Dutch Grand Prix Assen MotoGP J1: Big fall but satisfaction for Johann Zarco

Simply reading the results, 19th in FP1 at 1,850s and 17th in FP2 at 1,556, we would be right to believe that the day was disappointing for those who aspire to enter the top 10 again, and all the more that he suffered a high-speed crash this afternoon at turn 7.

But this is not the case and Johann zarco remains confident after a big improvement in performance observed on his KTM RC16 during the afternoon.

Was it due to the noticeable increase in track temperature throughout the day where did the Frenchman find something? We don't know yet and, in this regard, FP3 will undoubtedly provide the beginnings of an answer tomorrow morning.

Johann zarco : “During the first practice session, I didn't feel like I was in the same category as the others. The improvement made during the second session was then tremendous. We hope to take a big step forward for the third test session. In the morning, I drove in 1'35.7, and in the afternoon, with the same attack, in 1'34.2 min, so I was driving 1,5 seconds faster than in the morning. This makes me believe that the RC16 is ready for further steps. Maybe not that much, again, but maybe 0,7 seconds, which would be great.”

About his fall, the French pilot explains: “The second session was good, as we improved considerably compared to the first session. It gave me the euphoria to go even faster. Obviously, I wanted too much and I fell. But I don't think it's because of the bumps. Too many riders are faster than me, and I don't have time to bother with the bumps. It was just a big fall because it was a fast turn. I was just a little too quick on the go-around.”

The double world champion concludes: “I was immediately able to continue with the second bike and make further small improvements. I am always in a good mood and motivated. Luckily I didn't hurt myself in the fall, because it's always difficult to start a race weekend like that. But I am confident”.

FP2 ranking of the MotoGP Dutch Grand Prix in Assen:

Classification credit: MotoGP.com