[ad_1]
Morbidelli’s relaxed smile after victory is as sweet as the lines he drew with his M1 at Misano. After a year in the shadow of Quartararo, Franco today took his ‘revenge’, showing class and maturity. His career was a samba between the curbs, to keep faith in his Brazilian ancestry, at a pace that nobody knew how to maintain. The reward was a victory, a first in MotoGP.
“I’ve always dreamed of it but it has never obsessed me – he said – I have always looked only at the next step to take and this weekend it was victory. I focused on every little detail to prepare for the race and once I started I felt good, fluid and consistent. A beautiful feeling. “
In the first laps you had to race with Rossi …
“He put a lot of pressure on me, it was like having a pitchfork in the butt (laughs). We didn’t bother and we made a hole for ourselves, then I separated from him too and that was an even bigger surprise ”.
What did you think of those laps on your own?
“Many things, it was a kind of psychology session (laughs). The first thought was for all the people who have helped me in my career, who believed in me. Seven years ago I was winning on this same track, but I was in the Italian championship, at Superstock. The curve of my career has been very short and steep, I have to thank the VR46 Academy, my girlfriend, her family, my family, my mother, because they did a great job with me, they pushed me to the maximum ”.
Did you also think about your dad who is no longer here?
“This victory is also for him, he taught me to be strong and tough. I’ve never been crushed by this environment because the people around me never rushed me, they gave me the right opportunities at the right time. Without them I wouldn’t be here ”.
With Rossi on the podium, would the day have been better?
“I’m happy for Mir, but with Valentino it would have been a perfect day for the Riders Academy. I’m also happy for Pecco, I know what he’s been through this month and he’s done a fantastic job ”.
In MotoGP you and Bagnaia in front of everyone, in Moto2 Marini and Bezzecchi, what is the secret of the Academy?
“The key is that the best driver in the world decided to bet on this project and the result is that almost all the young Italians come from there. Valentino is a champion who puts his facilities and experience at our disposal, it is a noble gesture. He is a friend, but I call him uncle because of the respect I have for him ”.
With all these thoughts, wasn’t he in danger of being distracted?
“Actually, the last thing on my mind was the track, I couldn’t concentrate but the pace stayed constant even though my head was in the clouds.Maybe today someone wanted me to win. It usually works like this for me: when I slow down, I regain focus. They were the 10 most important laps of my career, of my life, and I really enjoyed it ”.
Weren’t you surprised that Viñales and Quartararo weren’t in the fight?
“I don’t worry about them, only about myself, about my result. In practice they seemed to have the best pace of all, but what matters is the race. I’m glad I was the fastest today ”.
So is it better not to start as a favorite?
“I would rather be the favorite, because it means you have shown your strength in practice, but today I was a stranger. The truth is that Maverick and Fabio had shown incredible strength, they did very fast laps with the same ease with which you drink a glass of water ”.
Tonight you will have to celebrate, will you let your Brazilian soul out?
“We have tests on Tuesday, so it is better to remain Italian or become Japanese (laughs).”
You are the only Yamaha rider who does not have a factory bike, is that a disadvantage?
“I don’t know what the differences are, I can only thank Yamaha for the bike I have because it allowed me to win a race, it’s still a great bike. I certainly think the factory M1 is better, it’s the most up-to-date, but I’m satisfied with what I have ”.
Do you think the other drivers have changed their perception of you after this victory?
“I am proud of what I have done, but I do not think too much about what others think of me, I am focused on doing my job.”
And by your side you have Ramon Forcada …
“He is a phenomenon, he has incredible experience, skills and intelligence. I like working with him, he’s smart and the whole team works well. He is a great person, he may not be as young as other coaches, but if you understand his way of thinking, a world opens up for you ”.
You are the fifth different winner in 6 races, what do you expect from this championship?
“It is a real battle, there are many strong cyclists and motorcycles and not a clear teacher. They say that it seems that nobody wants to win this title but I think the opposite is true: everyone wants to win it.
[ad_2]
