Christophe Ponsson’s choice for Tito Rabat’s place in Avintia was criticized before the San Marino GP in MotoGP. The rider, with total inexperience in the premier class bikes, was viewed with suspicion by other riders and teams, but there was no major problems and there is even those who have been impressed with him.

This is the case of Hervé Poncharal, Yamaha Tech3 team boss, who in statements to Motorsport-Total website began by admitting that he was one of the skeptical with the option for Ponsson:

– They offered him this opportunity and he accepted it, but I didn’t realize it when I saw it. First of all I thought it was dangerous, especially for him, because these bikes are guns. You go on a bike like this without tests and then on a track that is difficult for MotoGP because it is very small. The bike is a prototype, with very special Michelin tires, and then there’s the carbon fiber. Is very difficult.

The frenchman ended up having a good impression of Ponsson given the way he adapted to MotoGP: ‘I didn’t understand this at all, but he dominated the challenge very well. I have to praise him because he didn’t crash, it wasn’t easy, he improved significantly with each session and every lap, and he did a very good job in the practice and racing, not disturbing the other riders and learning’.