[Interview] Jérôme Galland

Les questions ne sont pas execpptionnelles mais l'homme, qui travaille actuellement chez Marc VDS, est tellement sympathique qu'il mérite quand même d'être plus connu.

---

Meet the team: Jerome Galland
Published: 3 Feb 2013

The Marc VDS Racing Team's three riders are well known to race fans worldwide, but not so well known are the people working behind the scenes to get Scott Redding, Mika Kallio and Livio Loi out on track every weekend.

This season we’ll be introducing some of these people…

Name: Jerome Galland
Nationality: French
Age: 45
Role: Mechanic (Scott Redding)

Have you always worked in racing?
I started working in racing when I was 25 and before that I was a mechanic in a bike shop.

Have you ever raced yourself?
Yes, I raced a bit when I was younger, mainly French Championship.

Were you any good at racing?
It depends how you define good. I was top 15 mostly, so I wasn’t too bad.

How would you describe your job and what are your main responsibilities?
Basically, together with one other mechanic, I am responsible for all the work done on Scott’s bike. Before each session we make sure everything on the bike is prepared and that the bike is set-up as dictated by the chief mechanic. During the session we turn the bike around every time Scott comes into the pit, making any set-up changes required by the chief mechanic after he’s listened to Scott’s feedback on the bike. When Scott’s on track I also manage the pit board and, between races, I drive the race transporter.

What is the best part of your job?
The best part is when the bike works exactly as it should and we end up on the podium. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of having your rider stood up there on the podium spraying champagne around.

What is the worst part of your job?
When you work in racing you spend a lot of time away from your family and I don’t like that so much. Long journeys driving the truck between races can also get a bit boring.

What has been your most memorable race with the Marc VDS Racing Team and why?
I think the race at Phillip Island in 2010 is still my most memorable. Scott had already been on the podium that season, but in Australia he was up there and fighting for the race win, only losing out right at the very end. It was a great race, not just for us, but also for the spectators.

What, in your opinion, is the most important attribute a rider must have if they are to be World Champion?
If a rider is going to fight for a World Championship then they need mental strength. Without this mental strength even the most talented riders can buckle under the pressure of fighting for a championship.

Who, in your opinion, is the greatest rider of all time?
I’m guessing this won’t be a popular choice, but I’d have to say Casey Stoner. What he could do on a MotoGP bike was incredible; he seemed to be a level above everyone else at times.

If you could swap places with someone in the team for one day, who would it be?
Obviously I’d want to swap with Scott. Although I’m not so sure I’d be that confident riding a bike that he’d built if he had to do my job in return!

Quick Fire questions

The last movie you watched and was it any good?
It’s an old one, but the last movie I watched was The Basketball Diaries with Leonardo DiCaprio. It was pretty good.

All time favourite singer or band?
Can I have a DJ? If so, Carl Cox.

The last CD you bought, or track you downloaded?
Vamos A La Playa by Loona, but it was for my daughter not me, honestly!

What subjects were you good at in school?
Technical drawing

How many languages can you speak?
I speak French and English.

Your friends go parachuting; do you go with them?
Yes, I think so.

Tea or Coffee?
Tea.

A good book, or fire up the Playstation?
Playstation.

Favourite food?
Anything French. French food is the best, everyone knows that!

James Bond or Jason Bourne?
Jason Bourne

Red or white?
Red.

http://motor-racing.tv/marcvds/bike/news/detail/meet-the-team-jerome-galland