Johann Zarco did not win in this Portuguese Grand Prix which, until this 2022 edition, confirmed in the race the one who had achieved pole position during qualifying. A place at the head of the starting grid which was effectively that of the double Moto2 World Champion, but the latter was unable to do anything against the reigning MotoGP World Champion. Compatriot Fabio Quartararo was too strong this Sunday at Portimao and the Pramac driver readily recognizes this. He reached his second podium of the season, and he took great satisfaction from it.
And for good reason: he is the first Ducati, on a GP22, and he delivered a solid race where he had to fight hard against Alex Marquez furtively, then more at length against Joan mir et Jack Miller, before living under the threat ofAleix Espargaró in a state of grace on his Aprilia. A pressure which did not destabilize him, and it is also a good sign for the future of events in this year where everything seems possible.
On this Portuguese Sunday, he commented: “ it was a French victory, but unfortunately it wasn't me " However… " Yesterday's pole position was a first step towards happiness, today's race was great “, declared the Pramac pilot. “ I lost some time at the start, but found I felt pretty good on the brakes. This gave me confidence and I tried to regain lost positions straight away”.
A reconquest that began with Alex Marquez : " I think when I passed Alex Marquez and then Jack Miller, that was the key moment of my race. Because in P3, I felt good behind Joan Mir – but not enough to think about catching up with Fabio. He was too far away. So it was better to stay behind Joan Mir and stay focused. When Jack Miller got close again I decided to take second because after that they were hanging on. So with this second place, I may have avoided a big accident ».
Johann Zarco: “ Fabio Quartararo is really making things difficult for everyone«
Danger threatened again at the finish, because the winner from Argentina, Aleix Espargaró, was getting closer and closer to the Frenchman. “ At the end, I was a little afraid that Aleix would come because he is going through a great moment in his career. So I knew he could end up being stronger. But I managed to manage my energy in such a way that I was able to attack even more in the last lap. So it was enough for the 20 points”.
Asked about the situation in the championship after this first European race, he replied: “ I understand the point of view that in Europe you can really see who is strong and who has more problems… But there are also too many riders ready for the podium this season. I myself couldn't have expected such a strong race in these conditions », admitted the pilot of 31 years. “ Except for this guy who is really making things difficult for everyone: Fabio has really regained his leadership position, in a perfect way. But that has nothing to do with starting in Europe. He had a great race here in Portimão last year and again today”.
Johann Zarco, fifth in the World Championship, sees his second podium of the season as a positive signal: “ the Ducati works well, but sometimes it's still difficult to reconcile everything. If we - and I say we because there are eight pilots – can really use the potential, I think there will be more Ducati up front ». It's always good to show cohesion when everything doesn't go as planned in a group like Ducati...
Results of the MotoGP Portuguese Grand Prix at the Algarve International Autodrome in Portimão:
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
