Analysis – MotoGP French GP – Zarco: “I knew something could happen” –

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MotoGP French GP – Zarco: "I knew something could happen"

Analysis - MotoGP French GP - Zarco:

He did it ! Johann Zarco took his first MotoGP podium in front of his home crowd at Le Mans, hoisting his private Yamaha Tech3 behind winner Viñales’ factory M1 and in front of Pedrosa’s official Honda ! A resounding feat achieved during a particularly exciting 2017 French Grand Prix. Forzarco! MNC Statements and Analysis.

Johann Zarco, Yamaha Tech3 (3rd in qualifying and 2nd in race) : "First of all, I would like to underline the good work of Maverick for his victory, Yamaha’s 500th. Since the start of the season, I have been feeling good on the first laps. So I said to myself that I had to seize this opportunity. I rode on the soft tire all weekend long. Somehow I was lucky because it was not as hot as initially expected. ".

Analysis - MotoGP French GP - Zarco:

“As I was leading I remembered Qatar and I was like, ‘Okay, don’t make the same mistake.’ Maverick then passed me, he was very fast, but I was able to keep pace. Valentino was Also very strong and at this point in the race I was heading for third place. But I know Le Mans, it’s a narrow circuit where anything is possible … I stayed focused, I know my limits. knew something could happen. I finished on the podium, while continuing to learn, which is great ".

  • MNC of May 21, 2017 : 
  • MotoGP French GP: 
  • MotoGP French GP : 

Site analysis : It had been no less than 29 years since a French driver had been on the podium of his national Grand Prix in the premier category of the Grand Prix (Christian Sarron, 2nd in the French GP 500cc at Le Castellet in 1988): Johann Zarco put an end to this long wait on Sunday at Le Mans (72), by securing second place 3.1 seconds behind the winner Viñales! This is Johann’s best result in the premier class, after his 5th place in Argentina and Austin and his 4th place in Jerez.. 

Analysis - MotoGP French GP - Zarco:

The Cannes driver is also the first Frenchman to win a podium in MotoGP since Randy de Puniet’s 3rd place in the 2009 British GP! With the huge difference that Randy was at the time in his fourth season in the premier class, while Johann is a beginner with only 5 MotoGP starts to his credit since Sunday! In addition, the n ° 5 rose to the forefront on the dry track at Le Mans when his compatriot had taken advantage of wet conditions to get out of the game at Silverstone … 

This exciting result comes after a weekend perfectly managed by the Tech3 rider, qualified third behind the official M1s of Viñales and Rossi after a well-run session. It was during his tests that the n ° 5 defined his tire strategy, focusing on the softer compound at the front and rear when the factory M1s fitted medium tires. This decision was based on a long series of laps with these "Soft" tires (27 in all), which had convinced Johann and his team to try this bet despite the contraindications of Michelin.. 

Analysis - MotoGP French GP - Zarco:

In the race, Johann did not tremble in the face of the enormous pressure and the stakes, even managing to draw additional energy from the incredible support provided by his many fans: "I could hear the Marseillaise before the start and I was wondering if we could hear it again at the finish ", confides the two-time Moto2 champion, who will turn 27 on July 15th. The victory at Le Mans, Johann thought it possible and this, without any boastfulness or overconfidence. !

It was in this state of mind that the Tech3 rider started the race, as is his habit on the hats of wheels and imprinting a rhythm that even Viñales struggled to follow: "I expected that his tires are weakening, but that did not happen, "admitted the Spaniard on arrival, sincerely admiring the speed and consistency of his French rival. The Yamaha official however managed to get the better of Zarco on lap 7, before being joined by his teammate Rossi..

  • MotoGP French GP – Viñales :

In the 26th lap, the Italian took the lead and Johann – like many – thought the positions frozen … while hoping that the situation would turn to his advantage: "I expected it to be a big battle between Maverick and Valentino , and I was ready to take advantage of it in case it ended in a fall. I thought of Yamaha’s 500th victory and said to myself: why not me? ", he says..

This rebound did indeed occur in the last lap, when Rossi made a mistake after being overtaken by Viñales: Johann Zarco saw himself propelled from third to second place under the checkered flag, under the cheers of some 104,000 spectators, a growing number of whom have already rallied to their cause !

Analysis - MotoGP French GP - Zarco:

"I’ve been a Rossi fan for a long time, but what Johann is doing right now is really great," said a spectator after the race. For him, as for many observers, the popularity of the Frenchman and his performances reach such a level that it seems possible to see Zarco replace the Doctor in the official Yamaha team. And why not after 2018, when the will expire, at the same time as that of ?! 

The final word goes to Herve Poncharal, moved as never before at the arrival of this unforgettable Grand Prix de France: "I often said to Jeremy Burgess, Rossi’s former chief mechanic:" You are used to victory and on the podiums, it became almost a routine. For us, the private team, it’s a party! "A party all the more beautiful as Johann snatched 5th place in the provisional ranking from Andrea Dovizioso, placing his private M1 behind the four factory bikes in Viñales, Pedrosa, Rossi and Marquez ! 

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