Tuesday Conversation: Leandro Mercado

Former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookie Leandro Mercado joined the Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki squad for 2009, contending both the SuperSport and Daytona SportBike classes and rarely failing to impress whenever he took to the track. He scored two SuperSport victories early in the season, and finished third in the SuperSport East division despite visa problems that prevented the young Argentinean from competing in several of the mid-season rounds. In October, he won the AMA Pro SuperSport Shootout at Daytona, passing Josh Day on the last lap to take the overall SuperSport Championship. We called Leandro at his home in Argentina to get his thoughts on the season.

RRX: What’s the racing scene like in Argentina?
Leandro Mercado: In Argentina the racing is really good, but it is very expensive. Because of that there are not too many races, but a lot of talented riders. There are like twenty-five active tracks.

Is racing popular there?
Yes, and it is on live TV.

How did you get started?
I raced flat track in Argentina since I was 6 years old, until [age] 13. Then, in 2006, I started in Supermoto with a KTM 125, but I always loved road racing, and that same year I started with a Honda 250cc 4-stroke. In 2007 I started racing with a Honda 600 in the Argentinean championship, and was invited for the Red Bull [U.S] Rookies Cup selection at Barber.

Talk a little bit about your experience as a Red Bull U.S. Rookie.
That was a great experience where I could learn a lot of things with a world champion coach and a magnificent person like Kevin Schwantz. I will never forget that wonderful season; they made me feel very good and I will always be thankful for all that they gave me.

How did you get hooked up with Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki?
Before the end of the Rookies Cup [season], my trainer, Leo Bagnis, gave my resume to the paddock and we had a few calls, but the most interested was Attack Kawasaki, who set up a practice for me right away.

Do you think the new SuperSport class has been good for you, as a young, up-and-coming rider?
It was a magnificent idea that AMA [Pro Racing] had for creating this class, and to let young riders gain experience for their future.

How do you feel about your performance this season?
I am very happy with my performance this year, which was my first season in the class, and I will keep working to improve in the coming seasons.

You won the SuperSport Shootout at Daytona earlier this month, taking the championship in the process.

Yes, it was a dream that I have always had and it came true. We worked really hard to get this championship, and I’m very happy. I want to give thanks to my team, Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki, for their trust in me.

What was it like to be a part of that team?
It was awesome because I spent time with really fast and famous guys like [Jamie] Hacking and [Roger] Hayden. It was like a dream for me.

How do you like it in the States?
Oh, [it] is awesome!  I have so much time to train all day, and so many tracks for practice.

Will you be doing any racing in Argentina during our off-season?
Yes, I’m racing Supermoto in the national championship so that I keep moving and stay in contact with the bike.

What do your friends back home think about you racing in the U.S.?
Everyone thinks it is pretty cool, but nobody understands how I can be far away from home for a long time. But I love bikes, and that is my reason.

Is your family into racing as well?
My whole family loves the bikes, and my dad and uncle raced a couple years when they were younger, but just for fun. It was not at a professional level.

Who are your racing heroes?
Rossi and Spies.

What are your plans for next season?
For the next season, I would like compete in the [Daytona] SportBike class, but still I don´t have anything yet.

Where would you like to see your career in, say, three years?
I would like to be in the new Moto2 world championship class, or why not MotoGP?