Moto-net.com reissues this 2005 article in direct connection with these recent publications:
Twenty years ago, therefore, on the Motorcycle Journal of the Net …
By finishing second in the Chinese Grand Prix yesterday in Shanghai after having rushed from 15th position, Olivier Jacque created much more than his surprise general – including his: he demonstrates in his own way, just like Valentino Rossi at Yamaha, Christophe Guyot in the world Endurance Championship or in Le Mans and Serge Nuns on the Moto Tour, that it is the pilot and his motivation that make the difference, Motorcycle, tires, settings or money.
After two years of absence, the rage to defeat Olivier and his lack of pressure indeed highlighted the strange lack of “gniak” of the favorites who, apart from his holiness, did not shine under the Chinese heavens …
Usually Grand Gentleman, Gibernau gradually seems to be won by the Biaggi Attitude : he finished 4th after having left for pole and reproaches Michelin engineers for having imposed him “A very bad rear tire“… the Roman emperor Himself, decidedly little comfortable in the Middle Empire, starts in 14th position just in front of Oj and finished 5th.”The result is not so bad“, Consives Biaggi who is still waiting for the HRC to decide at”solve problems“.
Conversely, Olivier Jacque has shown a flawless determination, braving the elements and the disastrous race conditions with a rare plume. Admittedly, he had no pressure, as the grumpy will not fail to point out, and the rain leveled performance. But precisely: in such trying conditions – soggy track, reduced visibility, limited grip, fogging on the visor – and in the absence of real stake, how many pilots holding their handlebars in the queen category would have content to ensure the minimum union?
Instead of which Magic Oj, even if he retrospectively admits that “the idea of giving up“lui a”crossed the mind a few seconds“, Truly exceeded, going backstacing his 15th place by swallowing Bayliss, Capirossi, Melandri, Biaggi then Gibernau to finally have no more in his sights than the rear wheel of his holiness (for the turn of this fantastic rise, read Moto-Net of May 2, 2005). And finish second, when it is behind Rossi, it is a bit of the first!
Would you have imagined a few days ago to obtain such a result?
Surely not! I have rolled very little for two years, just a replacement for Moriwaki last year on the Grands Prix of Japan in September and Valence in November. As it was a replacement of Alex Hofmann, injured, Kawasaki warned me quite late and I did not have time to sharpen myself physically. In addition, I had never rolled on the ZX-RR before the few tests that we carried out a few days before our departure for China. Likewise, the Bridgestone tires were new to me and it was our first driving to all on the Shanghai circuit. Many unknowns therefore before setting the Chinese ground foot …
This first China Grand Prix took place in deplorable weather. Did you suffer during the race?
Yes, I was very handicapped by fogging in my helmet. The water remained on my visor, I didn’t see the turns anymore, it was horror. I took a long time to overtake Sete Gibernau because I had no visibility. Only a few square centimeters on the side allowed me to see something! I had to turn my head permanently. When I passed Gibernau and I was no longer in the heat of his engine, it went a little better. But before that, it was hell! The idea of abandoning even crossed my mind, a few seconds … fortunately I persevered!
Starting from 15th place, you successively spend Hayden, then Biaggi, then Gibernau … When of the race do you mean that it is possible?
We are not going to redo the story but honestly, if I had not had as many fogging problems, I think that the victory was within my reach … I took a long time to double my opponents and it was the ultimate to pass Gibernau. If I had been able to do it earlier, I could have hoped to fight with Valentino. I only finish at 1.7 seconds and I lost much more than that because of this lack of visibility …
What did you feel by passing the finish line?
I said to myself “it’s incredible!” I couldn’t come back! I really gave the best of myself, it is as strong as my title of world champion 250 in 2000. For three years, I fought to get on a MotoGP podium. I had failed at the 2002 Germany Grand Prix, before being hit by Alex Barros. Today is a great day for me. I think I am surprised, and I first. I imagine that Rossi’s team did not have a “oj” sign ready to pass him to tell him that I was behind him!
How did the motorcycle behaved?
The motorcycle and the tires were perfect from the first round to the drop in the flag with checkered. I found my brands right away, I was really in tune with the motorcycle. The team made a fantastic job and the settings were in accordance with my wishes. I would even say that comfort and confidence rose crescendo: I felt better and better over the towers. In mid-race, I had a thought for the Kawasaki and Bridgestone teams and I told them thank you!
Did you scare yourself on this soggy track?
No, not really. Apart from this fogging problem that blinded me, the motorcycle was really well controllable. I made some beautiful slides that I was able to recover. And once I bit the white strip. It was hot, but I was so focused that I was able to control each time. I could really take the measure of grip.
15 days from the Grand Prix de France, how do you plan the rest of the 2005 season? Is this the handlebar assured for next year?
It is too early to say. What matters now is the Grand Prix de France at Le Mans in 15 days. I’m going to be so happy to play my national grand prize and find my fans. I will do my best, I will give everything. But you have to be lucid, this second place in Shanghai is quite exceptional. We are not going to live this every weekend. Everyone is aware of it, me first … Tell Claude Michy, the organizer of the Grand Prix de France, to burn a candle so that it rains at Le Mans!
Interesting, right?
