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MotoGP France Le Mans J2: Johann Zarco gives his version of his penalty

by | May 15, 2022

Johann Zarco qualified on the second row of his French Grand Prix with a good sixth time which put him de facto among the leading group. But he was penalized three places by the officials in the evening for having hampered Pol Espargaró at the end of Q2, so that he will start ninth, which changes the situation in this tight competition that is MotoGP. 'Today. The Pramac Ducati rider gives his version of the facts…

It's a disappointment waiting to happen Johann zarco before the lights go out at Le Mans, the site which welcomes this weekend with popular jubilation the MotoGP French Grand Prix, seventh round of the season. Happy to camp on the second row before launching into the race, he was disappointed to learn that he would have to move back three places and therefore one row for having hindered Pol Espargaro during qualifying.

A withdrawal which inevitably undermines his strategy which he had thus exposed before the ax fell: “ it will be crucial to stay close to the leading group to bring back a good result ". But he has almost already lost contact. A tip for the Frenchman who recognizes this weakness: “ FP4 wasn't great in terms of results, but we kept working to find something that made me feel more comfortable. We're not quite there yet, but we're making progress. I feel like I can get involved and that's important » he said about this exercise carried out in racing conditions.

Difficult starting position for Johann Zarco

Johann Zarco: “ I didn't wait for anyone, I wanted to make room« 

There remain the facts. The double French Moto2 World Champion gives his version: “ it's true, I hindered him in the chicane », confessed Johann Zarco on speedweek. " I had just done two flying laps and then I missed the entrance to the chicane a little. I knew I couldn't get any better and I wanted to veer to the right. What I didn't know was that Pol was really that close. I'm sorry I disturbed his turn. But I didn't wait for anyone, I wanted to make room – but unfortunately he was closer than I could have guessed ". It now remains to start a fire...

Jean Zarco

MotoGP France Le Mans J2: Starting grid

FRENCH MOTOGP, LE MANS – FULL QUALIFYING RESULTS
POS RIDER NAT TEAM TIME/DIFF LAP MAX
1 Francis Bagnaia ITA Ducati (GP22) 1'30.450s 7/9 318 k
2 Jack Miller AUS Ducati (GP22) + 0.069s 7/9 318 k
3 Alex Espargaro SPA Aprilia Racing (RS-GP) + 0.159s 8/8 316 k
4 fabio quartararo FRA Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) + 0.238s 3/8 315 k
5 Enea Bastianini ITA Gresini Ducati (GP21) + 0.261s 7/9 319 k
Johann zarco FRA Bow Ducati (GP22) + 0.413s 7/8 318 k
6 Joan mir SPA Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) + 0.493s 6/7 316 k
7 alex rins SPA Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) + 0.527s 6/8 315 k
8 George Martin SPA Bow Ducati (GP22) + 0.618s 3/7 316 k
9 Johann zarco FRA Bow Ducati (GP22)
10 Marc Marquez SPA Repsol Honda (RC213V) + 0.698s 6/7 314 k
11 Espargaro Pol SPA Repsol Honda (RC213V) + 1.076s 4/8 314 k
12 Takaaki Nakagami JPN Honda LCR (RC213V) + 1.145s 4/9 314 k
Qualifying 1:
13 Marco Bezzecchi ITA Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP21)* 1'30.94s 8/8 316 k
14 Maverick Vinales SPA Aprilia Racing (RS-GP) 1'31.271s 7/8 315 k
15 Luca marini ITA Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP22) 1'31.363s 9/9 315 k
16 Fabio DiGiannantonio ITA Gresini Ducati (GP21)* 1'31.487s 8/8 315 k
17 Miguel Oliveira POR Red Bull KTM (RC16) 1'31.547s 6/8 311 k
18 Brad Binder RSA Red Bull KTM (RC16) 1'31.61s 3/8 307 k
19 Franco Morbidelli ITA Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) 1'31.617s 7/9 314 k
20 Andrea Dovizioso ITA WithU Yamaha RNF (YZR-M1) 1'31.618s 7/9 310 k
21 Alex Marquez SPA Honda LCR (RC213V) 1'31.763s 3/9 317 k
22 Remy gardner AUS KTM Tech3 (RC16) * 1'31.82s 6/8 312 k
23 Darryn binder RSA WithU Yamaha RNF (YZR-M1) * 1'32.596s 2/7 313 k
24 Raul fernandez SPA KTM Tech3 (RC16) * 1'32.767s 7/8 311 k

*Rookie

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