Loris Baz joined Kawasaki’s World Superbike factory team in 2012 replacing seriously injured Joan Lascorz at Donington Park and after just five rounds the young French rider – he is just 19 – took his first podium at Brno in race 1, and in the following round scored his first WSBK victory at wet and wild Silverstone and then added at second place podium always at the British circuit.
His performance during the rest of the season, where he finished 13th in the overall WSBK standings assured him a full time place in the Spanish run team for the entire 2013 season.
In a generated Q&A interview with Fast By France, Baz talked about his 2012 season and what he hopes for in the season to come.
Q: How do you feel after such a year as you experienced in 2012? You did very well once you got the chance on a factory Superbike, yes?A: Honestly, I feel really good and so I am looking forward to next season.
As I always said, I need to feel like family with the people I work with, and I felt it straight away in Kawasaki; first in Superstock, and then later with the Superbike.
It wasn’t easy to join in the middle of the season but I took it like it was the opportunity of my life and I couldn’t ask for a better result when I look forward now.
Q: Despite your age you are quite an experienced rider and have ridden in many categories.
How much has this experience helped to bring you on faster than other riders of your age?A: I think that this is the key.
Adrien Morillas, my coach and ex-team manager, always said that I had to go on a 600cc bike as soon possible.
That’s why I was on it at 14-years-old and then as soon possible on a 1000cc bike.
So, I joined World Superbike at 19-years old but I already had six years on a four-stroke bike, four years on a 1000 and already some experience of an SBK machine in BSB last year.
This helped me a lot to understand the KRT bike, even if it’s again totally different to ride from anything before!Q: It has not been all smooth progress in your short career, but do you think that both problems and positives can combine to make you stronger overall?A: Of course.
I think if everything comes easy to you and you don’t have to fight for it, then you don’t appreciate the opportunity as much.
I know where I am and I know where I want to go, I just have to do the right things to get it.
Q: How would you describe your personality to someone you had never met before?A: Ha-ha! COOL? Ha-ha! I don’t know… it’s never easy to speak about myself.
But… If I have to answer, I think I am easy going, somebody who is honest and I always say what I think.
But maybe other people should answer this question!?Q: What about 2013, what are your targets?A: I don’t have any pressure.
I just want to try my best and I think if we try our best we will have a good season.
I want to start the season with the same target as I finished this one, taking it race-by-race and trying to score my first dry top five finish as soon possible.
Then I will try to stay at that level, and improve even further.
