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How a 'butt-kicking' helped shape MotoGP's newest winner

It's not been the easiest of routes to the top for Franco Morbidelli, but as the San Marino GP winner tells Autosport, his pasting by Fabio Quartararo in 2019 and loss of factory Yamaha support has been vital in shaping Italy's next big MotoGP hope

Lewis Duncan Sep 14, 2020, 3:41 PM

"In my opinion, the race went just fine." Those were Franco Morbidelli's first words in the post-race press conference at Misano he headlined after scorching to a maiden MotoGP victory in the San Marino Grand Prix.

Apparently nothing seems to faze the Petronas SRT rider. If the world of motorcycle racing and MotoGP is thrash metal, then Morbidelli is some laid-back reggae. More than most, he understands how to put things into perspective because it's not been the easiest of roads to Misano 2020.

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Author Lewis Duncan

Lewis Duncan is Autosport's International Editor and primary motorcycle racing reporter. A motorsport fan from a young age, Lewis became interested in journalism when he won the star letter competition in the February 2012 issue of F1 Racing Magazine. A member of the Autosport Academy from 2017, Lewis became a freelance motorcycle racing correspondent for Autosport in 2019 before becoming a full-time staffer in 2020 as International Editor.

While MotoGP coverage is his priority, Lewis also covers World Superbikes and road racing across the Motorsport Network, and hosts the Tank Slappers Podcast. He has also occasionally commentated on 750 Motor Club meetings. Away from motorsport, Lewis is a keen record collector with a collection unashamedly largely featuring Iron Maiden and Rush and an avid guitar player.