Allez les Bleus! Quartararo and Zarco hoping for more French success

Was the Indonesian MotoGP a sign of things to come after French riders Fabio Quartararo and Johann Zarco finished on the podium for the first time in 2022? 

Both riders produced incredible performances in what were nothing short of treacherous conditions, while also having late race pace good enough to challenge eventual race winner Miguel Oliveira. 

However, after struggling to make their way through on factory Ducati rider Jack Miller, more so in the case of Zarco who spent several laps tucked up behind the Australian, both men ran out of laps to challenge for victory due to an originally 27-lap race being reduced to 20 because of fears over track conditions. 

The pair’s double podium was a repeat of round two of the 2021 season at Lusail, which sparked an interesting response when asked if this could be a sign of things to come.

Stepping up first, the former two-time Moto2 world champion jokingly said: "I think if it happens he [Quartararo] will be world champion again." 

A more serious Zarco then concluded: "I think we are in the second race of the year, but to be third and fifth in the championship is good for our country. 

"It confirms that we can be there for the whole season if we do everything well. 

"For my side, I had a good season last year, not as good as Fabio, but I’m trying to work even better from the practices to get my level stronger in the race."

Although Zarco and Quartararo only shared the podium once more after their 2021 Qatar success - finished second and third at Le Mans, chances are both riders could top that in 2022, not only because of the increased number of races, but the current form of both riders. 

Quartararo responded by saying he 'hopes' for more French success, especially since Spain and Italy have close to Football-like participation numbers, therefore making the achievement all the more impressive. 

"I hope it’s a great season for both of us. Last year the first half of the season was great to have two French - two French out of two in the world championship - we don’t have a Football team like Spain and Italy in the MotoGP," said Quartararo. 

"It was great to have two French riders in the top two positions."