This Thursday, September 16, 2021, John Zarco answered questions from journalists from the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, as a prelude to the Gran Premio Octo di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini.
We went to listen (via teleconferencing software) to the words of the French driver who is now in 4th place in the championship and has left Aragón a little upset.
As usual, we report here the words of John Zarco without the slightest formatting, even if it is partially translated (vouvoiement in English, tutoiement in French).
Johann zarco : " I feel OK and I'm happy to be here in Misano. Above all, after the bad result in Aragón, it's good not to wait too long before getting back on the bike and fighting again. I had good appointments Monday and Tuesday and can schedule surgery next Wednesday to be ready for Austin. So I'm happy with all the information I was able to get, and from there we'll see. I think that, whatever happens, I will be able to fight this weekend because I am used to it, and when the feeling is good, even if it is difficult because of the arm, it is possible to do good things. So I hope to have that kind of feeling.
It looks like we will have tricky conditions and it's even better to keep that energy and play my game: maybe the difficult conditions will help me have a good weekend. »
In Aragón you stated that you were not yet completely sure whether to do this operation. What made you decide?
« In many races, I struggled more on tracks that turned right. That's why I was very close to very good things, then I struggled or sometimes missed the possibility of podiums because of that. This is the reason for the decision to do so. I also had diagnoses on Monday and Tuesday which clearly proved that it was time to do it, otherwise it would limit my possibilities. This is why the decision was made. I'm satisfied with that. With this very good advice, the idea of waiting until after Austin to have two weeks of recovery was logical, but according to this person who is really a specialist in this, one week is enough because it is common and good to make efforts after a week: The body can handle it. I believe it, and above all it will be very difficult for the arms in Austin: All the drivers suffer there. It will be a good experience for me. We are now going to Misano, but without thinking that we will have less power and I will do as I always do »
You said Aragón wasn't a disaster but you still finished quite far behind. How do you rate this race?
« It's hard to say ! During the race in Aragón, I didn't feel any pain but I didn't have the slightest good feeling on the bike. I've always been too slow in running, and that was the problem: I wonder if I was too slow because the body had gone into safety mode, and I hope that's not the case this week-end. So it's hard to say. It's only been three days and during these three days I had three or four appointments to decide, I had to travel everywhere to make the right decision and confirm it, and I also had to drive with my brother and loved friend for nine hours to come here, which didn't leave me much time to evaluate this stuff. »
Regarding the championship, it seems that quite a few drivers are experiencing ups and downs, such as Miguel Oliveira for example. What could be the reasons for this?
« I think there are ups and downs, when you are at the bottom you are very far away because everyone is very close. That's why it seems very far away, but sometimes you're not that far from the top. It's been two years that when you experience a small decline, you are very far away and it seems like you are nowhere. For Miguel it's different from me because he was injured in Austria and I think he's hurting his wrist or his hand, I don't know exactly. But I imagine that it must not be easy for him in this physical condition and perhaps with pain in this specific place. So yes, it seems that we are nowhere, completely lost, but I think that the gap is very small and that we are not as far away as it seems. »
To return to your trip on a Ducati Darmah. Was it a good experience because my father had one?
« You have already been able to read the interviews on this subject. It was good and I had a good time. I shared good things with the team. I could have done it with another bike but I had the opportunity to do it the old fashioned way, and it was fun. Spending quality time with the team further strengthens relationships. »
Will the surgery involve both arms?
« No, only the law! »
Some drivers are protesting not to go to Austin. Do you know ?
« (Laughs) I'm not aware of any protests. I have no idea on that but I really hope we go because we pretty much have to fly next week or in two weeks. So I really hope that we will go, even just for me, because of the surgery, to be able to get back on the bike immediately with good use of the arm: I have to go! So I hope we do. »
For this weekend, it seems that the Ducati is running much better than last year. What do you expect for Ducati at Misano?
« After Pecco's solid victory in Aragón, and since this is perhaps one of his favorite tracks, I believe we will have the perfect example to go fast on a Ducati in Misano. The performance he had last year also helps to understand his great potential, and since I completely missed Aragon in performance, it's good for me to be here and push myself to try to get the same pace as him in order to have a good race. The bikes are also close, so I can't say Ducati will have an advantage, but if you find it you can be as strong as Pecco, so that's a nice motivation. »
Can you tell us which doctor will perform the operation?
« It will be the same one who performed the second operation on Fabio. A French. »
When and where will your operation take place?
« I will do it next Wednesday, in Aix. It's close to home and I had a good feeling with Doctor Dufour who operated on Fabio and who has a lot of experience in this area. This is why Monday and Tuesday I was also able to take the time to confirm this diagnosis of compartment syndrome on my right arm. Hence the decision, not to speed things up, but to take the opportunity to do it as soon as we return from Misano. I was planning to do it after Austin: I was thinking about taking advantage of the 15 days of break, but the advice is that a week is enough to heal very quickly. He says that sometimes if you wait too long, it heals too quickly and the opening almost closes. This is why he advises that a week is enough before attacking again. »
Regarding the championship, have you already said goodbye to the title in your head?
« I think it's not a goal on which I should put all my mind, because I have lost quite a few points against Fabio since the championship resumed this summer in August. For me, a final podium would already be enormous, especially since at the start of the year I was almost aiming for a top 10. So if I finish in the first three, we are still beyond what I could have hoped for, and so I would be the happiest! »
If you had to aim for just one Grand Prix to get a podium or a victory, which would it be?
« All ! All ! All ! »
How do you explain the fact that you never achieved very good results at Misano in MotoGP while you won there in Moto2?
« I do not know yet. It's hard to say. I have my own idea but it needs to be confirmed. As I really lacked performance in Aragón, I think it's great to be here to find feelings different from what I'm used to, to open new doors. If it works here, I would be really happy! »
Is this a circuit that you like?
« Yes, it is interesting! Rather small, at least compared to Silverstone and Aragón we return to a much smaller track, because in MotoGP it's the technique like on a mini bike where you really have to swing from one side to the other. But when you understand that, I think there's definitely a way to enjoy it, so I hope it does. »
