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Zarcomania invades Le Mans!

24.05.2018

With a French rider on pole for the French MotoGP Zarcomania was at fever pitch this weekend at Le Mans.

Although Marc Márquez left his mark on the French MotoGP Grand Prix Zarcomania was at its peak at Le Mans. The Monster Yamaha Tech3 rider was in second place in the world championship ratings when he arrived in the Sarthe where he scored his first podium finish in 2017. On Saturday, he clinched pole in front of his supporters who went completely crazy! In addition, his name, Johann Zarco, has the all the hallmarks of that of a super hero!

With a French rider on pole for the French MotoGP Zarcomania was at fever pitch this weekend at Le Mans.

Reading the titles in the French press was enough: “Zarco in the limelight,” “Johann Zarco takes another step towards greatness,” “Zarco enflames the Moto Grand Prix,” etc. Zarco’s feats probably helped increase the circulation of certain newspapers and boost the attendance at the grand prix. With over 100 000 spectators on Sunday and a total of 206 617 over the three days all the records were broken. All that was needed was a victory to make the party finish in a blaze of glory, unfortunately Zarco fell on the eighth lap!

 

The French are right to take advantage of the present moment. In the past they celebrated seven motorbike world championship titles in Grand Prix racing, but none in the blue-riband category. In the 863 500 cc/MotoGP Grands Prix held to date since the first FIM Championship in 1949, only three have ended with a Frenchman on the highest step of the podium: 1954, 1985 and 1999!

 

 

 

Zarcomania invades Le Mans!

As one of the women journalists said in the post-qualifying press conference: “We’ve never seen so many people in front of your hospitality!” Of course, the double Moto2 world champion was asked about the pressure generated by this sudden stardom on many occasions. “I had a slight taste of this sensation last year, but it’s true that now there are more people who want photos and autographs. Luckily, the team that looks after the relations with the press and meetings with the fans has concocted a perfect schedule that leaves me time to relax. Everything’s under control. But I have to acknowledge that I’m living some pretty exceptional moments that you don’t experience every day in your life. It would be a real pity to see them in a negative light.”

 

So off to the press room to get an expert opinion from a well-known representative of the foreign media, so no chance of any patriotic bias! “Zarco hasn’t always been portrayed in a favourable light in the press – as is the case at the moment – but his manager, Laurent Fellon and Zarco himself have made a big effort and today he can hope to achieve great things, including next year with his future employer. And he can still improve by being less impatient, as we saw today.”

 

 

 

 

 

Zarcomania invades Le Mans!

What do the fans think of him? “I really like him and not just because he’s French; he’s a very good rider and also a very human type of guy,” said a young man we ran into during the meeting with the public on Friday evening. Pauline had just had a photo dedicated in the Motul reception venue when we put the mike in front of her: “He’s really great; he comes across really well and he makes you want to take an interest in his sport. Compared to other champions he’s also perhaps a more open, more straightforward kind of bloke.” Now all he has to do is win the next grand prix!

 

 

 

 

Zarcomania invades Le Mans!

Motul was the official lubricant partner of the MotoGP French Grand Prix and technically supports Monster Yamaha Tech3 and Suzuki Racing in the premier class of Grand Prix Motorcycle racing.