A look back at a race from the first part of the season. A painful meeting because it was marked by the death of a pilot. Luis Salom died in Catalonia during a free Moto2 session. A fatal accident which did not prevent the start of controversies over the corrective measures taken afterwards. We feared seeing the Grand Prix family tear apart. But on race Sunday, she came together.
A salutary turnaround, a salutary awareness. And whose symbol will have been the handshake between Valentino Rossi winner and Marc Márquez his dolphin. The first sign of courtesy since the open conflict in Malaysia last year. With certain collateral consequences: the loss of a title, resentment, booing, even the feeling of insecurity expressed by certain supporters, without forgetting the termination of commercial contracts.
But in Catalonia, there was this handshake. An armistice or a peace? For Marc Marquez, in any case, it’s like a blessing, and he clings to the sincerity of this moment: “ yes I believe in this sincerity » insists the current championship leader on Pecinogp.com. " The atmosphere was heavy in Montmelo. After the race, after he beat me, we made eye contact at one point and it happened spontaneously. Maybe later you'll think I'm crazy, but yes, I think it was all sincere ».
« I wish it would have happened sooner, but it happened in Catalonia » specifies the Honda official who never stopped saying during the off-season that his hand was outstretched towards the Doctor. “ Well, I'm not going to tell you that we are friends, but we at least now have professional relations and that's the minimum we need. And not just with Valentino, but with all the drivers on the starting grid ».
The past is therefore consumed and put away in the aisle of bad memories. Besides, we no longer hear whistles. “ This situation made everyone uncomfortable. Not just the two of us. The press also found things complicated. But we remain pilots. We fight on the track. Even if cordial relations are possible, on the track, it's war! »
See you at the start of the school year...
