After the incredible start to the season, we took stock with Johann's mentor and friend, after his fantastic fourth place in Jerez and before this important moment which will be the French Grand Prix.
Overtaking Marc Marquez to take second place at home in Jerez at the Spanish Grand Prix is still daring, isn't it?
“It's not daring because in 2012, during his first year in Moto2 at Estoril, Johann narrowly missed the pole he was playing for with Marquez. What Johann did in Jerez in MotoGP is a continuation of what he did before in 125 and Moto2. He started motorcycle racing later than the others, and he later became very good.
Did Johann's thunderous start to the race, attacking the best from the first laps, constitute a strategy or were they opportunities to be seized?
“First of all, he's having fun on the bike. He's having fun on this Yamaha M1. He feels comfortable and so automatically he fights in front and shows his talent.
Many people, including paddock professionals, seem to discover Johann. How do you explain that?
“I think people forget where he comes from. Johann was also good in 125 and Moto2, but we only look at MotoGP. Johann rightly says that we must not forget the small categories. Marc Marquez was good in 125 and Moto2, and we only found him fantastic when he moved to MotoGP. We only look at the top. It's like the 4×4, anyone who doesn't have one isn't happy! The small categories are as beautiful as the big one. Johann made 11 podiums in 125. In Moto2 from the first year he was there, like in Portugal for example.
“Some thought he was going to run out of steam, no longer be there, and suddenly in MotoGP they discovered Zarco! Look closely: Johann did like the Spaniards Dani Pedrosa, Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo, and also like Valentino Rossi. He was good in 125, good in the intermediate category, and now good here. That is to say, he did not skip any steps in his progression. Others skip very important steps in certain categories. You learn every year, and the higher category is a challenge. If you have fought in the other categories, you arrive with some experience in the premier category.
His notoriety has skyrocketed in France. How do you and him manage this sudden increase in his popularity?
“Always with discipline, rigor and pleasure. It's good that we are now recognizing Johann's qualities and work, but we must not stop there. We have a school called ZF Grand Prix, because we don't want to look behind us later when Johann is at the end of his career and see that there are no more French people. Look at the Spaniards: every year there is a new one. Aron Canet who arrives has done all the promotional formulas that exist in Spain, and now he is here. He didn't skip any steps. This all makes sense.
To arrive at the French Grand Prix after three successive races in the top five is simply fabulous. Does that put extra pressure?
“The goal is to protect Johann from this pressure. Because he is a nice person. You have to let him do his job the way he knows how to do it. We will do our best to surround him. Everyone, that is to say the Tech 3 team and me, because the most important thing is that he obtains a good result so that it is a great French Grand Prix, and also for Claude Michy. You have to do everything to highlight the motorcycle. If we protect Johann, he will be good. If we invade it, it will not be good because we will have exhausted it. Let's try to protect him and I think Johann will have a great Grand Prix. »
Photo above: Yesterday Friday in Nîmes at Dubois Motos
