Dad’s my hero, says rider Vazquez

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Efren Vazquez, one of the two riders at the Mahindra Racing team, credits his father for his success in motorcycling.

Vazquez Senior, a passionate fan of motorcycle racing, inculcated the love of motorbikes and speed in his little boy from an early age.
By the age of four, the Spaniard was already riding a mini-motorbike, and when he turned eight he had started participating in local competitions.
The unwavering support of his family and his own precocious talent made him the three-time Minibike double champion of Bizcaia and Euskadi in 1995, 1996, and 1997. After six years of racing in Spain (2001-2006), Vazquez made his debut in FIM MotoGP in 2007.
In November 2012, he joined Mahindra Racing and will represent the team in the 2013 Moto3 championship.
In a tete-e-tete with his paper, the 26-year-old shares his interests, love for football and cycling and his superstitions. Excerpts:

Earliest sporting memory: On Christmas eve, when I was four years old, I remember waking up and finding a little motocross bike next to the Christmas tree. I remember that I practised all day with dreams of making it big in motorcycle racing.

Sports played: I was really good at football. I also practised karate and volleyball for three years. At the moment, my favourite sport apart from motorcycling is cycling.

Most memorable sporting moment: There are two such instances. In 2008, when I won the Spanish championship and the other in 2010 in Qatar, when I achieved my first podium finish at the world championship.

Worst sporting moment: All the injuries that I have endured, especially the last one when I suffered a broken collarbone this year at the Le Mans Grand Prix in France.

Sporting hero: Ruben Xaos of Spain in motorcycling.
Favourite venue: My land, the Basque country in Spain

A sport you would pay the most to see: Those related to motor and gasoline.

Person you learnt most from: My father

How will you like to be remembered? As a humble person, and a fighter

Other interests in your life: My family and friends.

What do you never leave home without? My mobile

A habit you wish to get rid of: I have a sweet tooth and a soft corner for chocolate.

Favourite actors: I really liked Winona Ryder when I was a child. I also like Mel Gibson and Bruce Willis.

Any superstition? A lot of them. I try to avoid everything associated with bad luck!

Funniest fan letter/proposal? It’s better not to explain this one in detail!

Biggest regret: Not fighting to the maximum possible extent and not being able to give 100 per cent in a race.

Where do you see yourself in five years? I hope to still be riding a motorbike.