It's done ! The Ducati line-up is fixed and the youth card is played to the fullest. The eldest of the new Borgo Panigale troop will in fact be called Johann Zarco and he has been placed within the Pramac satellite team. A disappointment at having missed the red train? Nope. The Frenchman takes stock and he knows where he is coming from, what he has and what he is promised. He will have a state-of-the-art Desmosedici while he has already convinced with a GP19 within the Avintia team. The double Moto2 World Champion is delighted…
He who loses wins. This is how we could summarize the situation of Johann zarco about what awaits him in 2021. He won't be with a red Ducati, but it will still be better than his current GP19. He will have a latest generation Desmodedici within a Pramac team which shows that he does not count for nothing in the adventure of the Borgo Panigale brand in MotoGP.
The Frenchman thus assesses the latest events concerning him in comments relayed by speedweek from the pen of Maximilian Wendl: “ Ducati officials told me they wanted to wait and see how Francesco Bagnaia returns after his injury. After that they decided, but by the end of August I knew I would definitely have a place in 2021 ».
The comparison of the races in Misano and Catalonia clearly goes to bagnaia. The Italian was second on the podium at the San Marino Grand Prix, led Misano II for a long time and also scored more points despite his crash. In Montmeló, he rose from 20rd place Friday after the free practice sessions in sixth place in the race. Johann zarco finished 15th (Misano I), tenth (Misano II) and suffered a retirement. In the three races he collected only six championship points. “ He achieved three best races ", admits zarco. “ It makes sense that Ducati made this decision. I was also told that my fall in Spain did not influence the decision ».
A racing event which could indeed have been boring since it madeAndrea Dovizioso collateral damage. With the consequence of losing leadership in the championship. In fact, and given the general atmosphere, the tricolor admits: “ Ducati makes me happy. I found stability there ».
“I thank Ducati for the support and trust they have placed in me”
A turnaround which deserves to be underlined if we are willing to remember that the catastrophic 2019 season experienced by the Cannes resident. After Wednesday's announcement, he wrote on his social media: “ I thank Ducati for the support and trust they grant me. Now I want to focus on the performance with my team this season and get a few places on the podium.”
On his 2021 goals with Pramac, he said: “ we have not defined any results. What is clear, however, is that I have to play up front. I want to participate in all races for the podium ". He will be joined by Jorge Martin who will make his debut in MotoGP. The Moto2 newcomer is currently still under contract with the Red Bull KTM Ajo racing team. zarco also won his two titles with this team. “ I don't really know him. But it's always interesting when drivers follow a similar path » thinks the current teammate of Tito Tabat.
It has not yet been decided who will succeed John Zarco at Esponsorama Avintia. Negotiations are still ongoing. Team owner Raúl Romero has a valid contract with 31-year-old Tito Rabat for 2021, which brings in a lot of money but is struggling to keep up. Enea Bastianini aged 22 will be in the walls, but it is said that Luca marini, 23, could push the Spaniard towards the exit.
