Expectation, optimism and butterflies: the press conference before the event gets Portimão going
Marquez, Oliveira, Zarco, Quartararo, Viñales and Mir are preparing for the third round, each with a different challenge
Thursday April 15, 2021
After two tough racing weekends in Qatar, the grid is ready to qualify and start for another as MotoGP ™ takes over the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve roller coaster near Portimão – and this time Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) joins them . when the eight-time world champion gets back into the turmoil after nine months on the sidelines. Marquez chaired the pre-event press conference, along with new championship leader Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing), Doha winner Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), his teammate and Qatar GP winner Maverick Viñales, reigning world champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar). and Heimheld – and last year’s winner – Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).
Marquez spoke first.
Marc Marquez. Photo courtesy of Dorna.
Marc Marquez: “It’s really nice to be here with all of you again. It’s been a tough nine months, really difficult. Tomorrow it will be time to take the most important step in my rehabilitation, riding a MotoGP bike. And it’s true, I’m nervous, I’ve got some butterflies in my stomach that are not normal for me. But I know they’ll be gone after the first FP and now it’s time to enjoy it on the bike again. Today I met the whole team, the Japanese staff, when I saw the Spanish staff in a test and they are so motivated. And immediately I said, don’t forget that we don’t have a goal this weekend. I won’t be the same Marc as in the first RP, I need time. Even so, my rehabilitation is two things; physically and mentally. We’re in, but I’m really happy to be here and look forward to riding my bike. “
How was it on the edge?
“It was really strange, especially at the beginning, then it was normal in the middle, I was just a fan watching on TV and enjoying it. It was hard to decide not to go in Qatar 1 and 2, I felt ready but not 100% and the doctors stopped me. I followed that advice. But it was difficult, nine difficult months, with the doubt not only whether I will drive again, but also whether I will have a normal arm. I was optimistic and the people around me helped me a lot to keep the motivation there. And our goal is to ride a MotoGP bike again. “
The conditions on Friday could be mixed:
“I don’t want to ride a MotoGP bike in the rain for the first time in a long time! But when I’m here, it’s because I’m ready to drive in all situations and when it rains, I drive. I did a private test a month ago, that was the last time I rode a bike. I was on a flat racing bike last Monday but the last time I rode a real bike was here a month ago. The track was nice and good. For these guys their confidence is high, my confidence is not high right now! I’m in a different situation, I’ll start one step at a time. No matter what track or what time, now is my preseason and I’m looking forward to riding my Honda. “
The others were also asked first about the return of the eight-time world champion.
Johann Zarco. Photo courtesy of Dorna.
Johann Zarco: “I think it’s so good and the main thing is that it’s important for Marc. I can’t imagine what he is like, a man with so much energy who has to stay home and doubts whether he would have his arm back to normal. I think the fans are happy, but the most important is himself. I can imagine the butterflies he says he has. But I am happy for him that he can remove his doubts. “
Fabio Quartararo. Photo courtesy of Dorna.
Fabio Quartararo: “It’s great for him after such a long time without jumping on a MotoGP bike and for the championship. If you’re an eight-time world champion, if you’re not here for the whole of 2020, it felt strange and I think it’s great to have him back. I think it will be great when everyone and the fans have the reference from the last few years here. “
Maverick Vinales. Photo courtesy of Dorna.
Maverick Viñales: “I think it’s great for everyone, for everyone … with a driver a year away it would be a very difficult time for me as a driver. I am really happy that he can be here. Our way of enjoying life is safe riding a bicycle. This is our way. The chance to ride a bike and be here again is incredible and I think we’re all happy because riders can be rivals on the track, but off the track we feel good and that’s important. I’m really happy for him to have all the drivers here and especially to have Marc here, who is one of the biggest guys in the championship. “
Joan Mir. Photo courtesy of Dorna.
Joan Mir: “I am happy for Marc that he is here, in recent years he has been the reference. Having him here again is a great opportunity for me to learn from him. I’m glad he’s back. Let’s see how competitive he’ll be, but being here is the first step and I’m happy. “
Miguel Oliveira. Photo courtesy of Dorna.
Miguel Oliveira: “I can’t add anything other than what others have said. Obviously he is happy for him first that after such a terrible accident he can be a normal person and eventually get back to what he likes to do, which is ride a bike, like all of us. I think from the competition side we are all very excited because despite the good results last year, the class still lacked the dominator for the last decade, which makes it a bit more motivating for all of us to do so. “
The conversation then continued over the coming weekend when MotoGP ™ returned to the roller coaster.
Johann Zarco: “Coming as a leader is pretty nice, it’s a nice feeling. The best position to start the European tour! I think the bike works well here in Portimão. We always think it will and can be more difficult, but the podium and second place for Jack last year are pretty important and mean the bike is competitive. And also the feeling I had last year was interesting and I was still on the way to improving my level. So I hope to have this speed right from the first RP and keep it for qualifying and the race. I’m pretty optimistic and hope that this position as a leader gives me extra energy to keep pushing for another podium. If all goes well, why not take it one step better with victory? But we have to start on Friday and see, but I think the bike has great potential and I can hope for a nice result. “
Fabio Quartararo: “Last year I was in a different situation, we were fighting for the championship in Valencia and it was difficult, even if the bike wasn’t working that well, my mind wasn’t the same and it was a mistake. It will be good to be here after great races in Qatar. I feel so good with the bike that I think it’s the best moment to see what our potential is on this track. But I feel good, I have a lot of confidence with the bike and I think it can’t be as bad as last year … and a good track for us too! “
Maverick Viñales: “I don’t think we had any big problems here last year. We got off to a strong start on Friday, but then we touched the bike too much and got a little lost. I don’t think we understood how we can achieve the maximum potential on the track. But it’s the kind of track I like where I can go fast and it’s important. This year we arrive differently, last year we came from difficult times and still we had a really good rhythm at the end of the race. So I can imagine that the bike has good potential. We’re going to try to work and figure out how to get it. Qualifying will be the key and we’ll see what we can do, but I’m confident and I know the potential we have. “
Joan Mir: “I think the performance last year didn’t show much because I think we had a lot of problems, technical problems and it was a shame. I like this track very much, I like to drive here and now we have a good opportunity to get a good result on Sunday. I’m confident I think we can do great here. So let’s see! “
Miguel Oliveira: “Qatar was a tough couple of laps for us, the second race a little better, but we had a technical problem with the dashboard… I still think we had a stronger weekend. And when we come here we want to continue the journey that we finished last year. There are some expectations, but we shouldn’t worry about repeating or improving the result. We just enjoy driving a GP which for me is a privilege to race in my home track! “