Franco Morbidelli had a happy day on Saturday qualifying at Le Mans, except that his knee twisted at the most unexpected moment. It was when he returned to his box at the end of FP3 and wanted to practice changing bikes that he collapsed. A left meniscus is suspected but more will be needed to put the Petronas pilot to rest. Because apart from that, he was in the game, including in the rain. Which always makes you forget the pain...
Franco Morbidelli will start from a good fourth place in this Grand Prix of France which didn't start so well on Friday. The 2020 world vice-champion will command the second row of a starting grid where we will find three Yamaha among the first four plots. The Italian-Brazilian driver will be in good company since John Zarco (Ducati Pramac) and Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) will be at his side.
« Today we had a good qualification. We are on the second row and it is important to start from the top of the grid » comments the teammate of a Valentino Rossi ninth. “ We went fast in all conditions, both on a very wet and very dry track. That makes me happy and I hope tomorrow will be a good day like today or even better. This morning in the wet, I was riding well, we took a step forward in this area as well. If it rains, I will try to repeat what I did in FP3 ».
Morbidelli was already being treated for his knee
He adds : " I hope to be able to fight for the podium because of the characteristics of the track and the state of form we are in. This year we improved compared to last year, I feel a little more mature, I try to improve the aspects where I lack a little more, for example braking, a point where I was not very strong last year. Since I was often in front, we didn't think too much about working on it. I feel like we're better than last year ».
He ends by talking about his left knee, a problem that does not date from this Saturday: “ I twisted it while training at the ranch, but I didn't fall. Munfortunately the knee is a little weak, when I jumped off the bike it gave way. It was very painful, but yesterday we started with the mobile clinic with painkillers and treatments. Ultimately I had no problems on the track, I'm quite satisfied ". Hope for Morbidely that there will not be a flag to flag race…
MotoGP France Le Mans J2: qualifying
Credit classification motogp.com
