Fabio Quartararo and Johann Zarco are more expected than ever.
At the end of a 2020 season that is far more open than usual (nine different winners in 14 Grand Prix) following the injury of six-time champion Marc Marquez, the two French are back on the way to the MotoGP world championship with a new status since their change of stable.
Ambitious, the two men should play the leading roles on Sunday (7 p.m., on Canal +), for the first round of the season in Qatar.
The new responsibilities of Fabio Quartararo
After two first seasons with the Petronas Yamaha SRT satellite team, Fabio Quartararo joined the official Yamaha team.
A new exhibition already official since January 2020, long before the Frenchman made a thunderous start last July, when the motorcycle season resumed.
Winner of the first two rounds of the season, on the Jerez circuit (Spain), the Niçois brought France their first victory in the premier class for more than 20 years.
“Fabio must confirm after a first year where he won three races, plant Randy de Puniet, motorcycle consultant for Canal +.
We believed in that title.
The goal for Fabio now is to have a solid season from start to finish. ”
Allusion made to a disappointing 8th place final (5th in the standings for his rookie season in 2019), despite a third success in Catalonia in September.
I got out of my head that I was taking the place of Valentino Rossi
Fabio Quartararo, on Canal +
“I had never had the opportunity to be leader of a championship before last year, resolves the French pilot at the microphone of Canal +.
Then came mechanical concerns.
We had so many problems that we couldn't afford to fight for victory. ”
Persistent problems with the Yamaha engine could once again hamper the 21-year-old prodigy's season.
However, it is now his task to develop the bike, since he replaced his idol Valentino Rossi (who did the opposite at Petronas) in the official team.
“It's not really pressure, Quartararo cut.
I got out of my head that I was taking Valentino's place.
That's it, I'm a Yamaha rider, my goals are clear, my motivation is increased tenfold.
(…) I have a lot more responsibilities, in particular on the development of the bike, it is a question of being really precise on the comments. ”
Randy de Puniet (140 GP, 2 podiums) goes further: "he must develop the bike to lead it to the title."
A title that has eluded the Italian team since 2015.
Grand Prix Week / Race Week pic.twitter.com/JIrqrepEX1
- Fabio Quartararo (@ FabioQ20) March 22, 2021
In any case, Fabio Quartararo advances with confidence on the Losail circuit, where he made his debut in the premier class in 2019, where he had the fastest lap of the GP (16th place final).
Best time in the pre-season tests on the same Qatar circuit, “El Diablo” is thus the favorite of this first round.
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The rebirth of Johann Zarco
All smiles, Johann Zarco does not hide having regained confidence.
A state of mind started by his failed stint at KTM in 2019, before he found his colors in the Spanish team Reale Avintia with in particular a third place last August in the Czech Republic.
After two tops 5 (including a GP of France), the double world champion of moto2 (2015, 2016) earned his factory bike at Ducati, which placed him within the Pramac satellite team, where he replaces Jack Miller, promoted to the official team.
He's one of the fastest riders in MotoGP
Paolo Ciabatti, sports director of Ducati, on Canal +
“We are very happy to have Johann with us, he's one of the fastest riders in Moto GP,” said Paolo Ciabatti, Ducati sporting director.
He is in the best conditions to show his full potential, I expect a great season from him. ”
And the 30-year-old responded at the outset, setting the sixth fastest time in the pre-season testing, just over four tenths behind the mark of his compatriot.
Above all, Johann Zarco took the opportunity to set a speed record in the premier class, after peaking at 357.6 km / h.
Something to reassure about his state of health and that of the Ducati Desmosedici GP20, the same as for the riders of the official team.
“There is a potential to go very quickly, savored the Cannois at the microphone of Canal +.
I feel that there is still a margin to even better pilot this bike.
When I take all the right points of reference, I will gain consistency, and there it will become very interesting. ”
And why not go for a first success in MotoGP.
The (very) young Lorenzo Fellon will evolve in Moto3
Aged only 16, Lorenzo Fellon will make his debut in the world championship by participating in the Moto3 championship with the SIC58 Squadra Corse team.
"The important thing will be to gain as much experience as possible while having fun on the bike," agreed the rookie in the program "En Pôle", on Canal + this Wednesday.
It's a dream to be where I am, I try to enjoy every day.
At the end of the year, the goal would of course be to finish better rookie, but the level is very high.
It's a good challenge. ”
On his Honda motorcycle, the Frenchman aspires to follow in the footsteps of his two compatriots, including Fabio Quartararo, from whom he took over number 20.
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