2017 MotoGP French Grand Prix Live: As it happened.
Last Updated: 21 May 2017 - 19:52
Read our 2017 MotoGP French Grand Prix live coverage from Le Mans.
Welcome to our 2017 MotoGP French Grand Prix commentary.
The 2017 French Grand Prix took place at Le Mans on Sunday May 21, 2017. Read our MotoGP live commentary to see the coverage as it we reported it live.
Thats some roll call. All of the riders that contributed to Yamahas 500 grand prix wins listed. pic.twitter.com/DTTLo8Jf7S— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) May 21, 2017
Loris Baz (9th): “We knew before the start that th...
Loris Baz (9th): “We knew before the start that the key today was to bring the bike back to the garage. We were not able to solve the front end issues during the warm-up. But I made a good start and I tried to keep the best possible pace without making mistakes.
"I lost some time at the beginning trying to overtake Pol (Espargaro) because he was slower than me, but he was strong on the brakes and the KTM is quite good in acceleration. Once I passed him, I concentrated on keeping my pace and I was able to catch Iannone. We overtook each other several times and at the last pass, we both went wide.
"I’m happy with these seven points because we scored them on a circuit that is difficult for us. I leave this race satisfied; you can always do better, but today it was important to finish the race and score points.”
Herve Poncharal, Tech 3: "I was emotional as well as...
Herve Poncharal, Tech 3: "I was emotional as well as a bit nervous, but I’m sure that Johann was too! In the end, the race went better than anything we could have dreamed of. Johann had an unreal start, as usual, and ran an superb pace in the first six laps. He was running at the front and on his own, and that is a feeling that must be incredible for a rider.
"I must admit that we were slightly worried because we decided to use the soft front and rear tyres for both riders, and our main opponents, Factory Yamaha, used the medium compounds. We didn’t experience a high track temperature throughout the whole weekend until today, so we were going into the unknown for the second part of the GP. When Maverick passed Johann, I was a bit relieved, because I thought that our rider would follow Maverick to see where he was quicker, how the tyres compare and whether he could stay with him or let him go.
"After two-thirds of the distance was completed, things were looking good because the gap back to 4th was increasing and even though Valentino was close to Johann, the possibility of a podium was really increasing with every lap. Valentino, who was very fast in the second part of the sprint, passed Johann and our man didn’t try to challenge him as he just wanted to bring the bike home and get his maiden podium.
"As everyone knows, there was an incredible battle at the front and it was very unfortunate that Valentino crashed because it would have been a dream to have an all-Yamaha podium for their 500th Grand Prix win. Tonight we are happy because we have the celebration of the Yamaha milestone and there will be an extra nice feeling because of Johann’s podium, but I am sorry for Valentino’s outcome.
"On Jonas’ side, he recovered well but I have to admit that I am a little bit disappointed. In the second half of the fight, he was posting really solid times as he matched Johann’s pace, plus he was even a bit quicker at some points. Yet, at the beginning, he lost too much time and we have seen this in a few races already. However, the speed is there but we now have to work to find solutions for him.
"Thanks to both our riders and the whole Monster Yamaha Tech3 crew, but especially to the fans who were amazing and it will be a weekend that we will never forget."
Rossi said he braked around 1m deeper @ T8 on l.lap when he ran wide. Puzzled by crash, didnt feel he did anything different to normal.— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) May 21, 2017
Bautista (DNF): “It shouldn't be possible that for...
Bautista (DNF): “It shouldn't be possible that for three races now we can work well all weekend and then in the race... I don't know what's going on. I got a normal start, I was in the group and on the way into turn six I was a little wide.
"It is normal to be off-line on the first lap because there are so many riders together and sometimes you're side by side. But on the way into the turn I lost the front and there was nothing I could do. We are doing a good job but we need to finish it off in the race. It is proving a difficult time for us.”
Jack Miller (8th): "“I was a little fortunate toda...
Jack Miller (8th): "“I was a little fortunate today with some other riders having problems but in racing you have to be in it at the finish to get the best result and that’s what we did. Considering my physical condition I think I rode a good race despite struggling to pick the bike up on corner exit.
"I’m happy to be back in the top ten both in the race and the points but it’s only early in the season so there's still a lot of work to do. I had a good weekend going until my crash in FP4 so now I’ll go home and rest my body and get ready to come back stronger in Mugello.”
2017 MotoGP French Grand Prix Live: As it happened.
Read our 2017 MotoGP French Grand Prix live coverage from Le Mans.
Welcome to our 2017 MotoGP French Grand Prix commentary.
The 2017 French Grand Prix took place at Le Mans on Sunday May 21, 2017. Read our MotoGP live commentary to see the coverage as it we reported it live.
Loris Baz (9th): “We knew before the start that th...
Loris Baz (9th): “We knew before the start that the key today was to bring the bike back to the garage. We were not able to solve the front end issues during the warm-up. But I made a good start and I tried to keep the best possible pace without making mistakes.
"I lost some time at the beginning trying to overtake Pol (Espargaro) because he was slower than me, but he was strong on the brakes and the KTM is quite good in acceleration. Once I passed him, I concentrated on keeping my pace and I was able to catch Iannone. We overtook each other several times and at the last pass, we both went wide.
"I’m happy with these seven points because we scored them on a circuit that is difficult for us. I leave this race satisfied; you can always do better, but today it was important to finish the race and score points.”
Herve Poncharal, Tech 3: "I was emotional as well as...
Herve Poncharal, Tech 3: "I was emotional as well as a bit nervous, but I’m sure that Johann was too! In the end, the race went better than anything we could have dreamed of. Johann had an unreal start, as usual, and ran an superb pace in the first six laps. He was running at the front and on his own, and that is a feeling that must be incredible for a rider.
"I must admit that we were slightly worried because we decided to use the soft front and rear tyres for both riders, and our main opponents, Factory Yamaha, used the medium compounds. We didn’t experience a high track temperature throughout the whole weekend until today, so we were going into the unknown for the second part of the GP. When Maverick passed Johann, I was a bit relieved, because I thought that our rider would follow Maverick to see where he was quicker, how the tyres compare and whether he could stay with him or let him go.
"After two-thirds of the distance was completed, things were looking good because the gap back to 4th was increasing and even though Valentino was close to Johann, the possibility of a podium was really increasing with every lap. Valentino, who was very fast in the second part of the sprint, passed Johann and our man didn’t try to challenge him as he just wanted to bring the bike home and get his maiden podium.
"As everyone knows, there was an incredible battle at the front and it was very unfortunate that Valentino crashed because it would have been a dream to have an all-Yamaha podium for their 500th Grand Prix win. Tonight we are happy because we have the celebration of the Yamaha milestone and there will be an extra nice feeling because of Johann’s podium, but I am sorry for Valentino’s outcome.
"On Jonas’ side, he recovered well but I have to admit that I am a little bit disappointed. In the second half of the fight, he was posting really solid times as he matched Johann’s pace, plus he was even a bit quicker at some points. Yet, at the beginning, he lost too much time and we have seen this in a few races already. However, the speed is there but we now have to work to find solutions for him.
"Thanks to both our riders and the whole Monster Yamaha Tech3 crew, but especially to the fans who were amazing and it will be a weekend that we will never forget."
Bautista (DNF): “It shouldn't be possible that for...
Bautista (DNF): “It shouldn't be possible that for three races now we can work well all weekend and then in the race... I don't know what's going on. I got a normal start, I was in the group and on the way into turn six I was a little wide.
"It is normal to be off-line on the first lap because there are so many riders together and sometimes you're side by side. But on the way into the turn I lost the front and there was nothing I could do. We are doing a good job but we need to finish it off in the race. It is proving a difficult time for us.”
Jack Miller (8th): "“I was a little fortunate toda...
Jack Miller (8th): "“I was a little fortunate today with some other riders having problems but in racing you have to be in it at the finish to get the best result and that’s what we did. Considering my physical condition I think I rode a good race despite struggling to pick the bike up on corner exit.
"I’m happy to be back in the top ten both in the race and the points but it’s only early in the season so there's still a lot of work to do. I had a good weekend going until my crash in FP4 so now I’ll go home and rest my body and get ready to come back stronger in Mugello.”
Viñales: Incredible. I just gave my best. I tried t...
Viñales: Incredible. I just gave my best. I tried to push Vale. I was preparing at S3. I saw Vale make a mistake and pushed 200 percent.
Zarco: A great start. Since beginning I felt strong....
Zarco: A great start. Since beginning I felt strong. I tried to control my tyre. Viñales overtook me and to finish 2nd is just fantastic.
Pedrosa: Just getting through the first chicane was ...
Pedrosa: Just getting through the first chicane was a challenge. I was quite aggressive. I did quite good moves and I"m happy with my pace.
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