There was a new name in the GP paddock last year as Benjamin Garib inked a deal with BUD Kawasaki to race the EMX250 series. Unfortunately, his start to European life didn’t go according to plan as he picked up an injury but he did return for the last four rounds of the championship but has helped him to build for the 2024 season.
The Chilean previously raced in America and now has experience in Europe which will only help him improve as a rider.
We caught up with him at Arco di Trento to discuss his European experience. You can watch/listen/read below:
GateDrop: Benjamin, obviously last year you signed a deal to race the EMX250 series with the BUD Kawasaki racing team. First of all, did you ever imagine yourself racing in Europe and secondly, just how did the opportunity come about with the BUD team?
Garib:Â Actually, I never imagined coming over to Europe to race. For me it was always like, I was in the USA so I always imagined I was going to stay there. But now, I’m just very happy to have the opportunity to travel to many countries and to race over here. I think it’s really good for me for my technique, riding and everything. I know more people and I am just super grateful to Stephane (Dasse) and BUD Racing.
GateDrop: You are from Chile, first of all how did you find going from Chile to America and then coming from America to Europe, how have you found it all?
Garib: So, I went to leave to the US in 2020 like right before Covid so I stayed over there. It was good as we didn’t have to quarantine so I never stopped riding. But honestly, I started going to the US in like 2014 with my dad just to use it as an experience to go to one race and then come back to Chile then the next year go to the Mini Os and just just kind of like that. After we decided to stay there, and we stayed there 3 years until Stephane went to the Mini Os in 2022. He saw me riding and then he sent me an email and that’s how we made it happen. Now I’m here…
GateDrop: When you first came over to Europe what did you expect and how did you adopt, I think you live in France… How do you find France and living there?
Garib: The place we are in France is really good. There’s a lot of surfing and stuff, I don’t really surf but I like the vibes and everything. It’s really pretty different from the US to Europe like all the all the tracks, training tracks and on the races too. Because I was racing the amateur scene over there, so it’s not really the same as many long moto’s and stuff but I adapted well now. I’m now already used to it.
GateDrop:  Last year you got the injury I think it was just before the first round, how much of a blow was that but it was good that you still were able to finish the season because that helped you prepare for this year then…
Garib: So yeah, I got injured last year and it was a bummer obviously, but the best was to get surgery for the shoulder to be good. Now it’s no problem I’m confident with my shoulder now. Yeah, it was a bummer that last year I could just do just the last four rounds. Now I’m able to do the entire championship and start good. I am just happy with that and that I’m healthy. I’m feeling good.
GateDrop: Before you came over did you know anything about the EMX250 and how how do you find the level? It’s obviously quite high because the top 10 guys could do good in MX2 which maybe the outside don’t realize…
Garib: So, I didn’t really know EMX when I came here, like I just knew MX2 and MXGP. I saw the highlights on Instagram and stuff. Obviously, I know all the big names and I watched some moto’s but not really EMX so yeah, the level is high and just happy to compete with everyone over here.
GateDrop: Â Now that you’ve raced the series for a while, are you a bit more familiar with the riders and also how do you find the tracks? How different are they from what you grew up to in Chile and then in America?
Garib: With the riders, it’s like sometimes I don’t even know who I’m racing with, you know. I’m just going for it, but I know who the top guys are and stuff like that. But yeah, it’s pretty different from from the US as I said before like the tracks are more hard pack and stuff. Like in the US they prep the track really well there’s ruts and stuff, obviously it gets super rough in the US but here’s like a different kind of rough, you know. You have all types of dirt like really hard pack or sandy or in between so each weekend you need to get used to the conditions.
GateDrop: What are your goals for the championship this season, I’m sure you’d like to get on the podium?
Garib: Yeah, for sure. My goal is the podium, for sure. I haven’t been doing so well honestly… I went in Spain, and I didn’t have a good race in Spain, so I was mad about it. Yesterday at Arco I had a mechanical problem so I DNF and today was okay. I got an eighth, I crashed with two laps to go battling for fifth so it’s a bummer. I am happier with my riding and my start; I just need to figure out my start and that’s that.
GateDrop: There’s an under 21 age rule in the EMX250 class, how many more years can you ride this class?
Garib: I just turned 20 on April the 1st, so next year probably…
GateDrop: After that, do you see yourself standing in Europe and racing the GP’s?
Garib: Yeah, maybe. Whatever happens will happen, you know. now I don’t really have a plan but yeah if I stay here or go back to the US. Both are an option.
GateDrop: Â If it is down to you, where do you see yourself in the future, here or America?
Garib: Honestly, I got more used to America like I lived over there for 3 years, so I know more people like I’m familiarized with everything. But no, both are an option and I’m open to it.
Interview: Andy McKinstry
Image: Mediacross
