MotoGP Austin J3, Johann Zarco (Ducati/7): "I could never have done the race on Saturday that I was able to do this Sunday"

On the starting grid for the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, Johann Zarco declared on Canal+ that he saw himself finishing seventh or eighth. Under the checkered flag, after 20 grueling laps and unpredictable racing events at the time of his comments, it was the first option that he validated. And even if he loses places in the championship, the Pramac driver continues to score and stay in the top 5…

Johann zarco saw the arrival in Texas and everyone in the clan Ducati cannot say the same. We of course think of the leader Pecco Bagnaia, but also to his teammate Jorge Martin who mowed down, in passing, Alex Marquez. Nine drivers fell in this third round of the championship, including three in the first lap: Alex Marquez, Aleix Espargaró, Martin, Bradl, Nakagami, Mir, bagnaia, Miller, Raul Fernandez... At the same microphone mentioned above, the Frenchman recounted his Texan journey to Austin: “ I was happy with the pace of the race and the sensations. I was able to have enough to fight and keep the pace of these 20 laps which are extremely difficult. It was hot also, there were falls from the start. I got off to a worse start than Saturday, but from the 2nd turn I was still able to get on the rope. There was Martin who went on the outside when he came back into turn 3, he took out Alex Marquez. It was hot. Then Aleix Espargaró who was making sparks, it smelled strange behind him. I wanted to attack him but he fell. It was a technical problem or him, I don't know ».

**Johann Zarco: “ it's a good sign to be able to change the situation from one day to the next »**

After all these emotions, Johann zarco was able to concentrate on his race… “ Afterwards I concentrated and at one point I really had this feeling that I hadn't had during the weekend with good grip on the rear tire, the bike controlled well in the turns. And as a result, I was able to get a good pace below 2'04, which was even better than what I thought before the race. This is where I was able to maintain this pace and try to catch up with Bezzecchi, but the Aprilia did it for me ».

On this objective Bezzecchi, the tricolor mentions: “ I wanted 6th place at the end, Bezzecchi was within my reach, I got closer to him and I didn't manage to attack him. I also didn't want to make a mistake for just one point.. The icing on the cake was 6th place and 10 points but clearly 10 or 9 points, the job had already been well done. We had to be opportunistic again because clearly there are some falls. Austin is difficult for everyone, even Pecco who dominates gets fooled ».

« My feelings were better because based on yesterday's feelings I would never have been able to do the race I was able to do today. So between Saturday and Sunday we have an evolution and that is very important, it is a good sign to be able to change the situation from one day to the next ". He concludes on the championship: “ I was 3^e, I go 5th but I took 9 more points. Everyone is pretty close, it's the start of the championship but as long as we score points we stay in the game ».