Spanish GP – Johann Zarco hoped for better for his first race on Ducati in Jerez – Occasions DUCATI

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Johann Zarco was hoping for better for his first Ducati race in Jerez

Spanish GP - Johann Zarco hoped for better for his first race on Ducati in Jerez - Occasions DUCATI

Fabio Quartararo’s splendid victory at the 2020 Spanish GP overshadows another event awaited by the French clan: the first race of our compatriot Johann Zarco on the Ducati-Avintia ! Verdict? Some difficulties of acclimatization synonymous with a distant 11th place for the former KTM rider … Debriefing.

Johann Zarco, Ducati-Avintia (19th in qualifying and 11th in race) : "I finished this first race of the season in 11th place … I was hoping to feel more comfortable during the race, but the pace was hard to maintain. The base is solid, and now I’m happy to run again next week on this same track to understand even more our work and the improvements! I have to accept the small steps to come back among the best ".

  • Spanish GP 2020 : Fabio Quartararo, new and immense French hope in MotoGP
  • Spanish GP 2020 :

MNC analysis : Johann Zarco does not hide it: his ambitions for the first race of the season were higher than his 11th place final, some 25 seconds behind the winner Fabio Quartararo. A tricolor victory which must also make him think, even if he is publicly delighted with this return to the forefront of France in the premier category…

"Fabio Quartararo won today: I am happy for him and the French motorcycle lovers!" Exclaimed the n ° 5 in reaction to the fantastic race of speed and control of our compatriot. Remember that Fabio is only the fourth French driver to win in the premier class, a distinction that would obviously not have displeased Johann. !

Especially since the just 30-year-old from Cannes also shone on a Yamaha satellite in MotoGP in 2017 and 2018, before falling into the shadows on the official KTM … Now aligned with the semi-official Ducati Avintia, Johann does not dream of only one thing: to return to the foreground of the MotoGP scene to gain access to a factory handlebars with the Reds! And why not that of Dovizioso, if by chance the n ° 4 does not renew his contract? ?!

"If Johann wants the official Ducati, he has to earn it"

"Johann will definitely try to make it to the official Ducati squad," said Avintia team manager Ruben Xaus. Asked by Sky Sports, the fiery former Spanish rider, however, warns his new recruit: "If he wants this bike, he must deserve it. If you don’t win, you are no one here: the one in charge is the one ahead ". Atmosphere…

  • MNC of December 10, 2019 : 

"I think that on Friday he underestimated his rivals: he said it publicly, he thought it was easier and finally you see what happened", he analyzes firmly, without hiding a certain annoyance, as if to call his pilot to more weighting… 

The case seemed to be well underway for Johann: 11th in FP1 free practice then 8th in FP2, the French driver gave himself the luxury of finishing the first day as the first Ducati rider! Things got tougher the next day: 15th in FP3, n ° 5 failed to keep up with the increase in pace, with a small fall..

11th at the finish, but far behind the clock

Qualifying has, alas, validated this lack of speed: the new teammate of Esteve "Tito" Rabat qualified in an anonymous 19th place on the grid, at 1.401 seconds from the record pole of his compatriot Fabio Quartararo (1 ‘ 38.106 against 1’36.705). Johann readily admits it: understanding the Ducati and exploiting its qualities will still take time..

 Spanish GP - Johann Zarco hoped for better for his first race on Ducati in Jerez - Occasions DUCATI

The Frenchman finally finished in 11th place ahead of Alex Marquez, Brad Binder, Tito Rabat and Bradley Smith: a very honorable position for a first race on a private motorcycle, also deemed difficult. 

It should be remembered, however, that there was a lack of "beautiful people" at the finish: Rins and Crutchlow withdrew from injury, Rossi retired due to a breakdown, while and Mir fell. Another reason for annoyance for Johann: his former teammate Pol Espargaro finished at the gates of the Top 5 – even the Top 4 since only 3 tenths separate the KTM from the 4th, Jack Miller! – with 18.162 sec ahead of n ° 5.

  • Spanish GP : Marc Marquez injured, an opportunity to seize for the title !

No worries, however: our compatriot has the talent and the resources to return to the level of his ambitions, while Ducati is already bringing him an s. What to hope to bounce back next Sunday on this same circuit for the GP of Andalusia. Stay connected !

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