XM : There is obviously a lot of physical training that goes into being fully prepared for racing , but also on the mental side you need to have laser focus . How do you keep both in check ?
MT : I do a lot of training , five to six times a week and sometimes it ’ s a bit too much but I love to stay fit and also see how much I can push my fitness levels . I do a lot of high intensity interval training as well as strength and core . I also eat super healthy but I do enjoy my weekend cheats ! I ’ m a brand ambassador for Fitness First Middle East and they help with my fitness goals …. so I can ’ t slack off ! I love cycling too and I do enjoy that on weekends and whenever I can . As for mental strength , racing is the best training but I also like old style martial arts and far eastern culture ways of thinking and preparing for fights , like warriors and samurai . I try to educate myself in their ways when it comes to my mental abilities .
XM : Tell us a little bit about your new gig with OSN providing the commentary for MotoGP .
MT : It ’ s a great opportunity to reach out to the racing fans in the region and beyond ! OSN signed a five year deal with Dorna for the MotoGP and WorldSBK rights and they needed someone to do the Arabic commentary . I got introduced to them through On-side Sports who manage my commercial rights and it just took off from there . I ’ m enjoying it a lot at the moment . I am a bit of a geek when it comes to some technical information within MotoGP and I think that ’ s what OSN was looking for , plus the fact that I race myself makes it a lot easier to understand what ’ s happening behind the scenes . I ’ m looking forward to see where this takes us in the future .
XM : Away from racing , what are your other hobbies ?
MT : Fitness and training , cycling and I like listening to music . I ’ d like to give triathlons a go sometime ! Maybe after I retire from racing as I barely have time for anything now !
XM : Any secret talents people don ’ t know about ?
MT : I draw and sketch , it runs in the family and I used to do portraits a long time back but I took it to the professional side with illustrations as I do it often in my daily job as an Architect …. I do enjoy having a go at some healthy cooking from time to time but I ’ m a rookie at that ! Boiled eggs anyone ?
XM : What drives you ?
MT : Just the fact that I ’ d like to reach the maximum that I can in a sport that I love , I don ’ t believe in limits , I have a strong belief in the power of mind and what it can achieve with a fit body . My motivation is my hunger to be better … all the time !
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