Johann Zarco knew the music well before the start of this French Grand Prix, knowing that his Honda would certainly not allow him to play the dream score to sing the Marseillaise at the finish. But his many compatriots in an audience that came en masse on Thursday at Le Mans consoled him and what could have turned into melodrama was transformed into a gentle melody whose refrain was more than present when it came time to take stock...
At the microphone of Canal+, Johann zarco first dispatches current affairs with his Honda : " there was no surprise. I finished 24 seconds behind the winner, but that in 27 laps, so it's less than a second per revolution. That's why there's always a way to tell yourself that a little thing will change a lot. ».
However, the double Moto2 World Champion does not delude himself for long as he continues thus… “ But the, it's this motorcycle base that prevents us from going fast, which prevents us from turning in turns, which prevents us from leaning into turns and It seems absurd to say that, but it's the reality ».
He specifies : " after that maybe there is an error on the aero, but it works and Wednesday in Italy we're going to do some tests and it's going to be good. We will have 2 days to breathe. I don't know what we're going to try because I don't need to know after all. I'll know the whole test plan Tuesday evening and that's enough for me. But me, on this race and even on the weekend in general the fighting side was there and I still felt pleasure in feeling where the bike is and where I am. I manage to fight, I manage to change things about the riding to try to use the bike better, finally everything is very clear and it feels good ».
“We gave everything” 💪
Johann Zarco satisfied with his 12th place, the Frenchman leaves #FranchGP with points! 🇫🇷#MotoGP pic.twitter.com/AuoAcmBsEc
- CANAL + MotoGP ™ (@CanalplusMotoGP) May 12, 2024
Johann Zarco talks about his Honda: “ we have like an anvil that doesn't want to move from start to finish »
He continues on his momentum… “ Afterwards it's hard in the race when, almost 2/10 away, I can't keep up with the guys in front, and yet I really try and so by trying to compensate physically, my right forearm hurts. However, he is operated on, everything is fine, it's not compartment syndrome but it's from forcing, so he's in trouble. We say to ourselves “okay, hold on, maybe it will improve at the end of the race with a little less fuel” because balance on a motorcycle doesn’t matter much. ».
And it is by wanting to develop that the reality of Honda is recalled: “ but there we had like an anvil that wouldn't move from start to finish. I had a little less grip than yesterday and that's what prevented me from really staying with Mir, Oliveira and Fernandez who were there right in front of me. Mir rode well, he always manages to get something out of the long race and it's good behavior on his part to still be able to push hard on Sunday. He fell and that allows me to be first Honda on this French weekend. Here are a few points with the satisfaction of saying “come on, we gave the maximum and we were still able to hold our place”. I managed to manage my effort to keep Nakagami and Fernandez behind, so that's the first satisfaction. Because not finishing a race, for me, is truly the worst feeling ».
This technical part to do, Johann zarco then focuses on the big star of the national event which began on Thursday: the public: “ We remember from a crazy weekend like that that it's worth it to be a French driver at that level because the public appreciates it. It's unique what they gave us this weekend more than even before, even though we're not playing in front. I was expecting some sort of “that’s a shame” compassion, but not at all. I have only been told positive things, “go all out, it will work” and that is a pleasure and clearly I'm coming back from a Le Mans weekend with good energy, the desire to train, the desire to ride the bike because I'm also progressing personally. And suddenly it is clear that there is no no way to let go and this weekend gave even more of that feeling, that desire to progress ". Thank you !
MotoGP, France: Grand Prix classification
Credit classification motogp.com