To be FRANCO

I owe one of the more embarrassing moments of the three decades I’ve spent chasing MotoGP riders around the world to Franco Morbidelli. It was all my fault, obviously, but the way he dealt with my idiocy showed the mark of the man.

This happened during the post-qualifying media conference at last year’s Teruel grand prix at Aragon, the 11th of the 14-race 2020 championship. Morbidelli’s teammate Fabio Quartararo went into the race four points behind championship leader Joan Mir, while Morbidelli was sixth overall, a further 28 points down.

“Franco,” I asked. “If you get the chance to help Fabio, because he needs every point he can get, while you’re not really in the battle for the championship, will you help him?”

Morbidelli smiled and answered my question with another question. “Why am I not in the battle for the championship?” he asked.

I laughed nervously. “Um, well, I’ve looked at the numbers and… well, I suppose you’ve answered my question.”

Morbidelli calmly continued to make his point.

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t help Fabio if he needs help to win the championship and I’m out of the championship battle, but I’m not out of it yet, so what’s the point of helping him?”

The next day Morbidelli went