Jordi Torres had established himself as a regular front-runner in WorldSBK no sooner than it took him to become a highly popular character in the paddock. However, away from the smiles and fun-loving banter witnessed on the television screens, the Catalan rider continues to demonstrate a deadly serious determination on the race track.

Eight rounds in and with five to go, the Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils rider lies fifth in the Riders’ Championship, having been tasked this year with adapting to a new environment and completely different style of motorcycle riding. The 27-year-old explains all in this exclusive interview with WorldSBK.com.

“I’ve always said that my goal is not to win races and finish on the podium all the time,” Torres begins. “My big goal this year is to learn to ride the bike as the others do and I don’t think we’ll be satisfied until I can do it properly: ride as I believe I should be riding in this category. I came in with a different style, from Moto2, where they carry more corner speed. I keep the bike leaned over for too much time and that leads to further problems. I use up the tyres in a different way. So what I want to do is to have the same weapons as everybody else; slowly but surely, we’re getting there.

“My assessment of the first part of the season? I would say this rider is progressing well, but he still needs to improve [laughs]. We are getting there – we’re almost reaching out and touching the point we want to be on, but not quite yet. The most important thing is to be finishing races not too far away from the winner. I want to be crossing the line with them and fighting with them…not six or ten seconds behind.

“Having Max Biaggi around for the Misano and Sepang races is good for Leon (Haslam, team-mate) and I. It’s another reference point. Being a wildcard means he has some advantages – gear ratios more tailored to the circuit and fresher engines – but, then again, Max is a legend of the sport and is giving it everything! We knew Max would be quick whatever happened at Misano. What was good is that I found myself battling with him, so I was learning all the time. He’s a very delicate rider…the bike hardly ever moves around underneath him. Everything is super sweet. Perhaps riding like that means you don’t get as tired, so you feel a little more secure.

“I’ve fought on-track with several Champions: Bayliss, Guintoli and Sykes. It’s great because I’m having fun. I always try to get stuck in, with every race. If I need to fight with Guintoli, Sykes, Bayliss or even with Leon, I will always have a go. They are all really great riders. Whether the outcome is good or not so good for me, if I know I’ve fought as hard as I can with those guys, I step off the bike happy.

“Now I’m looking forward to Laguna Seca. I’ve never been there and it’s one of the really legendary circuits. I’ve played it a lot on games and have always tended to choose that track to race on! It’s always been Laguna or Phillip Island. So, I’ve never been to Laguna but I know it off by heart. Obviously, I need to go there in person to learn some reference points and racing lines, but I love the circuit and am really looking forward to getting there.

“The possibility of picking up my second podium at Laguna? If I am able to achieve that at such a legendary circuit…I would love it! Realistically, though, it will not be easy to find a good bike setup – maybe Malaysia will be easier from that point of view, as the characteristics of the circuit are more suited to the Aprilia. We do need a bit more engine-wise, though. Leon and I are pushing for more because we continue to lose out in that area.

“The idea for the future is to continue in Superbike. It is a championship I love and it has changed my life. I am much happier, I enjoy everything much more, I enjoy the people much more. My goal is not to do well and then return to MotoGP. WorldSBK is just a different championship with a different approach. Yes, it is true that if Aprilia tells me tomorrow that I have to go to MotoGP then I would go, but it’s not for me. I’m just fine where I am.

“I would be happy to end the season with the fifth place in the championship I have at the moment. It would be a privileged position. I’m amongst those who think that it doesn’t make much difference whether you end the year in sixth or seventh position. You need to win it. However, people do value a top five position much more, so we are going for it. We have Guintoli right behind us (13 points in arrears) and we need to be aware of what others are doing, like Giugliano. But to have the name ‘Torres’ fifth behind Rea, Sykes, Haslam and Davies would be very nice.”