Zarco will be “less lost” than rivals after MotoGP break
Johann Zarco believes he will be “less lost” than the rest of the MotoGP grid when racing resumes as he’s already had more time off a bike than the others.
The 2020 MotoGP season is on indefinite hiatus right now due to the coronavirus pandemic, which forced the cancellation of the Qatar Grand Prix and the postponement of the following Thailand, Austin, Argentine and Jerez races.
It is thought an announcement on May’s French and Italian Grands Prix being postponed is imminent, with the season now likely to start in June at the earliest.
Zarco, who will ride for Avintia Ducati on a year-old Desmosedici this season, believes this “can work to my advantage”.
After losing his KTM ride after September’s Misano round, Zarco didn’t return to racing until October’s Phillip Island race with LCR Honda in place of Takaaki Nakagami.
After that, he wouldn’t ride the Ducati until February’s Sepang test while rest of the grid (the injured Nakagami and Miguel Oliveira aside) rode for four days at Valencia and Jerez in November.
Speaking to Canal+, Zarco said: “[It's a] strange time, but I tell myself that it can work to my advantage.
"To stay without riding or having to discover a bike and adapt to it quickly, I've already experienced it last year when I got on the Honda in Australia.
“Clearly, I didn't sparkle (he only finished one of those three races – a 13th in Australia) and haven't been on the podium, but I wasn't in the ridiculous category.
“I was acceptable, and it went straight up in two weeks. And then again: with the time needed to sign with Ducati, I haven't done any testing in November.
“That gave me a break of almost three months and then I had to attack in Malaysia; and there, again, no sparks on the first day, but at the end of the third day [I did] a good lap time, and then better tests afterwards in Qatar.
"So that gives me confidence. I tell myself that, if the break is long, maybe I'll be less lost than the others.”
He added: “I can only hope that it can turn to my advantage, that I can readapt more quickly than the others, and as soon as we’ll be racing again maybe I’ll be able to improve a lot.
“So I’m hoping for something good in that sense.”
Share Or Save This Story
MotoGP 2025: Full rider line-up revealed
A year on from Marquez’s Germany MotoGP meltdown, has Honda improved?
What’s behind MotoGP’s right-hander chaos in Germany practice?
MotoGP 2027 grid: All confirmed rider signings
Johann Zarco: “My ego is filled” after impressive MotoGP comeback in Aragon
Johann Zarco set to return at Aragon GP after terrifying Barcelona accident
Bastianini: Overtaking ‘MotoGP boss’ Marquez for podium fantastic
European MotoGP: Zarco tops wet FP3 as Rossi returns
Updated Ducati made Zarco feel “like a factory rider” again
Enea Bastianini: "I've been waiting a long time for this moment"
Marc Marquez sent body double to Motegi kart race: “We are not here to mess around or drive go karts"
F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia descends into chaos as car trouble prompts red flag
Kyle Larson debates purpose of stage points, call them "participation awards"
How to make two MotoGP grids with a single qualifying session
What we learned from an emotional MotoGP Austrian Grand Prix
Are Aprilia riders making it too easy for Marc Marquez to win the 2026 MotoGP title?
What we learned from MotoGP’s decisive San Marino Grand Prix
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments