Last month, our trip to Cartagena, as part of the private tests organized by Johann Zarco, allowed us to meet many French-speaking drivers. Among the latter, the members of the French team in the European Talent Cup. After David Da Costa, French driver in ETC, as well as in Red Bull Rookies Cup, we had the opportunity to speak with Gabriel Pio, the youngest of the trio.
In Cartagena, the three members of the French team entered in the European Talent Cup (ETC) came accompanied by Alexis Masbou, former Grand Prix driver converted to coaching young people for the federation. Among them, Gabriel Pio, the youngest of the eleven drivers present in Cartagena, who has just joined the structure to participate in his first season in ETC in 2025.
In our discussions, Gabriel Pio mentions in particular his already varied career in motorcycle racing, as well as his integration into the collective of the French team, which took him to the South of Spain last month.
Hello Gabriel Pio, you are the youngest of the three members of the French motorcycle team here in Cartagena, could you introduce yourself for those who don't know you?
“My name is Gabriel Pio, I'm 14 years old and I ride a motorcycle. I come from Lyon, and next year, I will play in ETC with the French team. This is a great opportunity [de rejoindre
l’équipe de France]it allows me to do a lot of driving. It doesn't do me any harm. And then, to have the chance to ride with Johann Zarco, it's great for training us. My journey was a bit complicated, it was a bit of a roller coaster. As in all sports, there are good times and not so good times. Sometimes you feel good, and the next day you're worse than the day before. It was a bit complicated, but today I'm happy to be where I am. »
At 14, you have already played in quite a few different championships…
“Yes, I started on small bikes, on ovals, when I was eight years old. It was my competitive debut. At 10 years old, I left for the Spanish championship, in Moto4. This year was my first year on the NSF, and I finished third in the French championship, so next year I will participate in the ETC. Here in Cartagena, I ride with an NSF. »
Gabriel Pio and David Da Costa in Cartagena
As a federation pilot, do you remember how you were spotted?
“When I was French oval champion, there was a gentleman who watched a little, and he allowed me to join the hopeful collective. I've been there for quite some time now. »
And how did you experience your debut with the France team?
“It went well, I discovered a new circuit, it was pretty good. Then, the internship in December went well too. Afterwards, it was on small motorbikes, and not my racing motorbike. But it's nice to be able to ride with everything. »
I guess you couldn't dream of a better opportunity than being coached by Johann Zarco?
“It’s great, Johann is still a kind and calm person. Even though he is a MotoGP rider, he is quite open-minded. He comes to give us advice. We discuss somewhat technical points with him. »
This isn't the first time for you?
“No, he is quite involved with the young people, and as this is my fourth season in the hope collective, I met him two years ago. He came to a course with the small motorcycles to give us advice. It's gratifying to feel that a MotoGP rider supports us. »
