Moto GP: at the Carole circuit, motorcyclists rely on the Quartararo effect

On the Carole circuit in Tremblay-en-France (Seine-Saint-Denis), the sun burns the asphalt, without dissuading the pilots present. But the heat remains much less stifling than the 60 degrees on the ground recorded in Jerez, during Fabio Quartararo's double in July.

In Andalusia, the 21-year-old driver from Nice made history by becoming the first Frenchman to win two Grands Prix in the premier class. Many speedbike enthusiasts at the Carole circuit witnessed this feat in front of their television, and will assiduously follow the Czech Republic Grand Prix this Sunday.

But, for them, no explosion of joy when crossing the finish line, “à la Mbappé”. This victory, they saw it coming. “Here, we are all happy, of course, but not surprised. We knew that with so much talent, the first victory was going to happen very quickly, ”soberly explains Franz Monard, a regular on the circuit.

Between two laps at Carole, we compare the performances of the day, we discuss the next Grand Prix, we mention the podium of legend Rossi in Jerez. “Valentino has done a lot for motorcycles in Italy. Perhaps thanks to Fabio, there will be a similar effect ”, rejoices Régis Gomes, practicing for more than 40 years.

Beyond having a French champion, Thomas, loyal to Carole, hopes that the image of bikers will benefit from it: "We will perhaps stop thinking that the biker does not respect anything on the road and exceeds anyhow. He says, his voice partially covered by the surrounding roar.

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Here, practitioners explain that they started speed motorcycles "in their twenties." The precocity of Fabio Quartararo stands out in this environment. Régis, who took part in the 125cc French Championships, at the same time as Etienne Quartararo, assures us that “Fabio's father really did everything American style, putting him behind a handlebars very early on, and taking him on all circuits. This is how you become a champion, but you need the entourage to support, ”he breathes.

Motorcycles, "a family affair"

"If parents do not already adhere to the bike, getting started young is complicated, recognizes Jacques Bolle, president of the French Motorcycling Federation. It is a real family investment to travel to the races. “At the Carole circuit, there is no lack of argument. With a few exceptions, motorcycles, “it's a family affair. "

Thomas and Clément started riding motorcycles 15 and 2 years ago respectively. / Léa Dandois Delaigue  

Régis Gomes therefore places his hopes in Fabio Quartararo and Johann Zarco to breathe new life into the youngsters, and does not fail to recall his own beginnings. The 61-year-old driver remembers the demonstrations at the Bastille for the creation of the circuit on which he stands today: “I was there from the start, in 1980. Before Carole, we were going to ride in Rungis without safety, it there were a lot of deaths. "

But now the discipline is sure, insists Franz Monard. “We can see it at the Grands Prix, it's quite sanitized. There are no more big falls or risky overtaking. That must be one of the reasons why some people don't watch, ”considers the 39-year-old pilot.

"Fabio will bring a lot to the motorcycle"

With the exploits of the Frenchman, Carole's pilots are now counting on the media coverage of their discipline. “The fact that we did not have representatives can explain the lack of interest of the French. But now that we have them… ”, Franz points out, his voice suspended.

Since the start of the season, the Moto GP has been breaking audience records on Canal +, with an average of 814,000 viewers in front of the first race. But for Régis, the figure of the champion is not enough: “We should see the Grands Prix in the clear, not only that of France, otherwise no young person will be able to identify with Fabio. Wish granted, the Styrian Grand Prix, set for 23 August, will be broadcast live on C8.

Régis Gomes notes a final obstacle to the discipline: its cost. Without sponsors, the speed bike remains difficult to access. "The clubs do not provide material, and finding a circuit is not like finding a football stadium," adds Jacques Bolle.

“But here at Carole, weekends are free. Young people must come and find out. It allows you to let off steam, and not be tempted to do anything on the road, ”encourages Régis Gomes. The rider, his voice full of hope, concludes: “Fabio will bring a lot to the bike, but what I expect is to see a young Carole shine. "