Quartararo and Zarco offer a second double to France in MotoGP

It's not quite historic, but exceptional enough to be highlighted; by triumphing in front of Johann Zarco, France won its second double in the premier category after that of the Doha GP last year with the same protagonists. Note that this is the fifth time that two French representatives have shared the podium in the category, the fourth just with Quarterly and Zarco.

An exhibition in relentless race pace! 🥇@FabioQ20 is your #PortugueseGP winner! 🇵🇹 #MotoGP pic.twitter.com/LOzVLquZvj

— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) April 24, 2022

From fifth on the grid, Quartararo made an excellent start to move into second on the first score. It was on the fourth lap that the world champion took the lead to head straight for his first success since Silverstone last year. “This morning, I felt good,” confides Quartararo about the warm-up. I felt like we had a chance to fight for the win, but I knew if I didn't get a good start and a good first lap, it was going to slip away from me. And I managed to get off to a good start. As soon as I passed second, in the third corner, I knew I was going to win. I felt that our pace was very fast (…). I was surprised to lap in 1'39, because we hadn't had any time on the track (in the dry, editor's note). »

Building on this victory, Quartararo regained the lead in the general standings (tied with Alex Rins) and the Niçois affirms that the title is still indeed possible, even if his Yamaha YZR-M1 may still suffer in future events. -YOU. “It’s on the table,” he said. I will never give up. No matter what we feel, what we think, we know our weak points and everyone knows it. Our top speed is low, but on this track with the slope (in a straight line, editor's note), I managed to negotiate the last corner well. I was surprised to be able to overtake the Suzuki in a straight line and even someone else… I'm very happy. »

👉🤙👍

Your #PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 podium:

🥇 @FabioQ20
🥈 @JohannZarco1
🥉 @AleixEspargaro #MotoGP pic.twitter.com/Og454Wqbsl

- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 24, 2022

For his part, despite all his efforts and starting from pole position, Zarco could do nothing to counter Quartararo. He even said he was surprised by his compatriot's pace. “I didn't get off to a very good start,” admits Zarco. But from the first braking, I understood that I could fight. I was very impressed by Fabio's pace, he was aggressive, but also very fast. Alex Marquez also had a very good start. I was delighted to feel comfortable on the bike. The key point of the race was overtaking Marquez and Miller. Joan Mir and I had a very good rhythm. I couldn't pass him because Fabio was too fast. It was therefore wiser to conserve energy by staying behind him. »

Zarco may have been patient in Mir's wake, but he made the right decision to pass him before being caught by Miller, who finally collided with the Spaniard a few laps from the checkered flag. “I made the right decision to overtake Mir, with nine laps to go, I think, because Miller was coming back strong. By going second, I may have avoided their collision. »

At the end of the race, Zarco had to deal with Aleix Espargaro and his Aprilia RS-GP, but the Frenchman held on to keep his second place. “I made a little extra effort to find shelter,” he adds. These 20 points are more than enough to make me happy. »

With his 13^e Top 3 in the premier category, Zarco is now the driver with the most podiums without reaching the top step, but he still has 16 races left to change the situation. The next meeting is scheduled in a few days in Jerez, the playground of Quartararo who won both races in 2020 and seemed destined for victory last year before suffering from compartment syndrome and falling down the rankings...