Hope has been converted.

In April, here in the south of Portugal, Quartararo (Yamaha) won Round 3, his second Grand Prix in a row after Qatar, and had great ambitions for the world title.

Today, it is therefore as a world champion that the Frenchman returns to the land of one of his five successes this season, for the 17th Grand Prix out of 18, before the end of the clap in Valence next week.

"It took a little while, but I'm finally starting to realize that I'm 2021 MotoGP World Champion!" Said Quartararo, forever the first French rider to be crowned in the premier class.

Assured of the title in Italy two weeks ago after the fall of his runner-up Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati), the 22-year-old rider, whose smile never leaves his face, now intends to finish in style, freed from the weight of his quest and carried by the euphoria of his very first world coronation.

"Relaxed"

"I feel more relaxed," he said at a press conference, his voice still broken after the days of celebration.

"In Misano, the pressure was quite high because we were fighting for something big, now (...) for these last two races there will not be as much pressure".

Fabio Quartararo during the GP of Emilia-Romagna, October 24, 2021 in Misano Adriatio (Italy) ANDREAS SOLARO AFP / Archives

"I have fulfilled my role, but I will continue to give everything for the victory," he continued, aware that he is also fighting for the classification of the teams and that of the constructors.

Its team, the official Yamaha team, is first with 13 points ahead of the official Ducati team (out of eleven teams in total).

But in the constructors' ranking (six in total), the Japanese firm is ahead of its Italian rival Ducati by 12 points.

Among the pilots, the podium of the year is practically established.

To accompany Quartararo (267 points), the Italian Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) and Joan Mir (Suzuki) are in good places (with 202 and 175 points respectively).

If Quartararo will find Bagnaia on his way to victory on Sunday, Marc Marquez, in good shape with his two victories in the Americas and in Emilia-Romagna, forfeited him.

Victim of a slight concussion during a fall in training, the six-time MotoGP world champion does not take any risks.

Rossi, it's almost over

Fourth in the championship, the other Frenchman Johann Zarco (152 points) does not give up, with the honorary place of first driver of an independent team (Ducati Pramac).

In April, Zarco took a leading position in the Algarve, before falling and leaving his young compatriot to take the lead.

Italian Valentino Rossi during the MotoGP Emilia-Romagna GP, October 23, 2021 in Misano Adriatico ANDREAS SOLARO AFP / Archives

Zarco was not the only casualty on the southern Portuguese roller coaster circuit as four other riders retired including Valentino Rossi (Yamaha-SRT).

The 42-year-old Italian, nine times world champion including seven times in the premier class, is living his last hours in MotoGP.

At the 21st place in the world, he will try to slip back into the top 10 to continue his farewell tour as well as possible.

At the other end of the scale, the young shoots are making their mark.

In Moto2, Australian Remy Gardner has a first title shot against rival Raul Fernandez, ahead of him by 18 points.

In Moto3, 17-year-old rookie Pedro Acosta has another chance to win even though Dennis Foggia is still racing.

© 2021 AFP