MotoGP: standing tall in the rain
a group of people riding on the back of a motorcycle: Petronas Yamaha SRT's Fabio Quartararo in action at the French Grand Prix on Sunday.
It was not the result he was looking for, but Fabio Quartararo was nonetheless pleased to finish his home GP upright and still in contention for the title chase.
The Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (SRT) rider had a conservative wet race at the French Motorcycle Grand Prix, crossing the ninth line to increase his lead in MotoGP qualifying.
Quartararo, who before Sunday had never raced in wet conditions since moving up to the premier class last year, said the ninth was the best he could handle under the circumstances.
His teammate Franco Morbidelli crashed on lap 19 before retiring due to mechanical problems.
"We were all on the grid about to start the race before it started to rain, which was disappointing," said Quartararo, who started from pole.
"We knew that the dry conditions would have been better for us. It was a tough race, but I'm happy that we never stopped fighting.
"On the last lap, when Joan Mir passed me, I was able to pass him directly.
"It was important to score as many points as possible.
"We have obtained some important data from this race in the wet and we will use it to see how we can be faster when it rains in future races.
"This will be important as we approach the end of the year, and I hope there will be more races in the wet."
Quartararo now has 115 points, 10 more than Mir (Suzuki Ecstar), second classified, while Andrea Dovizioso of Ducati is third with 97.
Quartararo held an eight point lead over Mir heading into Le Mans. Mir had crossed line 11 on Sunday.
Morbidelli is sixth in the standings with 77 points.
SRT team principal Datuk Razlan Razali said Quartararo was right to set back the pace.
"That (weather) was unexpected and it was more about damage control for Quartararo," Razlan said.
"He continues to lead the championship and has even increased his lead to ten points. It was the best we could do in difficult conditions.
"When that's the case, I think the best thing cyclists can do is stay on the bike and do the best they can."
Danilo Petrucci claimed Ducati's first Le Mans victory on Sunday with Alex Márquez (Repsol Honda) and Pol Espargaró (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) in second and third places.
The world championships will return to Spain for the Aragon Motorcycle Grand Prix this weekend.
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