I’m closing little-by-little. I want to get some top-five results this year but importantly I want to bridge that gap to them – that’s the ultimate goal.”
The eight-round 2019 World Enduro Super Series begins with Portugal’s Toyota Porto Extreme XL Lagares on May 10-12.
STORY: Stage Set For Eight-Round World Enduro Super Series
STORY: Pol Tarres And TTR Officine Rigamonti Set Sights On 2019 WESS
STORY: WESS Announces Eight Round 2019 Championship
LINK: World Enduro Super Series
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