Toni Bou: "When everything is working right, you can just focus on riding"

Toni Bou keeps making his own legend grow. The Repsol Honda HRC rider has just won his 39th world championship title after a new victory in X-Trial and now faces the start of TrialGP with his ambition intact. After a season to remember, Bou has once again shown that, in his case, winning is the result of perseverance, adaptation, and high daily standards pushed to the limit.

In this interview, Bou describes this moment in his career and the evolution of both trial and technology in competition, as well as the importance of those details that often aren't seen, but nevertheless make a difference. Because in a sport where everything is decided by feeling, precision, and control, trust in one's bike is also built on technique and reliability.

You just won your 39th world championship title. After so many years of winning, what is so special about this championship for you? What keeps you racing?

Well, I'm really happy. Every title is different and special in some way. This one is maybe even more so because of how the season began, with my shoulder issues. There were times when it was hard to imagine that we could achieve these results, so it has added value due to all the work behind it.

In the end, what keeps motivating me is that feeling of constant improvement, of trying to do better every day. And the same goes for the team, which is critical. When you have Repsol Honda HRC behind you, working at the highest level, it pushes you to not settle for anything less.

TrialGP is about to begin. How do you feel at the beginning of the outdoor season? What changes for you when you move from X-Trial to TrialGP?

I have good feelings about this season. We've had a great indoor season, but outdoors is different and we have to reset a little. Many things change: the type of areas, the duration of the races, the physical demands... Everything is different. We have to adapt quickly, but the goal is the same: to be competitive from the very first race.

If you had to define this moment of your career in one sentence, just before starting TrialGP, what would it be?

I'd say it's been one of overcoming adversity in which, after the setback with my shoulder, we've managed to return to a high level with the same ambition and drive to keep improving.

From the outside it may seem that winning is part of the routine, but I imagine that sustaining that level for so long requires reinventing oneself. What have you changed the most as a rider?

Yes, from the outside it may seem easier than it is. I think where I've changed the most is in career management. Before everything was more impulsive, now I try to be more consistent, make fewer mistakes, and think longer-term. Also, in my preparation, every year we work more on the details, both physical and technical.

Repsol has been with you since 2007, when you won your first world championship. What does it mean to build such a long relationship with a brand in such a demanding sport?

It's something very special and not easy to achieve. In the end, it is a relationship of mutual trust. We've grown together over the years, and it shows in everyday life. Having the support of a brand like Repsol gives you very important stability so you can focus on performing at your best.

When you look back, what moments do you remember as most important in this shared stage?

The first title is always very special, 2007, because it changes everything. But there are also many others: very close championships, important victories... I remember the perseverance and everything we have built together.

You have experienced the evolution of trial, motorcycles, and the technology surrounding competition. What changes have impressed you the most in all these years?

Most of all, the evolution of motorcycles and electronics. Everything now is much more accurate, more reliable. Physical preparation has also changed a lot, it's become increasingly important. And on a technical level, the details make more of a difference than before.

In trial, where everything is decided by feeling, precision, and control, what is the role of a good lubricant in the behavior of the bike? What do you need from the oil when you compete?

This is key. In trial, we need a very sensitive, precise bike, and lubricant plays a very important role there. You need it to be consistent, to maintain performance throughout the race and to protect the engine in very demanding conditions.

From your experience, how does a well-developed lubricant translate into practice? Do you notice it in protection, response, touch, temperature, confidence...?

Yes, it shows in all of that. More than anything, in the feel and the confidence that the bike gives you. When everything is working right, you can just focus on riding. Also in engine temperature and durability, which is essential in long races.

Competition is usually the most demanding test bench. How do you see that connection between what you learn on the track and what can later appear in products for any motorcyclist?

It's a direct connection. Everything we test in competition is taken to the limit, and that allows us to improve products greatly. In the end, what works in the race — which is the most demanding scenario — brings a lot of reliability and performance to the products that any user can use in their day to day.