It was also a trip to parc ferme as top Independent Team rider for the reigning Moto2™ World Champion, and next up is his home race in Le Mans - targeting another trip to the winner's enclosure, this time on the podium.

"I feel so happy about our performance today. Jerez is a complicated track and all of the riders were really close in qualifying so it has been a challenge here." Siad the Frenchman

"At the beginning of the race, my feeling was great and I felt very comfortable, plus I had the confidence. I was able to overtake some of the top guys and then when I was second, I still felt good."

"However, I almost crashed twice, which allowed Marc to overtake me and from that moment I was wondering what would happen." He added "I could not push anymore on the front because I was really on the limit and so I wasn’t able to follow the top two riders."

"I remained in third for a long time, but when Jorge overtook me, I was thinking that I could manage the gap, yet he was more consistent than me in the last eight laps. The target is to be on the podium or as close as possible to it, so we did the job today."

"I am happy and now I will take a good rest so that I can be strong again for my home race in two weeks. I am positive about going to Le Mans and this is perhaps why I am thinking that everything is going well now, so maybe the most difficult time is yet to come. The best way to control the pressure that I will feel in France is to enjoy every moment, live in the present and appreciate our work."