Johann Zarco (14th) wanted "just to finish" the MotoGP Spanish GP…

The races follow each other and look alike, alas, for Johann Zarco … Author of an anonymous 14th place in the Spanish Grand Prix despite the new chassis released on his KTM during private tests at Le Mans, the French continue to experience painful moments… Debriefing.

Johann Zarco, KTM Red Bull (18th in qualifying and 14th in race) : "Difficult day today … I wanted to overtake more riders, but I was at the limit for a good part of the race. I was losing ground accelerating, so it was complicated to come back and just overtake when braking ".

• Spanish GP 2019 : The best moments of the race
• Statements and analyzes :
• MNC special file :

"I was able to stay with Pol until the second part of the race. Then my goal was just to finish … I think we can get some good information from the test scheduled for Monday. We have already had some improvements. during the weekend, but we still have to improve the general feeling with the bike ".

Site analysis : 15th in Losail and Termas de Rio Hondo, 13th in Austin and 14th in Jerez … The consistency of Johann Zarco’s results on radically different circuits suggests that the end of the tunnel is still far for the talented driver from Cannes, who had signed his penultimate podium on the same track last year.

Johann, however, approached this first European event with a certain optimism, happy with the (72) thanks to a new chassis designed according to his instructions. "It’s not a magic wand", he relativizes, "but it allows me to better control the bike".

Unfortunately, the long-awaited evolution did not materialize: barely all weekend, the No.5 even showed deep annoyance in the KTM box during testing. Very understandable fit of spite for a driver brutally relegated to the back of the field when he was among the favorites for victory last year…

Still, the agitation of the new recruit of the Orange brand has probably not escaped the big boss Stefan Pierer (above left), who came to gauge the progress of his troops in Andalusia. The Austrian leader was also able to meet his other new employee: Dani Pedrosa, back on a circuit for the first time since his shoulder surgery this winter..

Oliveira renewed at KTM Tech3 for 2020

Pierer’s presence in Jerez also coincides with the, revealed ahead of the event by the manager of the Pit Beirer sports program but delayed – with a hint of annoyance – by the team of the Portuguese driver Tech3.

Stefan Pierer therefore had a lot to consider this weekend, but no doubt he left moderately satisfied: his best representative, Pol Espargaro, took 13th place 20.156 sec from the winner, followed 6.6 sec later on the line by Johann Zarco… 

• MNC of May 3, 2019 : Miguel Oliveira to renew with KTM in 2020, but nothing is signed yet according to Tech3

As for the KTM Tech3s of Oliveira and Syahrin, they remained at the bottom of the hole throughout the Spanish meeting: the Portuguese and the Malaysian finished penultimate and last, respectively 41.570 sec and 50.568 sec behind the untouchable Marc Marquez . A chasm on this route where the lap is completed under 1’40 !

Unflattering results, especially if we consider them in the light of certain racing facts: the KTMs would probably have finished further without the crashes of Bagnaia (Ducati), Quartararo (Yamaha), Miller (Ducati) and Mir (Suzuki) … In short, the Austrian brand could potentially have scored no points if everyone had stayed on their wheels.

Situation "Karrement Very Bad"

And the situation is not much better in the championship, with the exception of Pol Espargaro – always him! – who clings to 11th place just ahead of his brother Aleix on Aprilia (21 points against 18). Johann meanwhile vegetates in 18th position, tied on points (7) with rookie Miguel Oliveira on the RC16 satellite.

The Cannes rider – titillated by the pole position of his compatriot Quartararo on his old motorcycle? – is currently the penultimate factory driver overall: only Andrea Iannone – forfeit due to injury in Jerez – is less well placed with Aprilia (20th with 6 points). 

Hafizh Syahrin, in complete recession on the RC16, is for his part in 23rd place with zero points on the clock in four contested races. The future of the Malaysian rookie in the ranks of KTM seems irreparably compromised … Let’s cross our fingers so that the wind turns before May 19, date of the GP of France during which Johann will be at home !

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