David Alonso: 'I lost many things from childhood to fight for my dreams'

The Colombian David Alonso He only has one goal marked in his head beyond the checkered flag: “to be world champion of MotoGP“. That is the goal of his sporting career, but he knows very well that to reach the top he must climb a steep mountain, overcome obstacles and, above all, have firm feet on his motorcycle.

At just 17 years old, the son of a Colombian mother and Spanish father is enjoying that long road and is enjoying the joys of victory, those that empower him to be the best in the world. His passion began when he was just a child; At the age of five he sat with his father to watch motorcycle races, at that moment he felt that his destiny was on a motorcycle.

He always preferred motorcycles more than a soccer ball. After years of family sacrifices and a long journey in lower categories in Spain, he began his professional career in Moto 3, which is on the rise like a rocket.

On April 28, 2023, three days after turning 17, he stood on the podium for the first time, it was in the Spanish Grand Prix, being the first Colombian to do so. Months later he debuted as a winner at the legendary Silverstone circuit, and since that day he has not stopped achieving victories; There are already five on the penultimate step to reach MotoGP.

2024 is being dreamed of; The preseason work bears fruit and there are now two victories in just three races of the season. Moto3 World Championship. He won Qatar Grand Prix at the Lusail circuit, the first of the year, after a heart-stopping outcome on the last lap, and has just swept the austin. He dominated the practice sessions, took pole position, being the first compatriot to do so, and climbed to the top of the podium in the Grand Prix of the Americas, He received the trophy and kissed it before dedicating it to his team Aspar Team.

David, who comes of age next April 25, dreams of Moto3 World Championship and is very close to the lead; He is second with 63 points, only two behind the Spanish Daniel Holgado, but he knows that he is made for big victories.

After his victory in the United States, David Alonso He spoke with EL TIEMPO and told those details that allow him to succeed in a high-risk sport and why he decided to proudly represent Colombia in the world of motorcycling.

Do you think you are a favorite this year to take the Moto 3 title?

I want to fight for my dream, which is to be Moto GP world champion. People may call me favorite, but what really matters is what I think… It is a very difficult path because everything must be prepared, but that is the goal, for which I work and fight for it.

What did you feel on that last lap in Qatar after overtaking your rival on the track?

It was very exciting (laughs)… We have done a great job, winning the first race is very exciting, when I saw the checkered flag being first I said: 'The objective is going to be met after the entire preseason.' The meters before the checkered flag were very special.

And how was that preseason…

We have prepared ourselves physically and mentally. It was important to rest in December, and then come back with enthusiasm; I had a good rest to prepare well in January and February.

How do you prepare for races, is there anything special to take the edge off?

I don't take it very nervously, I'm quite calm and that helps me because I don't get very nervous and I face it calmly. It's something I've learned from Colombia. Minutes before I do a good warm-up to activate myself; Instead of relaxing I have to activate myself because sometimes I come out very relaxed. Sometimes I put on some music to try to be in my bubble and create an environment of concentration before going out on the court.

What does the team tell you before going out on the track?

My team gives me peace of mind. We have known each other for many years, he knows how to motivate me, the last phrase he should say and all those messages he should give before the race that are very important.

In Spain they have praised you and say that you are one of the greatest promises. What sets you apart from other runners?

You have to be cold-blooded, be calm so as not to get carried away by those hot emotions. You have to make quick decisions, thinking on the bike and always trying to compete.

And they ask you to correct something specific…

You can always be improving. They tell me that I should try to control my emotions better and handle a bad day better; They are things that make you more complete, like improving when it rains. You have to seek to be a more complete pilot.

In less than a year he rose to fame in Spain and Colombia. How do you handle it?

That means that things are going well and are being done well (laughs). But I have to keep my feet on the ground, it is what my environment transmits to me that ensures that I always have them on the ground. I'm still the same; You must first be a person and that is the most important thing.

How did you make the decision in Spain to represent Colombia?

They took it well (laughs)… It was a decision we made with my mother. I am grateful to feel the support of both countries, from my father, Spain, and from my mother, Colombia; That's a nice thing because you support the driver and show your love for the sport.

Have you felt the support of Colombia?

I had the opportunity to go in December and January and they welcomed me with open arms.

What did you like about the country?

I was shocked by the reception of the people in Colombia, the desire they had for me to go. I felt a lot of love and support; I really liked that the people are very open, happy as a general rule, I was very comfortable there.

I loved the food and tried everything I could. What I liked the most was the ajiaco and the tray paisa; could not be missed. Also the arepas in the morning, I was very happy with the Colombian gastronomy (laughs).

What do Agustín and Marcela say after seeing their triumphs?

This started as a hobby for me to do some sport and then it became professional until we reached the point where we are. Although it is a risky sport, my parents support me at all times because it is what I like; They always have their nerves, but they always supported me. They said 'Let him get on the motorcycle and learn so that when he is 16 years old he will know that the ground is hard and that it is not a game.'

What were your feelings when you got on a motorcycle?

I was very small, I was only 5 years old (laughs)… I loved it there, I was super happy that they put me on a motorcycle; When we went to take the tests and enter school, I didn't want to get out of it.

What sacrifices have you made to be where you are?

There are many sacrifices, but they have been made with pleasure. There was a rule in my house, if I didn't complete my studies I couldn't ride the motorcycle, so I had to study and then train, so there wasn't time for many things, like going with my friends to play. Those are the sacrifices that are made as a child, those activities of going to a birthday, for example, because you are training, but it was done with pleasure. In the end I have missed many things from childhood to fight for my dreams.

And that of his parents…

Without my parents nothing would be possible; They sacrificed a lot when they gave me the opportunity to start in this world of motorcycling. They have traveled everything with me, some trips around the world and all when I was running in Spain. They always took me to train, they worked extra hard to go to the races with me afterwards, they sacrificed a lot to give me the best, to dream for my dreams.

How did you handle the topic of studies and the World Cup?

I have already finished Compulsory School, but university cannot be combined with the world of motorcycling and the World Championship; There is no time, there is no way to do it. Now I am studying languages, I am studying English, German and Italian; I want to continue training and learning.

How many years do you see yourself racing in Moto GP?

My dream is to get to Moto GP… But I wouldn't like to get to Moto GP without completing stages; I would like to win Moto 3, Moto 2 and then reach that category, I am not in a hurry to get up to Moto GP quickly, but rather to win in each category to get there.

What excites you most about motorcycling?

I am passionate about the fact that in the end we are running and you learn values ​​that later also serve life. The competition that motorcycling has in the end is a group sport, but in the last moment you are alone with the motorcycle, that is why you must make your own decisions alone and it is something that happens in life, you must decide and think for yourself .”

His idol is Marc Márquez. What does it look like to him?

I try to see the best in him, to copy the good in each one. I like the way he approaches races and the mentality he has, I pay attention to all those details.

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HAROLD YEPES

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