Poncharal emotional about 20th anniversary

Monster Yamaha Tech 3 did not quite get the results they wanted in their home race at the Grand Prix de France on Sunday but the ever optimistic team boss Hervé Poncharal was taking all the positives from their 20th anniversary celebrations at Le Mans.

Having started the team in 1989 with Guy Coulon, now Colin Edwards’ Crew Chief, Poncharal was pleased to note now many admirers they have in the World Championship over the weekend. “It was emotional and a lot of people around the paddock, media, fans, riders, came to wish us a ‘Happy Birthday’! I am very sentimental and it touched me,” he admitted. “I don’t like to be too proud of anything but it was very good.”

“I think the French Grand Prix is always well managed and it is a big event, with a big crowd,” Poncharal continued, “For us it was special because we are celebrating our 20th anniversary. I mean to be doing this job for 20 years now just feels incredible because when I look back it feels like we only started two or three years ago, but of course I am older than that!”

Reviewing the action on track, after Edwards came home seventh at a track where he was on the podium last year, Poncharal commented, “I think the race created a lot of excitement for the crowd and for the media. Unfortunately for us although we knew we had the speed for the podium with Colin I felt a bit bitter after the race. I think he didn’t have the right confidence in the first seven or eight laps and he lost too much ground. Once he was on slicks he was really fast, so the result is a bit of a disappointment.”

On James Toseland’s return to the top ten in ninth place, Poncharal added, “James also had a good recovery, Spain was good and here he has taken another step forward. At the next two rounds, Mugello and Catalunya, both of our riders like the tracks, the Yamahas go well there, so we have to be positive and we hope for two beautiful sunny races.”