Exclusive interview with Claude Michy (French GP): “The reception of Johann Zarco by the public did him good to his heart”

With 206 spectators present this year at Le Mans, including 323 on Sunday (104 last year, record) the French Grand Prix was once again a magnificent success with very good races, despite moderately favorable weather. , with 020° during the MotoGP race. After having dissected the action on the track and the events in the paddock on our site, we now take stock with Claude Michy, the organizer.

What is your overall assessment, were you satisfied with the 2019 edition of the French Grand Prix?

" The results are very positive. The races were superb, with an astonishing Moto3 event. The atmosphere was very good, despite the weather being perhaps average. The audience was good. There was no major incident, it’s above all a good image for the bike, which is important too.”

“Overall, attendance was equivalent to last year, therefore at a very high level. We will now take stock in order to see what went wrong and prepare for next year.”

Among the great moments, which were the strongest, most impressive or moving for you?

“The first is the tribute to the commissioner who died. The commissioners are essential for the competition. He was leaving for duty with his comrades and suddenly collapsed. A car that was right behind stopped with someone who helped him right away. The doctors arrived very quickly, there were all the means that you will never have if it happens to you on the sidewalk in a street. It was the day, destiny is like that.”

“I found that the gesture ofAlex Rins was magnificent. But that doesn't surprise me about these boys, all of them are very respectful and very aware of the importance of the marshals when they speak on the track because they are their guardian angels, all the same."

“There was also everything we did around the 50th anniversary, it was quite magical, going around the circuit during the Mechanical Show with very beautiful machines, including all those which had won in 1969.”

“The success of the historical exhibits has been astonishing. People were lining up, waiting to gain access. And then Ago was great! »

Did the temperature, and the weather in general, pose any organizational problems?

“No, because we were very lucky: it didn't rain too much, just a little on Saturday. We were quite miraculous on that side because it rained in many other places.”

How did you experience the weekend of the French Johann Zarco and Fabio Quartararo?

“I found that the public was very supportive of Johann in the difficulty he is currently going through. I was in the Fan Zone – which was really packed – when he arrived on stage and I found that his welcome was magical. I think it did his heart good, honestly.”

« Fabio is magical too. He's brand new, he's amazing... Unfortunately his departure didn't go as he would have liked, but what he did afterwards was exceptional. He remained accessible. I found him very strong because there was a lot of pressure on him, and he is very young but he showed that he can hold his own.”

Your son Philibert and your daughter Victoria presented cups to the champions on the podiums. What is the reason ?

“We have to prepare them for the future. Me, I never presented the slightest cup during the Grand Prix. The only time I did it was for my disabled friends the first year because they asked me and I couldn't say no. But my place is not there.”

Many foreigners present (spectators and journalists) expressed on social networks their admiration for the drivers of the Handy Race who showed incredible mastery despite their difficulty. Are you proud to have given them a chance to express themselves in front of an international audience?

“It’s not pride, it’s real pleasure. If you like, we often talk about disabled people and there is a lot of politics around that, but there is little real action. What we tried to do with Stéphane Paulus and Emiliano Malagoli is that everything goes well for the third year. The paddock is adapted to them, in terms of reception, toilets, etc. We consider them as participants in the same way as MotoGP.”

“The goal is not speed as a priority, but to demonstrate that the handicap can be overcome. We are dealing with exceptional people. As valid as we are, we always complain about the little ailments we have. Seeing them ride puts you in your place. In addition, they are people who are funny, who love life, and who are given a warm welcome. They are an integral part of the Grand Prix. It's not the Paralympic Games 15 days later. It’s the same weekend in the same place, and that’s it.”

Photos © Michelin, Gold and Gosse and Marcin Kin for KTM

Video: The French GP filmed in slow motion

Video: First victory for the Petronas SIC team with John McPhee

Alex Rins offers his helmet to the commissioners in memory of their late friend