MotoGP Thailand, Régis Laconi's point of view: “Fabio adapted to this Yamaha at 5 per hour and obtained great results”

An exceptional Grand Prix, exceptional Régis point of view format. While Marc Márquez won his eighth world title and Fabio Quartararo came close to his first MotoGP victory, Laconi took a step back to analyze these events.

Régis, great champions have had extraordinary careers like Giacomo Agostini, Valentino Rossi and others. But Marc Márquez's current career is very different from those of his predecessors.

“The bikes are different, but so are many other things in high-level motorcycle racing, like the preparation. All areas have become enormously professional, and, for me, Marc Márquez in these parts has exactly what it takes to have a very successful career. It is certain that he is already at the top, but he will leave a different mark in the MotoGP World Championship. It is magnificent to see a young man like him doing such exceptional things with passion, with pleasure, and I would even say with a little madness. »

“When I saw him do a burnout after the Buriram race before going to the parc ferme of the top three, I thought it was wonderful because that's exactly what I would have done! I found it pleasant, giant and fiery. Not only did he have the joy of winning the race, but also the joy of winning the world title. He is sure of Marc Márquez is one of the great champions in the history of motorcycling, there is no doubt about it. »

Many people have now become more and more important around drivers, such as managers, coaches, electronics engineers, physical trainers, etc.

“Many things have evolved. We are in an era of professionalism where pilots can no longer do it alone. I had a fitness trainer so I wasn't alone, but I didn't need anyone to go and train every day to get the best possible results in the next race. »

“We see today with Márquez, but also with the other drivers, that there is a need for a whole team, that is to say the coach, the sports trainer, the nutritional advisor and the specialist in communication because everything is more important than before. We need all these people now to have great careers. We see that two careers like those of Marc Márquez and Valentino Rossi – even though they still run together – are completely different. »

Why in general is Marc Márquez superior to other drivers?

“Everyone is gifted, and he is gifted. Perhaps he also works more than the others? So it was he who launched dirt track training, or more precisely who brought it up to date because the Americans used it in the 70s in GP 500.”

“And I'll take a concrete example: During the last GP in Buriram, in the last corner he had a little dribble from the front just before putting the gas back on. As soon as the front brake was released, just before taking the throttle again, he always had a little dribble. For a moment, he understood that by moving away from the rope and no longer being flush with the white stripe, but 20 or 30 cm from the rope, he had less. »

“It’s great to be able to do that when he was at the limit – because he was at the limit throughout the race – he manages to modify things to take as little risk as possible and while being efficient at the limit. This is where, for me, he is very strong. He manages to analyze during the race, and that’s also why I think he’s super gifted,”

Fabio Quartararo started an extraordinary career in Spain in CEV, then struggled a little more in GP Moto3 and Moto2, then suddenly he moved to MotoGP where suddenly he rose to the top. How do you explain that he adapted so well to the MotoGP category where he is now fighting with Márquez?

“The reason is very difficult to explain. Above all, it was his speed of adaptation that was impressive. The importance of the Yamaha and the team is very great. The rider, the bike and the team are three elements that must work together to achieve a good performance. Gold Fabio plus the Yamaha plus his team, it's currently quite simply perfection. »

“What he has done so far in MotoGP is grandiose, even if he has not yet won in this category. Fabio was in my opinion once again the fastest. Yamaha has also understood this well since it now has the engine which takes 500 more revolutions, that is to say it has the most efficient engine available from Yamaha. So it's very good because it proves that Yamaha knows that he is very great despite his young age. »

“Fabio adapted to this Yamaha at 5 per hour and got great results. In Buriram, he took another incredible step forward. For me, in this race there were only two drivers! »

When Fabio wins his first Grand Prix in MotoGP, will you feel a little sad because you will no longer be the last French winner to date? Or will you feel more happy that a Frenchman wins?

“I won't be sad, but it will bother me. I remain a competitor, a pilot, a winner, a warrior. You shouldn't make me compete now otherwise I would be ready to die. So it will bother me, but I will be very proudly and very clearly happy for Fabio because he already more than deserves it today. »

“It will give me great pleasure for French motorcycling and I hope that it will move this magnificent sport forward. I would like that on this occasion, motorcycle sport will become even more important and that we will have more riders at its level. »