In a sport where a fraction of a second can be the difference between standing on the podium and returning to the paddock with only the thoughts of what could have been, the demands of MotoGP are as unforgiving as they are relentless. Riders push their machines—and their bodies—to the limit over the course of 20-plus races each season, threading through tight corners at nearly 200 mph while enduring intense G-forces, searing heat, and the physical strain of handling a 350-pound prototype at full throttle. It’s not just about skill; it’s about precision, durability, and above all, mental resilience.
For Fabio Quartararo, the 2021 MotoGP World Champion, the physical and psychological challenges of the sport have become second nature—but they weren’t always. His journey from the karting circuits of Nice, France, to global stardom was paved with sacrifice, pressure, and the kind of self-discipline most 14-year-olds aren’t expected to manage. That same drive continues to power him through a grueling race calendar that spans continents and climates, where staying sharp mentally is as critical as staying fit physically.
Unlike many traditional athletes, MotoGP riders aren’t just training for strength or endurance. They’re calibrating their bodies like high-performance engines—maintaining lean muscle mass, perfecting cardio capacity, and staying nimble enough to withstand the demands of tracks that vary wildly from week to week. For Quartararo, the margins are razor-thin, and every training session, meal, and recovery protocol is tailored with precision.
M&F caught up with Fabio Quartararo just as the season ramped up, to talk about the evolving science behind his training, the mental shifts he’s made in high-stress environments, and how he continues to find joy in a sport that demands everything from its riders—physically, emotionally, and mentally.
The Beginning of Fabio Quartararo’s Lifelong Passion for MotoGP
Most elite athletes find their calling early, but Fabio Quartararo was practically born into it. With a father who raced professionally, motorcycles weren’t a curiosity—they were a part of daily life. What began as a hobby quickly became an obsession, and by the time most kids were learning to ride a bike, Fabio was suiting up for his next race.
“My dad was racing in the past and I started when I was 4 years old,” Quartararo says. “At the beginning, I was just playing with the bike and then step by step I started to really like it. It became my passion.”
That passion translated into a rapid ascent. By age 14, he had already captured back-to-back Spanish championships, a proving ground for many of the world’s top MotoGP talent. It was the first time he saw just how far his potential could take him.
“That’s where all the top riders of the world come through,” he says. “At that moment, I said, ‘Okay, I have big potential to really be in a place where I want to be—the world championship.’”
The Truth Behind The Physical Toll of MotoGP
Unlike sports where you can coast on talent, MotoGP punishes anyone who isn’t physically prepared. Riders are tasked with controlling machines capable of explosive speeds while contorting their bodies for balance and aerodynamic efficiency. Quartararo’s training program reflects this unique demand—it’s equal parts endurance, mobility, and targeted strength.
“Everybody is basically training the upper body in the gym and the cardio component is for the legs,” he says. “It’s really specific training. I don’t have to weigh that much, so it’s about being the strongest at the lightest weight possible.”
That precision goes beyond strength work. Each track presents different challenges—some emphasize left turns that stress particular muscle groups, others demand more explosive force or stamina. For Fabio Quartararo, training is always adaptive.
“There are some places where you’ll turn left a lot, so your triceps and upper body need to be ready,” he explains. “But the core and triceps are something we have to work a lot on for all the tracks.”
He’s also overcome multiple injuries, including 11 surgeries and a severely fractured wrist. Recovery and resilience have become as much a part of his training as reps and miles.
“If you recover really well and do that in the best way possible, it doesn’t really affect you in the long term,” he says. “It hasn’t really affected me with my training, to be honest.”
Fueling the Body, Supporting Recovery
When your entire performance depends on split-second decisions, your diet can’t be an afterthought. Quartararo’s approach to nutrition is rooted in data and personalized planning, made possible by a close-knit team of doctors, trainers, and nutritionists. Whether he’s traveling across time zones or ramping up for a race weekend, everything he consumes serves a purpose.
“I have my weekly schedule,” he says. “If I have tough training sessions, the nutritionist is giving me exactly what I need to eat to recover from that. There’s also a lot of information from blood tests that help determine what supplements I have to take.”
Still, he’s found a balance between discipline and enjoyment. Giving himself the occasional treat—like ice cream after dinner—has become part of a larger strategy to maintain mental sharpness and emotional sustainability across a long season.
“My nutritionist also gives me that freedom because it’s good mentally for me,” he says. “So I can relax and not always have to be 100 percent on.”
Mental Strength in the Face of Pressure
When your entire performance depends on split-second decisions, your diet can’t be an afterthought. Quartararo’s approach to nutrition is rooted in data and personalized planning, made possible by a close-knit team of doctors, trainers, and nutritionists. Whether he’s traveling across time zones or ramping up for a race weekend, everything he consumes serves a purpose.
“I have my weekly schedule,” he says. “If I have tough training sessions, the nutritionist is giving me exactly what I need to eat to recover from that. There’s also a lot of information from blood tests that help determine what supplements I have to take.”
Still, he’s found a balance between discipline and enjoyment. Giving himself the occasional treat—like ice cream after dinner—has become part of a larger strategy to maintain mental sharpness and emotional sustainability across a long season.
“My nutritionist also gives me that freedom because it’s good mentally for me,” he says. “So I can relax and not always have to be 100 percent on.”