It's been ages since we last saw Johann zarco at such a party in a MotoGP Grand Prix. Since Le Mans, where it ended badly to open a bad series, while his last appearance in the top 5 under the checkered flag dated from the last Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez. An eternity in MotoGP space-time. The overseas campaign couldn't have started better for our Frenchman and his compatriots from Tech3...
Because the latter also had the satisfaction of seeing their Syharin get back into the game by placing in twelfth place, synonymous with the best beginners in the category. All in an atmosphere of renewed form for the Yamaha. After having lived the undress of Aragon two weeks ago, nothing could please the supporters of the M1 anymore…
The one who finished first among the independent drivers commented: “ It's a track that I like. The test had already been good in February. During the weekend I struggled because it was difficult for me to get into a good rhythm, but in the end I wasn't that bad. I could stay with the leading group, but there was always an acceleration gap. In this case, you have to compensate for this when braking, which is not without the risk of making mistakes. ».
« I had to fight with Viñales at the start, but I made a mistake, then I had to fight to catch up. The pace was good. Then I saw Rins, I could push even more and overtake Crutchlow, then Pedrosa fell. So it was a tough race. It was difficult for me, but I think it was also difficult for them and in the end I fought with Rins, who was in front of me. I felt good enough to catch him, but I knew I had to stay focused to not make any mistakes.
Finally, he went a little too wide in turn 9 and I was able to pass him for fifth position. I'm quite happy because I'm not far from the winner and being the first independent is very good for the championship ».
Thai Grand Prix, Buriram, MotoGP J.3: classification
| 1 | 93 | Marc Márquez | Honda | 39'55.722 |
| 2 | 4 | Andrea Dovizioso | Ducati | +0.115 |
| 3 | 25 | Maverick VIÑALES | Yamaha | +0.270 |
| 4 | 46 | Valentino ROSSI | Yamaha | +1.564 |
| 5 | 5 | johann zarco | Yamaha | +2.747 |
| 6 | 42 | Alex Rins | Suzuki | +3.023 |
| 7 | 35 | Cal Crutchlow | Honda | +6.520 |
| 8 | 19 | Alvaro BAUTISTA | Ducati | +6.691 |
| 9 | 9 | Danilo PETRUCCI | Ducati | +9.944 |
| 10 | 43 | Jack Miller | Ducati | +11.077 |
| 11 | 29 | Andrea Iannone | Suzuki | +15.488 |
| 12 | 55 | Hafiz Syahrin | Yamaha | +17.691 |
| 13 | 41 | Aleix Espargaro | Aprilia | +21.413 |
| 14 | 21 | Frank MORBIDELLI | Honda | +22.802 |
| 15 | 38 | Bradley SMITH | KTM | +23.628 |
| 16 | 45 | Scott REDDING | Aprilia | +23.804 |
| 17 | 17 | Karel ABRAHAM | Ducati | +32.507 |
| 18 | 10 | Xavier SIMEON | Ducati | +37.216 |
| 19 | 81 | Jordi TORRES | Ducati | +39.204 |
| 20 | 12 | Thomas LUTHI | Honda | +39.421 |
| 21 | 44 | Pol Espargaró | KTM | +53.388 |
| 22 | 30 | Takaaki NAKAGAMI | Honda | 2 lapses |
| Not Classified | ||||
| 26 | Dani PEDROSA | Honda | 8 lapses |
