Mario Roman: How I won Extreme XL Lagares
By Team TMX on 16th May 19
Explaining the keys to his success, Sherco Factory Racings Mario Roman tells how he won round one of the World Enduro Super Series at Portugals Toyota Porto Extreme XL Lagares...
For Mario, victory at the opening round of the World Enduro Super Series was a perfect example of everything coming together at just the right moment.
Sitting sixth on lap one and over six minutes behind pacesetter Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM - GER), it may have looked like Roman wasnt in contention. But the Spaniard knew that lap two would be the decider.
Understanding the terrain, his bike and body, he piled on the pace and began ticking riders off his list as he worked his way up the leaderboard. In perfect flow he applied pressure to rivals as he went on the attack. Finally catching and passing Lettenbichler with less than half of a lap to go, the victory was his.
In what he considers as one of the best performances of his career, Mario explains how he never gave up waiting for this day to come and how its arrived at just the right time for the start of WESS 2019.
All smiles for winner Mario Roman
Mario Roman on...
The biggest win of his career
Ive won Hard Enduro races in the past but I feel like this is easily the biggest victory of my career to date because there are so many top riders here. I dont think anyone expected me to do it, but I was believing in myself that I could win. I feel like this country (Portugal) and this long technical race is good for my style of riding. I hope this shows that Im still a top rider and that I can be a threat for victory in other races to come.
Always keeping the faith
Despite so many problems in my career Ive never given up on myself. Through the injures Ive always been fighting. I dont believe in luck but sometimes you do need a little to have everything come together. Its not always down to the rider.
"You can have a mechanical or catch a slower rider in the wrong place and then lose energy and flow by overcoming that. I always knew I was good enough and finally after four years of trying at Extreme XL Lagares I finally did it.
Just focus on yourself
I think the key to success was not thinking about other riders and what they were doing. I only focused on myself and the effort I could give. On lap one, even though I wasnt at the front, that was the speed I could ride at. Then when things came good, my speed improved.
"If I had to panic early on because Mani had a six-minute lead then I may not have won. Instead I would have made mistakes. The best thing I could do was to keep pushing myself, keep my riding clean and not stress. With about half a lap to go I was told Mani was two minutes in front, so I pushed at 100 per cent. Once I saw his helmet I knew it was my race to win.
Mario stayed focused on his own race
Timing things right for the Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble
This win is a huge confidence boost to me and its coming at just the right time for the Erzbergrodeo. Ive been there five times, but only once finished fourth.
"Its a shorter race - more of a sprint than a four-hour battle like today, so its a different style of Hard Enduro. But Im going there off the best race Ive ever ridden, so if I feel good on the day and everything works well then hopefully good things can happen.
Aiming to win on home turf at Hixpania Hard Enduro
Im excited for the Hixpania Hard Enduro next month. I think its going to be an amazing race. Its my home race and I go there as the 2018 winner. The level wasnt as high last year as what it will be this year, but experience will count a lot. Its three days but each one is as important as the next one.
"You want to be at the front every day to ensure a good position and trouble-free ride. Thats the secret to doing well there. Ive shown myself today that I can win, so thats something I want to carry into my home race.
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