Monster Yamaha’s Johann Zarco celebrated his first MotoGP podium at Le Mans in front of his public and a record crowd of more than 100,000 that had eyes only for their local idol and Valentino Rossi.

Since his move to the blue riband class, Zarco has been a revelation and is no respector of reputation. So, lover or fighter, gentleman or warrior? “First of all I’m a sweet person. I favour the soft approach with the women, as well as with the tyres.

“The soft gave me confidence, so I had no doubt to use it also for the race,” commented the French rider. “The temperatures were also OK in the afternoon so everything worked well. It was not a hazard for me.”

A step at the time, since the debut in MotoGP, Zarco has been riding a wave. After his MotoGP debut race in Qatar where he led for six laps before crashing, he then finished fifth in Argentina. He repeated the same result in Texas, after a hard pass on Valentino Rossi and he was fourth in Jerez, taking also the satisfaction to make a pass on Marc Marquez in a duel. The next step everyone expected was the podium, and the result arrived in his home GP this afternoon: 

How important was the support of the French spectators? Was it an extra boost or meant more pressure?
“I was nervous but quiet. I really enjoyed the race. I heard an incredible support from the public. It was fantasic. I’m really proud to have achieved this result in front of my people. I’d like to tell them, please keep pushing, because I want to continue like this and make more steps forward.”  

You have done a great start and imposed a strong rhythm starting from the front row, what was your strategy?
“I felt comfortable with the bike and I pushed since the beginning because I had a good feeling. When Maverick passed me, I saw he was faster than me so I remained behind. When Valentino passed me in the final part of the race, he was faster but he also has something more than me in terms of pace. When I saw the duel in front, I thought immediately that something could happen. I thought, ‘Maybe I gain one more position. And so it was’.”

What has changed compared to the previous rounds where you seemed to suffer in the second part of the race?
“My weak point was acceleration and also some spinning but the work we did at Jerez on Monday after the race was important. It was a good day because we could focus on the set up and so some changes. In the end I felt more control with the tyres after 15-20 laps.  I took the start of this race weekend with a lot of confidence.”

Are you the revelation of the 2017 season?   
“I can be the revelation, but a step at the time. After having conquered my two Moto2 titles, I want to be good also in MotoGP. I aimed at a podium finish, but this is the start.”

Did you feel a bit underestimated?
“When Tito Rabat switched to MotoGP after having dominated in Moto2 and didn’t get good results, I think the whole Moto2 category was a bit underestimated. Moto2 is a very competitive class. The results that myself, Rins or Folger are doing this year are proving it and people start to reconsider this idea. I think that also Morbidelli will do well in the premiere class.”

You were wearing a special helmet in the France GP. To whom is it dedicated?
“The design of my helmet shows me and my trainer Laurent Felon. He has always been with me. I started my adventure with the bikes with him so, when I’m battling on track, he is also with me on the bike, we are together.”

Laurent Felon is a former paratrooper, what have you learned from him?
“Laurent knows the motorbikes well and has a so much passion. When he goes to watch me on track, he always give me good advices.  He has always wanted the best for me. He has a lot of energy and I followed this energy. I learned a method from him, made of hard work, discipline and patience.  

“So I became a warrior, but with patience, without rushing things. A step at a time. When I am on track I was try to be calm and clever. I’m focused when I’m riding to repeat what I do well or avoid what I didn’t do well. When I am at home, I train a lot, also boxing, which is good for the heart but also to be aggressive, but I also see the physiotherapist to relax properly.”

Warrior or gentleman?
“I am a cool guy, a relaxed person at home, but when I put my helmet on, I’m completely focused on one target, the same as all the riders on the MotoGP grid.”