After 7 full seasons in GP, including 4 in 250 and 3 in MotoGP, Sylvain became World Superbike Champion in 2014. Currently competing in British Superbike with Suzuki, he will compete in the French GP to replace Alex Rins. His last Grand Prix took place in Germany in 2011 on a Ducati Pramac. He has just completed two days of testing in Jerez with the official Suzuki MotoGP team.
How did your tests go?
“The tests went very well. We worked well. Certainly being able to do a test run before the Le Mans race was a great opportunity because it's been a while since I've been on a MotoGP. There was also the tire allocation to study. It was a great pleasure. This was an opportunity to begin to understand the machine. It really is a fabulous motorcycle.
You finished 2.6 behind Vinales and Marquez, which was good. What is your point of view?
“That was the first day, when I did a few laps at the end of the afternoon to adjust the position on the bike and get to know the machine. The second day, I rode significantly faster. I got very close to the times that had been achieved with the Suzuki during the weekend. We worked a lot on the second day with the racing tires so that I could understand how to use the bike and the tires. In terms of performance, I expected to be much further than that.
“Then, to keep up with the regular drivers, I am aware that it will be very difficult. But I'm here to try to adapt as quickly as possible, so it's going to be a very interesting challenge.
Can we know your time for the second day or is it confidential?
“It was a private test, about which we did not communicate. Let's just say it went very well. We also evaluated new features on the machine. It was interesting for Suzuki to have another opinion and another feeling about the bike. An outside eye can provide useful comments.
Do you like the Suzuki GSX-RR?
“Yes, it’s a fabulous bike. She is incredible. The power is enormous, as is the manner in which it is delivered. It's incomparable with other machines, a different feeling. I was able to try the aero fairing for the first time, which has a very interesting effect on performance. Testing what is at the top of current technology was a great experience.
Did you talk with Andrea Iannone? Did he give you any advice?
« I don't think he's going to give me any advice (laugh). We talked, we talked a little because we already knew each other from the time we were in GP together. It was nice to get back into the Grand Prix world where I have a lot of friends and acquaintances.
The Suzuki team looked a little distraught with Alex Rins' injuries and Iannone's up-and-down performance. Is this also the impression you had?
“In MotoGP, the level of competition is at its most extreme. This is a very difficult category. Alex was injured and it's a difficult ordeal to overcome. They have an experienced driver – Andrea – and a rookie who is learning the category. It’s a good complement for the team. Andrea in the United States made a superb comeback, with the fourth fastest time in the race. The team and the machine are competitive, but the competition is tough.
We had the impression during the Jerez GP that the Michelins worked well in a narrow range of settings. Either we found them, like the factory Hondas, or we didn't find them like the official Yamahas. Did you have this impression of limited margin?
“For me, the performance was determined by the Jerez circuit. In Superbike it's the same: when it's cold, in the morning or during winter tests, the grip is completely different from what it is when the track is hot. The times vary, and some drivers and teams manage to manage the situation better. For me it wasn't really a tire problem, because in Superbike it's exactly the same. You have to be able to maintain the times when the grip goes down.
“Look, for example, the race pace for the win was 1'41.0. Like last year. Pedrosa ran a total time two seconds faster than Valentino the year before, but Valentino's performance was completely different from year to year. You have to adapt your driving style and settings to changing track conditions.
“It also depends on the rubber deposit, more important if it is not raining, including Moto2 and Moto3. Depending on all this data, it creates really very different track conditions. »
“I wish Alex Rins a speedy recovery and a soon return to the circuits. »
Photos © Suzuki and motogp.com
