Australian Grand Prix Phillip Island MotoGP J.3 Debriefing Johann Zarco: the start, the shock, the protections, etc. (entirety)

We perpetuate our habit of referring to you in full the words of Johann Zarco, in a raw way, therefore without journalistic formatting or distortion.

Alongside the sometimes slightly formatted communication of traditional press releases, the exchanges between the French rider and the journalists in the hospitality of the Monster Yamaha Tech3 team are of a richness and simplicity that true enthusiasts will appreciate (you can find all his past debriefings in our section “Interviews").

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Johann zarco : “It was of course an accident. We were going so fast and there wasn't much room on the left side. Marc was close to Jack and he came back on the line to take turn 1. But I was also there, so I crashed. Like I said, I feel really sad that I didn't finish the race and didn't score more points than Danilo and Crutchlow who didn't race. But on the other hand, if I think about the opportunity to get a podium or even a victory, and I'm very happy that Maverick won the race, I did a good job and I think I don't I wasn't far from doing a good job as well. So thinking about this possibility of a podium or victory, I finally played my race like that. I had the opportunity to seize this opportunity and that’s why I really attacked at the beginning so as not to lose this opportunity.”

Did you speak with Marc?

“I went to see him, just to apologize because I completely destroyed the back of his bike. And he told me not to worry, and that the most important thing was that I didn't get hurt. As two athletes and competitors, we understand each other completely.”

Do you have any after-effects from the accident?

“I feel some pain there () but I did x-rays and nothing is broken. I'm relieved nothing was broken because I felt myself and didn't feel anything, just hit it really hard. That's all. I'm glad that in the end I slipped very quickly. I had the feeling it would never end. I'm crossing my fingers that I didn't touch or hit anything. I tensed my whole body very hard to be ready in case I hit something. I think I'm lucky I stayed on the grass and didn't reach the gravel, and that's why I'm completely unscathed now. It really blew up and I’m really happy to have nothing.”

What did you think at the moment of contact?

“You can only say so much to each other. You are in this moment where you fall when it would be better not to and you also think that you are losing the race. Many things come to mind but I also think that the main thing is to survive, to hold on and keep your fingers crossed.”

Sepang promises to be difficult but this weekend you felt good in practice and in the race. Do you think this will continue?

“I hope so, having almost had that for 4 races in a row. It's a good thing for me because I now have a good feeling and I work better with the team. So that means I will have another chance to do well in Malaysia. You will have to start by doing a good qualification because starting from the front row is always a valuable help. Then, with the heat and the nature of the circuit, perhaps the Yamahas will have less chance than here of being good and having a rhythm for victory. But why not a podium, because the conditions will be difficult. So maybe if I feel comfortable on the bike, it could be less bad than for the others, even if the Ducati will be strong, as shown by the time that Lorenzo did during the February tests in Sepang ".

Was the airbag helpful when you fell?

“I didn't even pay attention to whether it had gone off or not (Johann then looks at his leather). In fact, it went off and that's why my suit came off behind my left shoulder. But yes, I think it allows you to avoid some blows at that level, when you are on your back.”

Did Marc surprise you by braking in a place where he didn't usually brake, or did something else happen?

“He was first sucked into Jack. He shifted. Me then, I was really sucked by Jack and I completely reach their asses. And when it was time to brake, Marquez didn't want to pass Jack because I think he was waiting a bit for everyone to get tired and then make the difference, as he knows how to manage races well, and the fact of waiting a little and not overtaking Jack, that caused us to touch each other.”

For the tires, it was a little warmer and there was a little less wind…

“The track was a little warmer but the air was fresh, so I think the tire choice was good, although many took the Hard. All my feelings, even with worn tires, were that the Soft still gave me more performance. And less wind compared to qualifying, that made it possible to often ride in 29, and that's what made the difference. It depends on its direction, but there the wind was less strong and in a direction which was less disruptive than the day before.”

How do you explain that you lost places at the start? Did Petrucci embarrass you?

“No, no: we weren't in the same place at all. Even Jack got a good scare too. In fact, we set off, and I was off to a good start because I pulled the first and second well, and the wheel didn't touch the ground much, to the point where I released it slightly at one point. to have contact in front, and there, from the start, the first corner was hot. But I do well and I dive into the left turn, and I lose the rear! There was already a good catch there: I completely lost the rear because the tire had finally cooled down by the time I took the start. Miller did the same thing and apparently Petrucci also behind, since he shot straight. And me, to really attack from the start. Afterwards, the tire warmed up, but it was hot.”

Find all of Johann Zarco’s other debriefings here!

Photo credit: MotoGP.com