This French Grand Prix will undoubtedly remain engraved in the memory of Johann and all those who attended this absolutely magnificent race. Obtaining his first podium in MotoGP at home in front of his fans, for only his fifth race in the premier category, is a great achievement.
For Johann in third position on the grid for his national Grand Prix, it was his first time on the front row in MotoGP. The last French driver was Randy de Puniet at Catalunya in 2010.
Zarco got off to a perfect start and moved into first position ahead of Maverick Vinales. He thus managed to make the best use of the soft tires he had chosen at the front and rear. He led the race for the first seven laps in front of an enthusiastic crowd, and then ceded the lead to Vinales but remained very close to the Spanish driver.
Six laps from the checkered flag, Valentino in turn overtook Johann, who followed him for a moment then very intelligently secured his first podium. Unfortunately for the Italian, he fell on the last lap and Zarco crossed the checkered flag in second position to a deluge of applause.
It was his fourth consecutive top-five finish, after he finished fifth in Argentina and Texas, then fourth at Jerez. This progress was truly impressive.
In the Championship, he climbed to fifth position, just three points behind Marc Marquez. This May 21, 2017, Johann entered the big leagues.
According to Johann Zarco, “ First of all, I would like to highlight the good work of Maverick for his victory, Yamaha's 500th. Since the start of the season, I have felt good in the first laps and I told myself that I had to seize this opportunity.
“I rode the soft tire throughout the weekend and I was lucky because it wasn't as hot as we expected at the start of the race. While leading, I remembered Qatar and said to myself, 'Okay, don't make the same mistake.'
“When Maverick overtook me, he was very fast and thanks to that I was able to keep up. Valentino was also very strong and at that point in the race I was content with third place. But I know Le Mans, it’s a tight circuit where everything is possible…
“I stayed focused, I knew my limits and I knew something could happen. I finished on the podium while continuing to learn, it's great! »
Classification of the French Grand Prix:
1. Maverick Vinales ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 43m 29.793s
2. Johann Zarco FRA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)* 43m 32.927s
3. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 43m 37.510s
4. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 43m 41.016s
5. Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 43m 43.312s
6. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 43m 53.795s
7. Jonas Folger GER Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)* 43m 55.526s
8. Jack Miller AUS Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 44m 2.396s
9. Loris Baz FRA Reale Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP15) 44m 15.577s
10. Andrea Iannone ITA Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 44m 18.125s
11. Tito Rabat ESP Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 44m 19.829s
12. Pol Espargaro ESP Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 44m 22.454s
13. Bradley Smith GBR Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 44m 22.972s
14. Sam Lowes GBR Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP)* 44m 25.225s
15. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 44m 36.671s
Provisional ranking of the World Championship:
| 1 | Maverick VIÑALES | Yamaha | SPA | 85 |
| 2 | Dani PEDROSA | Honda | SPA | 68 |
| 3 | Valentino ROSSI | Yamaha | ITA | 62 |
| 4 | Marc Márquez | Honda | SPA | 58 |
| 5 | johann zarco | Yamaha | FRA | 55 |
| 6 | Andrea Dovizioso | Ducati | ITA | 54 |
| 7 | Cal Crutchlow | Honda | GBR | 40 |
| 8 | Jorge Lorenzo | Ducati | SPA | 38 |
| 9 | Jonas Folger | Yamaha | GER | 38 |
| 10 | Jack Miller | Honda | AUS | 29 |
| 11 | Danilo PETRUCCI | Ducati | ITA | 26 |
| 12 | Scott REDDING | Ducati | GBR | 26 |
| 13 | Loris BAZ | Ducati | FRA | 19 |
| 14 | Aleix Espargaro | Aprilia | SPA | 17 |
| 15 | Andrea Iannone | Suzuki | ITA | 15 |
| 16 | Alvaro BAUTISTA | Ducati | SPA | 14 |
| 17 | Tito RABAT | Honda | SPA | 13 |
| 18 | Hector BARBERA | Ducati | SPA | 12 |
| 19 | Karel ABRAHAM | Ducati | CZE | 9 |
| 20 | Alex Rins | Suzuki | SPA | 7 |
| 21 | Pol Espargaró | KTM | SPA | 6 |
| 22 | Bradley SMITH | KTM | GBR | 6 |
| 23 | Sam LOWES | Aprilia | GBR | 2 |
| 24 | Sylvain GUINTOLI | Suzuki | FRA | 1 |
Photo © Tech 3
