President, hot since Fabio Quartararo has only just come off the podium, are your eyes misty-eyed by this first MotoGP world champion title for a French rider?
Sébastien Poirier : " Indeed, I have misty eyes like many French people and like many motorcycle enthusiasts, because we have just experienced an exceptional moment of emotion as only sport can offer. We had a magnificent Fabio, a magnificent champion, and for the first time in our history we have a champion in the premier category, so if we are not moved there, we never will be! »
Does this motivate you even more to detect and support young French talents, as you have undertaken?
« Obviously, this is what we want and what we must, because this victory reminds us how important it is to have champions for a sport to shine, and that corresponds exactly to everything that the We are currently in the process of setting up, between schools, regional championships and the promotion of the best French level. This is obviously further motivation to ensure that we have more French people capable of winning tomorrow's titles. It is a long process ! There is no secret and I think that Fabio demonstrates it completely and perfectly, it is a work that takes place over time. Fabio devoted his entire youth and his young life to motorcycling and to his sport, and it is only work, seriousness and commitment that pay off. I think this is proof of everything Fabio has managed to achieve, and we are obviously very happy! Of course, we as a federation want to maintain this and have such emotional moments in future years. »
We don't forget Johann Zarco who had a magnificent start to the season, and who is the godfather of the reform you are currently undertaking...
« Exactly ! Indeed, Johann has had a very good season and today he achieved a very good fifth place after having made good progress throughout the race. We must not forget his start to the season which was totally exceptional with the podiums where two French people appeared. Johann is still in the middle of his career but he has agreed to be the sponsor of the course that we deployed very recently and which we will carry for the 2022 season. I am very happy with what we need of our ambassadors, and our champions are our natural ambassadors to all our audiences. When a Johann accompanies us, it's really a plus for a project and we need to have this transmission and ensure that the little ones can see themselves in the eyes and in the symbolism of their champions. »
We also don't forget Claude Michy who is also involved as an expert in this journey...
« Obviously ! It's obviously Fabio, but through him it's France that wins, it's motorcycle sport that wins, with all its players, including its major players like Claude, and we really can't wait to see the year next on the French Grand Prix Fabio with his world champion number. All together, we must share this project to ensure that it is a collective success in the coming years. »
Can this world title encourage French manufacturers to support motorcycle sport in France more than they do at present?
« In any case, that’s the goal! If they do not do it now, and if we cannot unite around a structuring project like the one we presented, we will never succeed. I believe that today the motor sports sector in France is doing well, and I believe that all economic players are well aware that a title like that of Fabio will make it possible to unite and boost this economic contribution. We need everyone to succeed in the project, and we will succeed together!
It's truly a moment of emotion, a moment of sharing and a moment of happiness for all our licensees, all our motorcycle clubs and all our volunteers who invest daily in motorcycles. Whatever the sporting discipline, I believe that the world of motorcycling is totally behind Fabio, and is very proud of its sport and of what we represent. »
