Sylvain Guintoli looks forward to 2012
Tell us about your 2011 season. The first part of the year wasn't very lucky for you, but you ended up strong...
"Straight away I felt comfortable with the bike and the team. It worked out very well in Phillip Island because we were very quick in all practice sessions and in Superpole we never left the top three. Then I had a big crash in race one, I hurt myself a lot, broke my arm, broke my ankle and damaged my knee ligaments. After that, even though I didn't miss any races, I was far from being fit and it was a big of a struggle. Near the end of the season I got my confidence and my physical strength back, and I think in the last ten races I was always in the top seven. We got on the podium three times and in Portimão we almost won. So all in all it was a good season, despite the big crash at the start of it and the long recovery."
Are you happy to stay with the Effenbert-Liberty Racing Team?
"I think it was the right thing to do. We really had a great season. We've had ups and downs but we did it together. It'd be a shame not to carry on, I think we still have a lot of things to prove and the package we've got will allow us to fight for the podium every race. I'm excited, because now I have one year of experience on the bike and I am very confident we can achieve some good results next year."
Are you enjoying the winter break?
"It is a good thing. When you race around, especially when you have a family like me, you need to have a moment when you can take a break and relax a little bit more. It is a demanding sport, you can get hurt and you have to push to the limit every time you're on the bike. I can finally also enjoy the sponsor's drink - last season I never had the chance to drink Effenbert beer! I'm enjoying this time off with my three kids and my wife. I hope this break won't affect my riding, sometimes you need a little bit of a reminder."
What do you think about Crescent Suzuki joining World Superbike?
"I know them very well! I rode with them in 2009, in the British Superbike Championship, it was a great time so for sure they're going to be strong next year, they will fight at the front. I'm happy, we'll meet at the track and I will beat them! I always kept in touch with them because I'm based in England too, it's nice to have a good friendship and then fight on the track."
