After Emilie and her partner in 2016 in Austria (see here), Hélène and Guilain had the chance to win our Competition and experience a dream weekend in Misano, completely immersed within the Tech3 family.
To thank all those who welcomed them with patience and kindness during this Italian round, they wrote this report and shared these fifty photos which we are publishing with pleasure.
We obviously greatly thank Hervé Poncharal and the entire Tech3 team who make this possible at least once a season, as well as Hélène and Guilain who, through their respect and wonder, were able to attract the sympathy of the entire French clan. from the paddock…
For motorcycle GP enthusiasts, experiencing a weekend on a circuit to the rhythm of testing and racing is always a very special event... We had already experienced it several times at Le Mans, but without ever visiting the paddock and meet the mechanics, journalists, equipment manufacturers, drivers and all the people who work so that we, spectators, can live our passion for racing.
So, when we received an email from Marc from Paddock-GP informing us that we were going to have this chance, no hesitation! Imagine: 4 days in Misano, legendary circuit on the land of “Master” Valentino Rossi… and above all in “VIP TECH 3” mode! For us, it was “something crazy”, and yet we had not yet fully grasped the full scope of this magnificent gift.
When we arrived in Misano on Thursday lunchtime, it was a cold shower… in the literal sense of the word! Despite the showers, we took the time to visit: from the impressive trucks of the GP teams to the more modest tents of the Moto3 teams, from the Michelin stand to the equipment manufacturers' workshops, we sampled the atmosphere of the place and made a few furtive encounters, with example Lorenzo, Dovisioso, or even Crutchlow. After this first walk, we found Marc from Paddock GP in front of the hospitality of Tech3 to be “officially” presented to the whole team.
Anyone who has never entered the paddock can hardly imagine these impressive hospitality, some of them are immense! It's hard to believe that they can be assembled and dismantled in less than 3 days... Tech3's is a cozy place, tastefully decorated, warm and welcoming. The manager Anna and her team immediately took care of us and we sincerely want to thank them from the bottom of our hearts for the excellent times we spent there!
During our first visit this Thursday, with a beer in hand, we meet Laurent Fellon, Johann Zarco, Mathilde and Hervé Poncharal. The welcome is of an enthusiasm and simplicity which immediately puts us at ease. Mathilde encourages us to share all our requests and questions with her and we are already making an appointment for a visit to the GP box at the start of the evening.
We then go on a walk with Marc. A regular at the paddocks for many years, he seems to know everyone! He will introduce us to the very friendly Mika, a Shoei equipment manufacturer who prepares his pilots' helmets in his truck. This is an opportunity for us to learn lots of things about designing and creating a personal painting. Then head to the GP team box where Johann and Jonas' bikes have just been prepared for the next day's tests.
Amazed, we discovered with our own eyes the organization of the box, the equipment used by the mechanics and saw the motorcycles up close for the first time. It is also an opportunity for us to meet Mr Guy Coulon and to have our first conversation on mechanics. For example, we learn with surprise that the M1s of Johann and Jonas take
This fascinating conversation continues at the hospitality where we will have our meal with Guy. Between two juicy news stories about paddock life and the riders, a bottle of iced Limoncello came out and here we are, simple moto GP “tourists” toasting with a good part of the Tech3 team in an atmosphere of frank camaraderie. Let's face it: we weren't the freshest when we left the paddock that evening!!!
The next day, Friday, the day of the first tests, the weather had improved and we traveled the circuit to select the best place to watch the drivers progress. We are watching from the stands the first laps of Johann and Jonas, who, unlike the factory drivers, were not able to test this circuit in 2017. The atmosphere is therefore at work to make up for the delay, as we will see. afternoon during FP2: we are indeed invited to experience it from the Tech3 box! We make ourselves as small as possible so as not to disturb the team at work and the drivers who are concentrating... it's an unforgettable moment: seeing with your own eyes the ballet of the mechanics, each one accustomed to their task and focused on their role. inevitably evolve one’s understanding of this delicate profession. The relationship between riders and team is also very interesting: despite a visible frustration at not being able to get the best out of their bike, there is no anger in Johann like Jonas, but the desire to transmit their feelings as best as possible in order to develop the results in the right direction. A real lesson in cooperation and mutual respect!
This FP2 session is also an opportunity for us to meet Vanessa Guerra, commentator on Eurosport, and to exchange a few words with her. What can I say except that she is absolutely adorable!?! Like most of the people we met during this weekend, she is keen to share her knowledge and explain her job with simplicity and authenticity.
We leave the box with regret, but we still have plenty of good surprises for this Friday, including a meeting with Jules Danilo, a talented and really friendly Moto3 rider. Did you know that he designs his own helmets? The evening will also be full of surprises: we have the pleasure of dining in the company of Hervé Poncharal himself! He tells us about his meeting with Guy at Honda, the start of the Tech3 adventure and his role as president of IRTA. Big surprise for us: he's a T-Max fan (just like Valentino Rossi)! This is the occasion for a lively debate on the definition of a (real) motorcycle… (but promise Hervé, one day, we will try this T-max!!! And if that happens, we will even change opinion!)
On Saturday, the sun set in for the whole day and we happily took advantage of its presence during the moto3 and moto GP tests in the morning. We will experience FP3 Moto2 in the box with the mechanics of the Virgin and Gardner riders, and we will also attend the cleaning and repair operations of the motorcycles at the end of the session. Impressive !
That lunchtime, the pit lane is open to visitors and we stroll with many others in front of the GP motorcycles on display. Then the hospitality meal will be an opportunity for us to meet the team's merchandising manager who is preparing a wonderful surprise for us: T-Shirts, polo shirts and Tech3 caps are graciously offered to us by him! Many thanks again!!
After a good meal, we leave early to settle on the circuit and watch the FP4 and MotoGP qualifying. The Tech3 drivers have really progressed and we are enjoying following their performances and encouraging them. We will also be able to express our admiration to them a little later in the afternoon during a signing session organized at Tech3 hospitality, while they sign our magnificent brand new caps for us!
At the end of the afternoon, we meet, again thanks to Marc from Paddock-GP, Gigi and Aldo the Shark equipment manufacturers. It is then the start of an incredible marathon throughout the paddock accompanied by Aldo who will introduce us to a multitude of French-speaking workers. For example, we will visit the KTM GP team box, visit the CIP Moto3 run by Alain Bronec; we stop by to say hello to Gilles Bigot and Tom Luthi (Interwetten Moto2 team) and finally finish at Furygan where we chat with the equipment manufacturer Laurent about his work... and the difficulty of managing a sufficient stock of leathers with certain riders!
Now it’s time for Aldo to join his colleagues for a “helmet equipment meeting” at Mika de Shoei… but instead of saying goodbye, he takes us there!!! It's another incredible moment: we arrive in the free space in front of the Shoei truck, a small table covered with beers, chips and sausage is set up in the middle of around fifteen guests. We mingle with the people present, the only “tourists” at this aperitif which includes, among others, Fabio Quartararo, Loris Baz and Tom Luthi. Excuse me a little...
Then the evening will end as always with an excellent meal in Tech3 hospitality, followed by a demonstration of the dexterity of Fred (warehouseman who manages parts stocks), very impressive at the wheel of his small drone as well as on the handlebars of his DeWalt bicycle drill.
On Sunday, the atmosphere is different... this race day is marked by the omnipresent rain. The disappointment is palpable in the team: the races will be both less impressive and more risky.
We follow the Warm ups of the different categories thanks to the numerous televisions installed in the Tech 3 hospitality. Others have also taken refuge in the dry, including Johann's brother and sister; we get to know them over a good hot drink. Together, we will decide to try an outing to see the Moto2 race from the hills of the circuit, but the raincoat and good shoes are essential!
It's even more impressive to see the motorbikes driving under this continuous downpour with your own eyes, because the tension is palpable. We even come to wish that this race would finally end, to avoid further falls! The Mistral drivers had their share of slips, and despite good positions at the start of the race, the Tech3 teams finished far from the leaders. Fans of Tom Luthi, we hold on in the rain until the end of the suspense to encourage the Swiss driver who finishes second.
Return to hospitality for a good hot meal, we will follow the MotoGP race in a good dry place. The mechanics of the Moto2 teams have joined us and we are benefiting from their expert comments. Alas, the race will have the end we know: a few turns from the finish, Johann runs out of fuel. For us who don't have sound, we first think of a fall by not seeing his name registered at the finish. Then images of Johann pushing his motorbike appear on the screen… In hospitality, it’s desolation!! But very quickly everyone pulls themselves together, and a huge clamor of encouragement rises from all sides and follows him until he finally crosses the finish line.
When Johann arrives at the reception some 20 minutes later for the traditional interviews, he is greeted by loud applause from the entire assembly who salute his courage and tenacity. His speech in front of the cameras is magnificent and for those who think that this is a facade, I assure you that it is not. This boy has a truly extraordinary ability to put hard knocks into perspective and see the positive in each event. I will not forget the look full of pride and tenderness of his sister during the round table with the journalists, and I think that everyone, from the Tech3 team and the guests present that day, were impressed and proud of this exceptional pilot.
It's then Jonas's turn to complete the traditional ballet of questions and answers, and then... it's already time to pack up! The members of the different teams return to their workplace to prepare for departure the next day. For our part, we make a final tour of the paddock to thank and say goodbye to all those who welcomed us so warmly during this weekend in Misano.
The visit to Johann's team's box is a difficult moment, the disappointment is immense and the regrets bitter. Having discussed fuel consumption with Guy earlier in the weekend, we know that the team has little to be ashamed of because the consumption calculations are the responsibility of Yamaha engineers. But the team spirit is there and the mistakes of some impact everyone. We leave them with regret and the feeling that life is really bad: they who gave us a fabulous and unforgettable weekend probably experienced the most difficult race of their season!
Our last salute is for Marc de Paddock-GP, whom we will never be able to thank for the gift he gave us. Marc, a huge thank you!! Thanks to you, we discovered behind the scenes and realized to what extent the simplicity, passion and authenticity of MotoGP players are real. One thing really struck us: at each stage of this journey, with each new person we met, there was always the same benevolence, availability and incredible kindness from everyone to present their work to us, answer our questions and make us share as intensely as possible their passion for motorcycles.
So a big thank you to all of you: Hervé, Mathilde, Guy, Marc, GG, Johann, Jonas, Anna, Rihivelina, Manu, Enzo, Maxime, Antoine, Adri, Eric, Fred, Mika, Gigi, Aldo, Laurent… and all others ! We wish you an excellent end to the season, and we look forward to meeting you soon on a circuit!
