The press conference, as a prologue to the British Grand Prix which will focus our attention this weekend, was notably marked by the cases of Lorenzo and Zarco. Two riders looking for thrills on their new motorcycle. For the Majorcan, as for the Frenchman, doubt has corroded morale to such an extent that the idea of leaving and questioning has taken hold. The Honda official did not follow through with this process, unlike the KTM factory rider. Valentino Rossi commented on the Zarco case while remembering his dark period at Ducati. But the Doctor had his back planned…
The fact that Johann zarco terminate cooperation with factory team KTM at the end of the 2019 season was also a topic on the agenda of the press conference opening the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Valentino Rossi et Cal Crutchlow have had similar experiences and have given their insight into the Frenchman's position.
When Valentino Rossi left Yamaha after the 2010 season, because the Japanese had a crush on the youngster Jorge Lorenzo, he went to Ducati. An arrival with the reds which would mark a dark period in his career. The Doctor then returned to Yamaha, after two unsuccessful seasons.
Public chat Yamaha , the two-time Moto2 world champion was hailed as the future MotoGP champion and he reached the podium six times in his first two years with Tech3. With the KTM, alas, the story is very different, so much so that Johann zarco asked the management of KTM, during the Spielberg weekend, to terminate the contract at the end of the season. Originally, the collaboration was expected to last until the end of the 2020 season.
« When I was at Ducati I felt in the same situation " said Red in England. “ There were high expectations at the time, from the outside, but also from myself and from Ducati. We wanted to be competitive and try to win. Unfortunately, I didn't feel very good with the bike, especially with the front wheel. Maybe Zarco knows the same thing. If you are in such a situation, it is very difficult. You lose your motivation and satisfaction. Normally you think positive before every race and believe that you can fight well. Suddenly you see everything negative. If you don't like driving, things will become much more difficult: going to town, talking to journalists, everything. You can barely sleep and you're going through a tunnel ».
The 40-year-old Yamaha star continues: “ When I was riding for Ducati, I often thought about stopping. In the end, it was a very good decision not to give up. If you stop and don't have a motorcycle to ride, you can easily get out of the market. I had some good races then and finished on the podium in Misano, but it was the right decision. When Zarco told me this, I thought he had another option for next year. But it seems like it's not like that. Such decisions are difficult and different for everyone. Everyone feels different. If he wants, I think he will come back soon with a motorcycle ».
Cal Crutchlow, who was also not happy with Ducati in 2014 and wanted to join Honda, added: “ When I left Ducati back then I had another option. Johann is stuck in his career now, but we all know how talented he is. He got on the podium and is a very fast driver. He's a world champion. Leaving without another job lined up is a desperate situation. I hope he finds something he likes. If you no longer enjoy racing and you experience this for an entire season, you are having a difficult year. ».
