We caught up with Team GP Prüstel after a successful 2019 Season. Read on for some behind the scenes pit-side insights into their rider’s background, riding culture, origins of the team and having Niu pit-side for their race-day shuttles.
FLORIAN PRÜSTEL – MANAGING DIRECTOR
First of all, it’s amazing that you are a part of the Moto3 Championship and building up a great team! We would like to know more about your team and your background. Please tell us more about your history and most important milestones.
What were the main reasons you wanted to step in the Moto3 Championship?
FP: First of all, it is really big passion of our family, especially my father and me. When I was a child, I wanted to ride also a bike in a professional way, this was my dream. But when I was growing up, I realized that will be not the way of my family to do this. However I was working always for motorsport events in my free time at the Sachsenring and I went to MotoGP on Sachsenring each year with my family, so on these events it was my dream to participate also with a own team. After we made long sponsorship of RTG with our family company we decide to create a own team in 2016.
Compared to other teams, you are a very young team. What was/ is still the most challenging?
FP: Yes, it is difficult, but yes we are really young team and only three full seasons of existence. However, the most challenging points is to find sponsors in Germany or Europe for motorsports and to build together a strong team with different cultures and languages.
Does your team or your riders have any rituals? Are there any funny facts or habits, you can share with us?
FP: Yes, each riders have different habits for example each rider gives his bike a female name.
How was the paddock’s reaction when you showed up with a NIU for the first time?
FP: It was really interesting to look in the faces, when nobody can hear you!
How could NIU help you in terms of mobility at a race track during a race weekend?
FP: Yes, it helps a lot, we are much faster with the tyres management and they can enjoy a lap on the service road.
Who rides the most with your NIU?
FP: Our riders.
Would you recommend NIU? Why?
FP: Yes, because it’s a powerful and sustainable scooter.
Which ambitions do you have for the 2020 season?
FP: Next season we start with two rookies, one from Switzerland and one from Belgium. So besides from Spain I want to push riders in North Europe next to Germany to come to the MotoGP. Also we will start next season our new project to open a Academy for young German talents. We want to develop riders in our academy to see their potential and use them for our Moto3GP team. For this young talents we need for sure also small e-scooters.
JAKUB KORNFEIL (TEAM RIDER)
Tell us more about your history and most important milestones Jakub!
JK: I started in my home garden with a motocross bike with only 5 years old and as every kid, at the beginning it was just for fun. Then in 2009 I had the possibility to takepart in the Red Bull Rookies Cup and I won it. This result allowed me to get into World Championship in 2010, first with 125 bike then with Moto3. Until now I have reached 5 podiums. My best race was for sure Brno in 2018, when I achieve the pole position in front of the Czech fans. It was an amazing weekend!
What were the main reasons, why you wanted to step in the Moto3 Championship?
JK: I started for fun but then I realize it could become a job as I was starting to achieve good results, so after the won of Red Bull Rookies Cup, I had the possibility to start in the World Championship and it was a dream coming true.
Do you have any rituals? Are there any funny facts or habits, you can share with us?
JK: Yes I have a few little rituals like always putting the right glove first and do a little jump then I wear the leather suit before the sessions. Moreover I always listen to the same songs before a race, it´s rock music in order to give me motivation and energy for the race.
How was the paddock`s reaction, when you showed up with a NIU for the first time?
JK: Many people asked about our NIU scooters when we first used them, mainly because they are fast and have a really nice design. But the best things is that they don´t make any noise while you ride it!
How could NIU help you in terms of mobility at a race track during a race weekend?
JK: It’s always useful to have a scooter to move around the paddock as it may happen that we are in a rush and need to be in two places at the same time! I usually use it to go around the paddock or in the service road.
Who rides the most with your NIU?
JK: It’s mainly me or a mechanic who uses them.
Would you recommend NIU? Why?
JK: Yes of course! I am very satisfied with its battery life as it allow me to do many kilometres with only one charge.
Which ambitions do you have for the 2020 season?
JK: It will be a new challenge with a new team, and the goal will be always the same: be the best and get the best results as possible!!
FILIP SALAC – TEAM RIDER (2019 SEASON)
How was the paddock`s reaction, when you showed up with a NIU for the first time?
FS: The design of the scooter was the most impressive thing, many people asked about it! And of course that fact that it´s electric and it makes no noise, was an additional advantage.
How could NIU help you in terms of mobility at a race track during a race weekend?
FS: It helps us a lot in the paddock, as we have to move around the track and by walking it would take too much time. I also love to take my NIU scooter and go around the service road to watch MotoGP practice and learn from the other riders.
Who rides the most with your NIU?
FS: Usually it’s me and my and riding coach.
Would you recommend NIU? Why?
FS: Of course! It is very useful and I am sure electric scooters will be more and more common in the paddock… we can say we were one of the first teams to use them!
You can catch up with Team @Prüstel here:
Official Facebook Page
Official Website
Featured Rider’s Instagram Profiles:
Filip Salac @filipsalac12
Jakub Kornfeil @jakubkornfeil84