Toni Finsterbusch

It can only get better: This is the positive conclusion of Germany’s rider Toni Finsterbusch after a botched Moto3 weekend in Jerez (Spain). After a crash in the qualifying the 19-year-old from Saxony had to end the race prematurely while KTM pilot Maverick Viñales earned his second victory in the third race of the season.

“It didn’t go well for me in the qualifying. I had a crash on a fast lap because there was a trail of oil on the track following an engine failure of another rider. My foot was stuck in the bike and I got hurt,” explained Finsterbusch. “I took some pain killers and started the race. But after two laps I didn’t feel my foot any more. I couldn’t change gears so I went to the box and parked the bike.”

Despite dropping out of the race Finsterbusch remains confident: “I need to forget Jerez. I’ll check with my doctor and have the foot examined. And right afterwards the intensive preparation phase for the next race in Le Mans already starts.” The 4.18 kilometers long circuit in France will host the fourth race of the season in two weeks’ time. There will be a lot of work for Finsterbusch and his Kiefer Racing Team. “I don’t know the track well and there’s hardly any data available. But we’ll give it our best shot for a good result,” promises Finsterbusch.

He worked hard but his efforts were not rewarded: At the second MotoGP race in Austin in the US state of Texas, Germany’s Toni Finsterbusch failed to finish in the points. “It was a turbulent race. It just wasn’t our day today,” explained Finsterbusch after the race. “First of all the engine didn’t kick off at the start and I had to take off from behind. Later on I lost grip on the front wheel and crashed. Even though I was able to continue, the race was then cancelled.”

After a crash by Jasper Iwema of the Netherlands the session was restarted with a sprint over five laps. But after the restart Finsterbusch dropped out already in the first lap due to a collision through no fault of his own with a competitor and the resulting damage to the brake system.

Once again, three Spanish riders claimed the podium finishes: Alex Rins claimed the podium’s top spot ahead of KTM colleagues Maverick Viñales and Luis Salom, who won the season-opener in Doha. Ahead of the first European MotoGP race in Jerez de la Fontera (Spain) on May 5, Finsterbusch remains optimistic: “We’re on the right track and have quite some plans for Jerez.”

It was a successful start into the new Moto3 season for Germany’s rider Toni Finsterbusch. At the season-opening night race on the Losail Circuit in Doha, Qatar, with 32 bikes in the field he earned a 19th-place finish. “I’m pleased with the result. It’s something to build on,” explained the 19-year old from Saxony. “The start was really good. But then I took the wrong race line and lost some positions. Our goal was to be among the Top 20. And since Qatar is not among my favorite tracks, today’s result is really okay.”

Spain’s Luis Salom took the first victory of the season ahead of compatriots and KTM colleague Maverick Viñales and Alex Rins. The MotoGP series resumes in two weeks’ time with the première in Austin in the US state of Texas on April 21. “The race track is new for all of us. I want to fight for a place in the points,” said Finsterbusch.

Moto3 rider Toni Finsterbusch of Germany is ready for the first race of the World Championship season in Qatar. “The test runs were positive. I’ve managed to adjust quickly to the new machine and now I want to hit the ground running in Moto3 with Kiefer Racing,” said the 19-year-old from Krostitz near Leipzig (Saxony) just a few days prior to the first event of the Moto3 series. The Kalex pilot hopes for a “great start into the season, finishing in the points” at the night race on Sunday (April 7, 2013 at 7 pm local time).

One day, young motorcycling talent Finsterbusch hopes to follow in the footsteps of Germany’s World Champions Stefan Bradl and Sandro Cortese: “This is my big dream. If I continue to work hard and always keep faith in me and keep having fun – well, then I believe I have it in me.” Finsterbusch receives professional support from the Kiefer Racing-Team that led Bradl to the Moto2 World Championship title in 2011. “The entire team is highly professional. I get a lot of advice and suggestions that I’m trying to put into practice,” disclosed Finsterbusch.

The 2013 Moto3 World Championship includes 17 races, among them the première in Austin in the US state of Texas (April 21) and the motorcycling “classic” in Assen (Netherlands / June 29). Finsterbusch is particularly looking forward to the race on “home soil” on July 14: “Of course the race on the Sachsenring will be the absolute highlight as the numerous German fans create an incredibly awesome atmosphere.”

Germany’s Moto3 rider is all set to hit the ground running for a successful 2013 season. Prior to the first race of the season in Qatar, the 19-year-old from Krostitz near Leipzig (Saxony) speaks about his objectives, expectations and the team of Kiefer Racing. The full interview:

The 2013 MotoGP World Championship will kick-off in just a few days. You’ve shown good performances at the last pre-season tests in Jerez, Spain. Are you happy with the entire preparation and what are your feelings, heading to Qatar?

Toni Finsterbusch: “The pre-season tests were positive. I’ve managed to adjust quickly to the Kalex and my lap times were quite good. We’ve got a decent set-up and this is why we’re going to Qatar with big expectations. I hope to improve my performance compared to last year. Additionally, I hope to finish in the points regularly. Together with Kiefer Racing I really want to hit the ground running.”

You are now part of a team that “created” a World Champion two years ago, Stefan Bradl. How do you like the collaboration with Kiefer Racing?

Finsterbusch: “The collaboration with the new team is great fun, the atmosphere is great, too. The entire team is very professional. I get a lot of suggestions and advice that I try to put into practice as good as I can. And I get along very well with my new teammate Florian Alt. I guess that the two of us will push each other hard throughout the season.”

The past year has not been easy for you. After MZ pulled out you had to find a new team. You finished twice in the points. What are your chances with the Kalex-KTM this time round?

Finsterbusch: “That’s correct. Last year was very difficult for me. Sometimes I didn’t even know if I’d start in the next race or not. But this experience toughened me and I’ve even been able to draw some positive lessons from the season. I’m coping far better with the new Kalex-KTM. This is of course also due to the fact that this bike is bigger and comes with more power. I hope to finish among the top 20 regularly and perhaps I’ll even succeed to provide an accent here and there.”

During the MotoGP season you will have to travel a lot. Which race tracks are your favorites?

Finsterbusch: “I’m particularly looking forward to Austin in the US state of Texas. This race track will be new to all of us. But of course the race on the Sachsenring in Germany will be the absolute highlight as the numerous German fans create an incredibly awesome atmosphere. However, the motorcycle race tracks in Assen and Mugello are great, too. I’ve achieved good performances there last year.”

You form a team with Florian Alt, another young German talent. How do the two of you profit from this constellation?

Finsterbusch: “Florian is three years my junior. We know each other from the IDM, the German Superbike Championship, and we get along very well. But during the race we are of course opponents and then it’s ‘every man for himself’. However, during the practice and test runs we are working together and are trying to help each other. And as Florian competed in the RedBull-Rookies Cup he knows some of the European race tracks better than me. On the other hand I’ve more experience with the tracks overseas. We analyze the data together with the entire team, we profit from each other and are trying to become even faster.”

You are currently training as a clerk. How do you manage to combine the job training with your sport?

Finsterbusch: “I’m trying to make the most of it. I’ve to attend trade school just once a week so it’s possible to catch up on the different subject matters I missed in class. Moreover, I receive a lot of support. And as long as my grades are okay, I’m exempt from lessons if they collide with race schedules. I’m training at my parent’s company and everyone is very supportive.”

After Stefan Bradl it was Sandro Cortese who became World Champion last year. Do you think you will be capable of getting up to the very top?

Finsterbusch: “Of course that’s my big dream. If I continue to work hard and always keep faith in me and keep having fun – well, then I believe I have it in me. However, even Bradl and Cortese had to go through certain stages and didn’t become World Champions at first go.”

Bradl and Cortese have shown how to do it. Are these two your role models and are you trying to mirror them?

Finsterbusch: “The motorcycling sport in Germany has greatly benefitted from their success. This is why they are – in a certain way – role models. And of course there’s always something to adopt or to mirror. Nevertheless, everyone has to go his own way.”

Have you profited from the recent success of German riders in the World Championship?

Finsterbusch: “Thanks to the Championship titles, the media interest in Germany has surely grown. I hope that I’ll be able to profit from it in the future. However, it’s still very hard to find sponsors as many companies rather like to support soccer teams.”