The opening day of MotoGP at Le Mans was good for the French fans as Johann Zarco and Fabio Quartararo took the lead.
Zarco was the fastest with a time of 1: 31.747 seconds, while Quartararo was less than a tenth behind for Monster Energy Yamaha.
Both drivers have already shared the podium in Qatar this season in what they have referred to as a “special occasion” – words Quartararo uses again today to sum up his thoughts.
Quartararo said: “It’s special because I think it’s not that we see six or seven French riders at the front and we see two at the front. It’s two of us and we’re two at the top Top.” .
“I think it’s a great feeling for France and I think we’re showing our potential with two different bikes. I think it’s nice to see two French riders at the front.”
Like his teammate Maverick Vinales, Quartararo came to the fore in FP2 as conditions changed from wet to dry.
On the subject of matching items
And while that was positive, Quartararo also has a problem with cold tires like Vinales, which led to an accident.
Quartararo was one of nine crashers during the day in the premier class and, like Vinales, slipped at the Dunlop chicane.
“First of all, I think the pit limiter is way too far from where we start from the pit lane, so it’s not great, I think we need to bring it closer, and yes, the tire is so difficult to warm up “added Quartararo.
On the subject of matching items
“But you know, my pace was good straight away. On my fast lap I had a yellow flag and that lap was a lot faster than the one I did with a 31.8, it was a 31.5 or so.
“But happy, because right after the fall the pace was great and I feel good on the bike.”
While Quartararo admitted feeling a little “weird” and “different” after his surgery, he said the arm generally “felt good”.
The Frenchman added: “I felt different, a bit strange. I was a little more scared in FP2 because in FP2 everyone had new tires and they squeezed immediately because it might rain.
“It was a good lap time – it wasn’t a time attack, just a new tire with the fuel and I was pretty impressed with my lap time. The arm feels good, a little weird, but it’s okay.”