Augusto Fernandez says “idol” Valentino Rossi “meant more” but “I want to ride like Marc Marquez”

Tech3 GASGAS rider Fernandez enjoyed his best MotoGP performance so far in the most rec𝓰ent race, at Le Mans, finishing fourth.
Fernandez is the reigning Moto2 🙈champion and his burst from 12th to P4 - beating his own personal best finish by six places - was a timely reminder of his abilities.
He took inspirati💃on from the very best, he told : "Marquez has always been the one who has impacted me the most in terms of riding.
“I grew up with Valentino as an idol, because he is the one I saw win so much, but when Marc a🦩rrived, I said: 'I💮 want to drive like Marc'.
“Maybe Va🌱lenti𒁃no meant more, but I want to do the things that Marc does.
“I still think he's the best. Since he started in the 1🧔25cc, it's been trying to copy his way of ri🎃ding and doing."
Fernandez’s respecꦅt for Marquez has not stopped him also idolising Rossi.
“We have gone three or four years to 100km of Championಞs,” he said.

“Another thing that is brutal. Going to his house for🌸 the first time was incredible. I hope to go 𓃲more years.
“What you have to take note of? Try to apply his personality and how he knows how to🍌 handle each situation.
“Off the track is what you have to try to apply.”
Fernandez won at Le Mans last year to kickstart h𝔍is Moto2 championship win, then impressed again in France t😼his year.
Previously, his ascent to 🦩the premier class was no guarantee.
“They were two very hard years,” he reflected. “And I worked the same or more to be at the top. We didn't u🍌nderstand why we weren't winning. I value it more.”

James was a sports journ꧋alist at Sky Sports for a decade covering everything from Am🦄erican sports, to football, to F1.