MotoGP Exclusive interview with Claude Michy (French GP) “We are going to organize training camps for a certain number of riders”

Since 1994, Claude has taken over the organization of the French Grand Prix, with his company PHA and his associates, including his children Philibert and Victoria. On a sporting level, John Kocinski on July 17, 94 achieved the feat of finishing second on his Cagiva, ahead of all the Japanese factory motorcycles, preceded only by Mick Doohan. Jean-Michel Bayle was the best Frenchman, finishing 5th in 250. After celebrating his quarter century this year, what is the 2019 French GP (tickets for which are open) looking like for Michy and his troops?

The passion for motorcycle racing is not the same in France as in Italy or Spain, but yet you obtained the best score of all the Grands Prix this year by welcoming 105 spectators to Le Mans on Sunday. What is the reason ?

“I think that the passion for motorcycles exists in France. You shouldn't have any complexes. On the other hand, the French Grand Prix has tried to set up, for many years, for all spectators, a weekend to be able to fully enjoy the passion for motorcycling and a real life on the site with numerous activities, from the Mechanical Show to the Fan Zone including the distribution of music players for the public, and perhaps also our method of marketing since a ticket holder does not have to pay any extra anywhere because everything is included.

“The spectacle that the drivers produce in all categories is quite fantastic, isn't it? It is the result of work spanning many years. »

There are few French riders present in the World Championships, with 2 in MotoGP, 0 in Moto2, Moto3 and Superbike, and a few in Supersport. Do you think this is a trend that is set to become widespread, or a temporary trough?

“This is a temporary low point and I'm almost going to give you a scoop: we are working with the French Motorcycle Federation to organize training camps for a certain number of drivers. This will be done with coaches under the aegis of the French Motorcycle Federation. Three young drivers have qualified for the Red Bull Rookies Cup this year, while others are taking part in theEuropean Talent Cup in Spain (as part of the CEV).

“The first problem to resolve is financial, because training on a motorcycle costs more than in athletics. We must therefore find ways to allow pilots to train, as the young Italian and Spanish hopefuls do. They have to ride a lot, and not arrive for the first test session of the weekend at the races in which they participate.

“This work will be mastered by the Federation with funding from partners of the Motorcycle Grand Prix and the Federation itself. So we are working on this subject. We are currently defining the framework because we have to work, there is no secret. I had the chance, speaking with the President of the Federation Jacques Bolle and Philippe Thiebaut the DTN, to be able to launch a real project with them. »

Electric motorcycles are making their debut this year in Grand Prix. Do you see them playing a complementary role in the future – like currently – or do you think they could one day become the premier category?

“We will see in the future, because it takes time. The spectator's resentment also depends on the noise, but today for electric vehicles, there is an absence of noise. It's a real basic subject, but that doesn't mean that electric motorcycles in the future won't be able to make noise.

“What Dorna has put in place seems quite interesting, that is to say the commitment of a certain number of experienced teams with known and renowned drivers, even from different generations as when we see Gibernau that comes back. There will be three French people, so I think we have to look at it in a positive way, and then see how it will go.

“On the Andros Trophy, for example, electric technology arrived a long time ago. This year for the first time four-wheel drive vehicles were entered, and during the first event at Val Thorens the winner was Aurélien Panis with an electric Plastic'up ahead of Olivier Pernaut and Franck Lagorce with cars with thermal engines.

“Afterwards it depends on regulations and progress in electricity. At the moment the races last 15 to 20 minutes and we will have to see how things develop in the future. »

Motorcycle Grands Prix are growing rapidly in Asia, with more and more local teams and riders in the World Championship. Is this an advantage or a disadvantage for the French Grand Prix?

“It is not linked to the French Grand Prix. We are in the context of globalization, certain countries are becoming places of economic development and use of two-wheelers, which is normal if we take for example Thailand which has had enormous success. This is a plus for motorcycling. »

What is the trend for the 2019 French GP?

“The trend is that since November 15 we no longer have grandstand seats for sale, even though there are 20 grandstand seats reserved. Normally, we should announce at the beginning of January that we have found a very nice spot to be able to build an additional stand with 000 seats. It would be located in the space which is located at the braking of the blue Esses and in the blue Esses themselves. »

What will change when TV broadcasts of Grands Prix are broadcast from Eurosport to Canal Plus?

“I think we'll have to wait and see. Eurosport has done a very good job for many, many years. We must salute what has been achieved by Eurosport, its journalists, its consultants, and we must not have a short memory.

“There is a great challenge for Canal Plus. This discipline is very well exposed throughout the world. Canal is in a very favorable period for motor sports with F1 and the WRC (World Rally Championship). Motorcycle GPs are certainly a plus for Canal in its motorsport platform.

“Personally I think that in the next two years, if motorcycling is treated like F1, the motorcycling audiences will be higher than those of F1. »

 

 

Video: Start of the 2018 French GP with on-board cameras

Video: Scramble in Jerez between Lorenzo, Pedrosa and Dovizioso

Photos © PHA / French Motorcycle Grand Prix

Videos © motogp.com / Dorna