The two-time Moto2 World Champion's learning on the Tech 3 team's Yamaha continues positively in Australia. On this difficult track, Johann must not only familiarize himself with an infinitely more powerful machine, but also with more sophisticated electronics, a different technical team and Michelin tires including some prototypes.
During his discovery of the M1 and facing a competitive field in Valencia, Johann placed his Team Tech 3 Yamaha barely more than a second (1.040) behind leader Maverick Vinales. He was 0.06 behind his new teammate Jonas Folger, also a rookie in the category.
Taking the Spaniard and the German as a basis, at the end of the three days of Sepang testing, Zarco was 0.4 behind Maverick, while he was ahead of Jonas by half a second. The first day here at Phillip Island ended in fifteenth position, 1.3 behind leader Marc Marquez. What was especially important for Johann was to learn the mastery of a machine as powerful as the M1 on the very particular Australian track, different from the tracks of Valencia and Sepang.
While developing his aptitude for this specific circuit, Zarco also had the delicate mission of testing the new front and rear tires made available to the drivers by Michelin, which is never an easy task for a beginner in the category.
« The day started well and we tested some tires for Michelin, which was positive, thought Johann, because I was able to shoot regularly and quickly, while enjoying being able to give them my comments. In the end I produced a time that was under 1'30, which I'm happy with and I'm going to sleep well tonight. I will then do my best to improve further tomorrow ».
In 1'30.867 on the first day, Johann improved considerably on the second as he improved by about a second in 1'29.880. He was then positioned 1.033 behind the best time in Vinales.
« The second day in Australia was good and I will leave the track smiling. The conditions were even better today because there was less wind so it was more comfortable and pleasant to ride."
"I 'I've done a lot of laps to continue to get used to this circuit on a MotoGP machine and I'm making progress but there are a few corners that I need to understand better to gain confidence. ».
