Guillem Farres has had a whirlwind few years, making the bold move to America, experiencing the highs and lows of Supercross, and now returning to the MXGP paddock with Triumph to contest the MX2 World Championship. The talented Spaniard had to overcome injuries and setbacks, but he’s come back stronger, eager to prove himself on the world stage. We caught up with him to talk about his time in the U.S., signing with Triumph, and his goals for the season ahead.
GateDrop: Before we touch on the GP stuff, you’ve obviously spent the last few years in America. Just how did you find that whole experience and racing Supercross? Something you had literally no experience in. Obviously, you sadly only got to do a few races because of injury, but the few races you’ve done, you were easy top ten. You must have been happy with that?
Farres: Yeah, my actual goal was just to learn Supercross and get the first season under the belt. But yeah, things didn’t work as planned. We had a little problem with training. It was out of my hands, I ended up crashing bad and breaking my femur. But yeah, I was happy, it was a new experience for me. I met a lot of amazing people over there and made a lot of good friends like Justin Cooper and a lot of people. So, overall, you always have to look at the positive.
GateDrop: On your first year over there, obviously it was Star Yamaha. They’re renowned for being maybe the best team in that paddock. What was it like riding with them? And obviously, the way you got the ride, you initially were just a fill-in. To end up getting a full-time ride, it must have been like a dream?
Farres: I mean, at the beginning, it’s something you don’t even think of. For me, being a privateer, from getting my bike to going to a factory in one of the biggest in America, it was a big difference in everything. So, I think things happened so quick that you don’t even realize where I was at, at that moment. But yeah, I got some good results. I think in Budds Creek, I was the first Yamaha from the team in my first race. So, I earned the contract and my first full season was going good. I got a top five at the second round and at the third round, I got taken out in the start and destroyed my arm.
GateDrop: I think you lived with Justin Cooper and his girlfriend at the time, now his wife. What was it like living with them? Was he able to take you underneath his wing and help you?
Farres: It was definitely super cool to live with him, you know? Because I was completely alone there. My family never came to the US, which is, you know, it’s really hard. So yeah, Justin was like my family. They adopted me and I was like their kid. They took care of me every day. So, I’m really grateful for them. I don’t even think I could have done it without them.
GateDrop: Then Supercross, how did you find Supercross? Because you had no experience. I’m sure it takes a lot of laps, especially whoops. Did you ever feel like a duck out of water? Or did you feel you picked it up relatively quick?
Farres: I mean, it depends on the day, you know. There’s a lot of different whoops, a lot of different tracks, roughness. But yeah, I was enjoying it, actually. My goal and the team goals, as I said before, were just to get the season under the belt, stay healthy. And yeah, I started getting used to it. I was having fun, I was enjoying. But yeah, unfortunately, stuff happened and it ended up too quick.
GateDrop: You’re back in the GP’s now. Did you want to stay in America? Did you have options to stay in America? Or did you just feel like with all the injuries in Supercross, it was important to come back and focus on motocross?
Farres: After my injury, I was not so happy with all the situation that happened. I had a few offers in America, but my main goal was to come back here. As soon as I connected with Triumph, I knew I had to come back. I felt like I wanted to come back, to be back with my family and regroup a little bit. So yeah, I’m happy I took that decision and we’re back in the GP’s now.
GateDrop: Triumph was a brand new bike last year. Just how did you feel when you first got on the bike? Everyone says how good it is. Were you pleasantly surprised?
Farres: Yeah, I mean, the bike is really good, but also the group of people I have around is amazing. So yeah, from the first time I talked to the team, I knew I wanted to be here. I knew that if I went to the GP’s and be at this high level, I wanted to be with Triumph. So yeah, I was really happy that we could make it happen with Triumph.
GateDrop: How did it feel, you know, that first time on the bike? Did it feel like a totally different bike? Because obviously it’s a new brand.
Farres: I mean, it’s hard to say because I’ve had three different surgeries and a long time off for rehab. I came back from America with different tracks and stuff, and start here. But yeah, I felt pretty good on the bike. I loved the frame and the traction on the bike. I was also quite impressed with the engine.
GateDrop: How did the winter go, working with Clément Desalle and the team? I think you’ve done a lot of motos in Spain with Camden as well. A good off-season?
Farres: Yeah, really a good off-season. Malaga is not my hometown, but it’s Spain and we have nice food, nice culture so it’s really nice. I think Clément is a really good fit for our program because he kind of pushes us and he takes us out of our comfort zone. I think also Clément is making us grow not only on the track, also as a person. So yeah, I think it’s a really good fit.
GateDrop: Clément, obviously he can still ride a bike really fast. I think he rides with you quite a lot. What’s his speed like now these days? You can just about keep up with him? (laughs)
Farres: Yeah, he’s fast, man. He’ll get in front of us and he’ll make us pass him. And sometimes it’s tough. We just get roosted for a full 30 minutes.
GateDrop: What’s it like having Camden as a teammate as well? Obviously when you left Europe, you were both racing in the ADAC German Championship and had some nice battles. And now you’re reunited with him as a teammate…
Farres: I mean, I’m pretty easy going. I always had a nice relation with Camden and we get along together. We work together and it makes it easier to enjoy it like going cycling and you have Camden, Clément is also there pretty much all the time. It’s easy, we’re both easy going so we’re just enjoying it.
GateDrop: This year, obviously the first round was in Argentina. I don’t think you’d ever raced a flyaway GP. Was that the first one for you and what was that experience like? I guess you should probably be pretty happy with your first round because you haven’t raced that much motocross for a few years and you were a solid top ten.
Farres: I mean the first moto, I kind of got a little lucky because my pace was pretty off. The second moto, you know, I started in the back and I stayed in the back. So yeah, not really happy with Argentina, not really happy with Spain. But, you know, it’s been a couple of races in my first overseas and Spain was a crazy mudder so I’m hoping to keep going and keep building. That’s my main goal.
GateDrop: The conditions in Spain. Mamma mia, you probably were thinking, what have I got myself into coming back to Europe? Just what was it like racing those conditions? It just looked like survival but actually the speed was good. I mean, if you stayed on the bike, a top five was definitely on offer…
Farres: Yeah, I mean, I rode third for a long time in the second moto. The first moto, I just got in a crash with some other rider and I was way back. But yeah, it was brutal. I mean, I didn’t go out for free practice or warm up. So yeah, we were just surviving, and it’s been a while since I raced those conditions.
GateDrop: What are your goals this year? Is there anything you’d like to achieve? Or actually are you just hoping to get to every race and improve as the season goes on? Because the last few years have been tough with injury.
Farres: Not really my goal. Just to be here every weekend and keep improving. To be able to show the work we’re bringing with the Triumph team and what we’re doing during the week. I think then the results will start to come.
GateDrop: Just on your contract, next year I think will be your last year in MX2. Did you sign a two-year deal with Triumph or just a one-year deal or is there an option there?
Farres: I did sign a two-year deal.
GateDrop: That must feel good actually because this year you can learn, and you are not under as much pressure to perform…
Farres: It’s really good also. When you’re coming back from such a big injury it’s nice to see some people trusting you still. So, it felt amazing.
