Moto2 Brno: Exclusive interview with Franco Morbidelli

Moto2 Brno 2017 – In Brno we exclusively interviewed Franco Morbidelli, rider of the Estrella Galicia Marc VDS Team and VR46 Riders Academy rider. With the leader of the Moto2 world championship we discussed various topics, from Moto2 to MotoGP, the comparison with Rossi, also talking about minibikes.

If I had to give you a grade for this first part of the season, what grade would it be?

“It was a fantastic first part, I would give myself a 9, we won a lot of races, I made a mistake but we took points even in difficult moments.”

Are you already thinking about the world championship?

“It's still too early, we need to work and see how it goes.”

Next year you will be in MotoGP. Who will be your team-mate and what bike will you race?

“I don't know who my teammate will be or what bike I will race with. I just know that I will stay in this Team (which is now with Honda, but which also deals with Aprilia, ed.).”

You will be the first VR46 rider to face Rossi in the MotoGP class

“It will be different to face him in a “real” world championship race and not at the Ranch, it will certainly be exciting and different. I'm happy to be the first Academy rider to arrive in MotoGP. This shows that in just 4 years an excellent job has been done and thanks to them I have managed to get to where I am now and where I will be next year. I take this opportunity to thank them.”

Do you have a favorite track between now and the end of the season?

“It's difficult, I like all the world championship tracks, we need to see if they like me! There are circuits that I really like but where I'm not fast. In this second part of the championship, for example in Brno, I always struggled."

Who do you think are the Italian riders of the future in Moto2?

“Definitely Bagnaia, who is having an excellent championship already as a rookie and who will be able to challenge for the title next year. With him Luca Marini and Lorenzo Baldassarri, who are now in the top positions. There are many Italians who can do well.”

You are one of the few riders who hasn't raced in Moto3, you "switched" to the Stocks.

“It's something different and particular, but it still allowed me to get here. It shows that even in the other championship there are excellent riders and training categories that can help riders grow and aspire from MotoGP.”

Do you ride your motorcycle on the street?

“I don't have a license, so I don't drive on the street. I'm a little afraid of the road, it will certainly be nice to take the steps and the roads with all the curves, but at the moment I'm only going on the track.”

MotoGP hotly contested championship…

“It's a great world championship, everyone is there, it's an incredible championship. It's a championship in which certain manufacturers do well in certain races and less so in others, so there are many ups and downs. Achieving consistent performance is very difficult, tires not tyres, bike not bike, grip not grip, it's interesting. As a spectator it is interesting and compelling.”

Have you ever tried MotoGP?

“I've never tried it, I'm completely focused on Moto2.”

The final round of the 2017 Minimoto European Championship took place in Franciacorta and there were over 60 participants.

“I didn't know, it's nice to know that there are so many members. Minibikes were a sport that was declining with the arrival of MiniGPs. In my opinion, minibikes teach you a lot about fighting, a discipline that teaches you how to strategize. It's beautiful, everyone has to give it their all.”