Short, but interesting. Meo was third overall, top E1 rider (beating Ahola) in Friday night Super Test. ABC: Antoine, you will discover a public that you do not know well actually? Antoine MEO: In 2008 I only took part of two races in France. I never really had the opportunity to meet and know the enduro French public. I wait this Grand Prix impatiently. It is the event not to be missed. Do you believe in a miracle? I think that there is always a hope in this championship. Mika is not completely ensured to get the title and personally I will do my maximum to push back the expiry at the last day. What did you miss in the beginning of season to be as competitive as today? Husqvarna did not believe in my chances of title at the beginning, they rather aimed a place on the podium. The factory started to believe in it after the third test in Sardinia. We lost time to react and to work on the motorbike to be in contact with Mika. But I must recognize also that I made some mistakes at the beginning of year. I think that there is a little of both, that’s why we were far in the championship. What happened in Sardinia? It’s a turning point of the season because with Fabrizio Azzalin my team manager we had a frank and strong explanation. I said what I thought and he explained me why I did not have all what I asked. After a good discussion, we worked correctly together, with an important help from his father. With Fabrizio we have the same character, and sometimes it makes sparks. But that’s also why we appreciate to work together. What changed on your bike during the season? We worked very much on the frame. We missed stability at high speed and we met some problems in entry of turn. All that have been corrected, that’s why my riding is so generous now. We found the best compromise between stability and handiness. For the future, and now thanks to a finer frame, we will improve the engine to win some horses.
Well, I *think* I understood that. I also feel like I just got out of a high school language class... except I didn't know what language.
Now now, let's not be mean spirited about a poor fellow who's doing his best in a foreign language (or perhaps in his own language which then went through something like a Google translation). You guys really should try to ride more generously, otherwise one day you yourselves might run out of handiness and meet some problems in entry of turn. Seriously though, let's hear it for the man getting out there and winning WEC races on a Husky!
Meo is definitely going to be a Champion someday soon. Reports I hear is he is Crazy fast but wide open. Spit out my coffee on that one Joe..
I'm still trying to imagine what an Italian Team manager sounds like making a "frank and strong explanation"
