Supersport 300, Exclusive interview with Andy Verdoïa (2nd at Donington): “I overtook 21 drivers in 4 turns”

When he started 37th on the grid (due to a prior tire pressure error), we could only pity Andy Verdoïa whose chances were reduced to zero. When he moved to 11th after the first lap, the commentator thought like everyone else that “the timekeepers were going to correct the mistake”. When Andy moved to third on the fourth lap, we imagined we were on another planet. In the sixth round, Verdoïa was first. There was no longer any doubt: We were in another world!

Second youngest in the field of 54 permanent pilots, aged 16 and born on October 30, 2002 (in Nice, as “ The Devil "), Andy Verdoïa amazed everyone at Donington last Sunday, despite already known intrinsic qualities. In his first year, he finished fifth in his first race in Aragon, then fifth in Jerez and third in Misano, before this incredible second place in Donington.

You started 37th on the grid and completed the first lap in 11th position. How did this first round go?

“I got off to a pretty good start and then, coming into the first corner, rather than going to the inside like everyone else did, I went straight to the outside. I was able to gain a lot of positions already in the first corner.”

“Then I continued my momentum and with the momentum on the descent I only had to overtake several riders and when I arrived at the third corner, I had already gained 17 positions.”  

“In the fourth corner, still on the outside, I gained another four positions. I overtook 21 drivers in 4 turns. And it continued like that for most of the lap. It felt like I was zigzagging between drivers trying to get through. I arrived at a greater speed than theirs, much higher. Arriving at the heavy braking of the first lap, I overtook three more drivers at once.”

Under heavy braking, you mean in the hairpin at the end?

“Yes, in the hairpin located after the chicane. Then after in the last corner, I overtook another driver. I had moved up 26 positions. »

You didn't come far from victory by finishing second, 0.239 behind Sabatucci. Did your climb exhaust you or your tires?

“It was especially mentally difficult. It annoys ! It's not a pressure but it's sure that it's annoying and that it still makes you lose a little of your energy. You have to get over it. So, in the end, the irritation is exhausting.”

You mean it requires a lot of concentration?

“That's it and suddenly I gave a lot of strength in the first laps and mentally I was exhausted”.

“And what's more, in the last lap I was so exhausted that I didn't realize it was the last lap. For me, there was still one left.”

You now find yourself second in the Championship behind Manuel Gonzalez which has 108 points, but tied with Ana Carrasco (Reigning World Champion) and Scott Deroue with 65 points. In this group, you are the only rookie, Gonzalez having a full season behind him, Carrasco and Deroue two seasons. How do you see the three remaining races in Portimao, Magny-Cours and Losail?

“I think at the moment I'm on a good run, with two podiums in the last two races. It reassures mentally, it helps. It's not necessarily progress, but in the head, making two consecutive podiums feels good. It helps for the future.”

“I will do everything to try to get on the podium in the last three races to collect as many points as possible.”

What are your plans for next year?

“For me, it's a little complicated to say, because it's clear that this year I wanted to win the Championship. It's not over, but it's much more complicated because there are only three races left. If I had had the title, I would have moved up to 600 next year. I always have the possibility of moving up to 600, but I will think first: Either repeat another year in 300, or move up to 600.”

What memories do you have of your stay in Tavullia with Valentino Rossi, as part of the program Yamaha VR 46 Master Camp?

“What I liked the most was when we went to the Ranch. It's my biggest memory. The Ranch is still legendary. The VR46 did a race there and seeing Valentino Rossi ride at the Ranch was quite something.”

“Rossi spoke to us a little, he was in the middle of training. He had to go to Mugello. He chatted with us a little, asked us how things were going, where we were in the championships. He was nice.”

Photos © Yamaha Racing, worldsbk.com, bLU cRU Yamaha