MotoGP, Portugal J1, Franco Morbidelli (Ducati/15): "experiencing a typical MotoGP crash and coming out unscathed, it shows that falling is an integral part of our job"

Franco Morbidelli was forced to miss all of pre-season testing in February after a serious crash during practice on a production bike at the Algarve circuit left him with a concussion. On Friday at the Portuguese GP, Morbidelli crashed entering Turn 8 when he braked on the white line, but escaped unscathed. How did he deal with this new accident at Portimao?

Franco Morbidelli approached his accident this Friday at Portimao with a positive outlook, considering it a typical racing incident after a difficult winter marked by a serious fall on the same track. Speaking to the press, he explained the circumstances of this fall in his Bow Ducati :

« I was a little wide in turn 7 and when braking on the white line in turn 8 I found a dirty surface. This is not normally where we brake. So I lost the front, it was clearly a mistake on my part. But experiencing a typical MotoGP crash and coming out unscathed shows that falling is an integral part of our job. »

**Franco Morbidelli: “ I was in the mix for Q2, it’s a result that is both surprising and encouraging »**

Although the accident relegated Morbidely in 15th place, keeping him away from a direct qualification in Q2, he felt close to the top 10, only three tenths from the healthy zone. This performance, especially considering his gap compared to the round in Qatar, was a pleasant surprise for the Italian.

« I'm happy with my level, especially with the racing tires. Unfortunately, I made a mistake on my second attempt at a fast lap, partly due to a lack of experience with this bike. It was actually my first real flying lap of the year, because in Qatar it was just about testing the soft tires he said.

« On Friday I really felt like I could make it to Q2, and I was in the mix all day. This is therefore a result that is both surprising and encouraging. I was hoping to be better than in Qatar, but I didn't imagine how positive it would be. We now have to continue working, especially on our fast laps » ends the Italian-Brazilian.