Franco Morbidelli did not have a happy French Grand Prix. His last performance in Jerez, punctuated by a podium, seemed to have been experienced light years ago, as if fate had decided to attack the Italian-Brazilian. So, not only did he have to face conditions that he heartily admits to hating, but also the events tormented a weakened knee since a training accident at the ranch. To the point that the question now arises of a delicate operation that the Petronas Yamaha rider does not want to hear about…
It wasn't a lucky Sunday for Franco Morbidelli, who saw his race end too soon. Before the weather changed the plot of the race, number 21 suffered a fall with a particular dynamic, which also partly involved Pol Espargaro. But Franco does not really accuse his executioner in the colors of Honda: “ Pol came back online very suddenly » explains the 2020 world vice-champion.
« But we cannot say that he made a mistake or a dangerous maneuver. Admittedly, his movement caught me off guard: I thought he would make the next turn slower than usual, so I tried to go inside to pass, but that wasn't the case. He immediately tried to attack Vale, which I didn't expect, so I hit him in the back and ended up off the track, unable to control the bike. Overall, therefore, I think that responsibilities must be shared, these are things that can happen ».
After the crash, Morbidely managed to return to his box to continue with his second motorcycle. But it was said that he would be cursed in this Sunday on the Bugatti : " I returned to the track with the aim of finishing the race and perhaps collecting points, knowing that in these wet conditions there could have been crashes. But that wasn't enough to put me in the points. It's a shame, but now there's no point in complaining ».
Morbidelli: “for the moment, the operation is out of the question”
The crash quickly brought back the problem with the left knee de Morbidely which, as the pilot confessed Petronas itself, would require an operation: “ the pain was strong in the fall, but for a short time, so as soon as I fell. Then I just thought about going back to the pits quickly. For the moment, the operation is out of the question, although it would be useful. But injuries of this type can also be resolved with a simple muscular work, so I hope to take this route. If I wanted to eliminate the root problem, I would have to operate, but I don't like the idea at all ».
Ultimately, Morbidely try to smile, trying to analyze the positive sides of the weekend and keeping motivation high. “ From this weekend, I can record the improvement made in the wet and my good speed in the dry. Despite this difficult start to the season, my approach does not change, I want to continue to give the best of myself as I have always done ».
MotoGP France Le Mans J3: classification
Credit classification motogp.com
