Johann Zarco announced it yesterday (see here): his objective is high for this Czech Republic Grand Prix (Top 5) and, to achieve it, he will have to be competitive from the first free practice session.
For the moment, the least we can say is that the Tech3 driver has actually achieved what he set out to achieve since it was a splendid day that he experienced on the Brno circuit for this resumption of the Championship of the MotoGP world.
Outperforming his opponents during FP1 which took place on a wet track, the Frenchman first took his time when FP2 started, in order to both let the track dry and cover it with a layer of gum. Strategy paid off since the rookie found himself ranked fourth on the evening of this first day in Moravia.
Johann zarco, 4th, 1'56.862, 34 laps: “I'm happy to be back in the paddock and on my bike. The summer break was good because I rested and trained, but also reflected on what I had achieved during the first part of the season. Anyway, I was satisfied to have a positive feeling today in the wet this morning, because last year in Moto2, I struggled a lot in the rain. Therefore, I knew I had to attack, which I did from the start, and it worked very well as I finished first. Then, during the afternoon, the surface improved with each lap. It was dry but we needed some rubber to settle on the surface for more grip. At the end, when I put on the soft tires, I was able to move up the standings. I'm happy to be in the top 10 because you never know what the weather will be like, but I still need to improve my feeling and work with the team to be able to be fast and consistent, which is the key for the Grand Price. My goal for tomorrow will be to work on race pace, as well as being faster, because if it's dry the track will improve and many drivers will be able to improve their times and get closer to 'a 1'55. So I want to be closer to that time, still learning and feeling good. »
FP2 ranking:
01- Andrea Dovizioso – Ducati Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP – 1'56.332
02- Jonas Folger – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.398
03- Danilo Petrucci – OCTO Pramac Racing – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 0.419
04- Johann Zarco – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.530
05- Hector Barbera – Reale Avintia Racing – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 0.532
06- Scott Redding – OCTO Pramac Racing – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 0.573
07- Dani Pedrosa - Repsol Honda Team - Honda RC213V - + 0.601
08- Cal Crutchlow – LCR Honda – Honda RC213V – + 0.629
09- Aleix Espargaro – Aprilia Racing Team Gresini – Aprilia RS-GP – + 0.687
10- Marc Marquez – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC213V – + 0.877
11- Maverick Vinales – Movistar Yamaha MotoGP – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.957
12- Alvaro Bautista – Pull&Bear Aspar Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 0.982
13- Pol Espargaro – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing – KTM RC16 – + 1.046
14- Valentino Rossi – Movistar Yamaha MotoGP – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 1.064
15- Jorge Lorenzo – Ducati Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 1.305
16- Karel Abraham – Pull&Bear Aspar Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 1.537
17- Loris Baz – Reale Avintia Racing – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 1.660
18- Alex Rins – Team Suzuki Ecstar – Suzuki GSX-RR – + 1.710
19- Jack Miller – EG 0,0 Marc VDS – Honda RC213V – + 1.847
20- Andrea Iannone – Team Suzuki Ecstar – Suzuki GSX-RR – + 1.862
21- Tito Rabat – EG 0,0 Marc VDS – Honda RC213V – + 2.105
22- Sam Lowes – Aprilia Racing Team Gresini – Aprilia RS-GP – + 2.306
23- Bradley Smith – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing – KTM RC16 – + 3.050
