Gino Borsoi back in 1998 while in practice at the track in Johor, Malaysia, ran over a cobra, killing it. Hence the nickname 'Cobra Killer' and the emblem on his helmet. Usually placid in reality Gino, since he has been team manager at Pramac Ducati, knows how to bite back: every now and then he clashes with the equally fiery and veracious Davide Tardozzi, but it's a bit of a game of sides.
Long at the side of the likes of Jorge 'Aspar' Martinez, Borsoi has experience to spare on all fronts, which is why he's the ideal man to talk to about the fratricidal clash - because we're talking about two factory Ducati riders - between Bagnaia and Martin, themselves both former teammates in the days of the smallest displacement category. In Thailand, at the Buriram circuit, Pecco and Jorge are at the final showdown, with three Sprints and three Grands Prix in all to be contested. One hundred and eleven points in total that Martin cannot manage with any tranquillity because he enters the ring with only a 20-point lead over his rival.
"There's not much maths to do, 20 points is important from a certain point of view, but absolutely not enough with 37 up for grabs at each GP. One mistake can quickly bring you back to zero and there are still six races to go, that's not an advantage you can be comfortable with."
Will the title be decided at Valencia?
"The trend at the moment is this, also because when things go wrong for them one makes 3rd and the other 2nd. Lately they have always managed to bring home great results that have allowed them not to lose too many points on their opponent. It is quite logical to think that they will come to Valencia to fight for the title."
How and how much have you seen Martin changed this season?
"I would say he is a Jorge 3.0. He has managed to improve a lot in the mental and management aspect, he has the peace of mind of knowing that he is one of the best riders, but he knows that it is not necessary to always prove that he is the best. Consistency has made him a more balanced rider, probably a little bit less fast. In certain races, in certain qualifying sessions we couldn't bring out the best, but it was right. Consistency, with a calendar with Sprints, pays a lot more and that's what we lacked last year. Compared to last season, we reprogrammed internally, we saw what was the best way to get to the end of the year with the biggest possible haul. I think, right now, both the team and Jorge have succeeded."
How much has Martin grown mentally?
"Already last year I suggested to him that he should have a sports psychologist, because in my opinion this is something that is important and necessary for all riders today. In our world there is still some prejudice towards this idea, instead it is not the case. Just as a racer goes to the gym and on motorcycles to train the body, he has to go to the psychologist to train the mind. It's an extra gym, at this level if you're not also strong in the head you're missing something to fight for the World Championship. Jorge has accepted it willingly and it helped him a lot. You can also tell from his interviews, he has improved a lot and, in my opinion, he has taken the step he was missing."
There is a lot of talk about this rivalry with Pecco, many turn their noses up at it because it is very quiet in tone.
"I like this kind of rivalry and I promote it, although I can understand that it is less interesting for the public. People like confrontation, I don't. It's a healthy rivalry off the track and professional on the track."
Could you and Tardozzi have a controversy...?
"Last year we insulted each other more, this year both he and I have improved (laughs). We moved to the psychological field, it's a smarter way to handle these things. At the end of the day we are a family, if we are here and we are fighting for the World Championship it is also and above all thanks to Ducati that is continuing to provide us with a great bike and all the support we need."
With Martin going to Aprilia and the Pramac team with Yamaha, the question had come up that Borgo Panigale might be making a different sort of reasoning.
"People like arguments and they never remember Ducati's fairness to us, even to their detriment. We are fighting for a World Championship against the factory team and it could be 'a problem.' I don't think any other manufacturer would have done such a thing."
We talked about the challenge between Martin and Bagnaia, but there are at least two other deciding factors in this championship finale: Marquez and Bastianini.
"They are two actors who add to this stupendous film and who are definitely capable of being able to fight for the win almost every time. They can take points away from us as well as Pecco, they have a personal fight for 3rd place in the World Championship and I expect that they will not gift anything to anyone. If they can win they will try and the same if they have to risk a little more, while Pecco and Martin will have to try to stay a little more buttoned up. Marc and Enea have nothing to lose, we do. We have to think about how to manage these last races."