The information is now official: Johann Zarco will join the Yamaha Tech3 team next season!
The reigning Moto2 World Champion and current joint leader in the provisional standings this season will make his debut aboard the Yamaha YZR-M1 during the first official test of the 2017 season in Valencia next November.
Zarco signed for one season with another season optioned.
“It goes without saying that I am very happy to join MotoGP with Tech3 and I am certain that we will form a strong partnership,” entrusts zarco.
“The team has a long relationship with Yamaha and has proven that it can handle all situations, having a good package year after year. » “I am delighted and extremely motivated to achieve my goals for the 2017 season.
The association of a French team and a French champion seemed obvious and the announcement of our agreement is excellent news. I will do everything possible to be as prepared as possible because I think it will be entirely possible for me to obtain good results in MotoGP after my long journey in the intermediate category. »
Zarco joins the only French team entered in MotoGP. He will ride in the team of Hervé Poncharal who has already worked with many French drivers in the past such as Olivier Jacque, titled in 2000 under the team's colors, Sylvain Guintoli or even Dominique Sarron and Jean-Philippe Ruggia. More recently, there has been Louis Rossi and Mike Di Meglio in Moto2.
“We haven't had the opportunity to work with a French rider in our MotoGP team since Sylvain Guintoli in 2007, but I'm sure Johann will do an excellent job,” adds Hervé Poncharal. “We have been following him closely since he won the Rookies Cup and he has since enjoyed further success in 125cc and Moto2. Last season was incredible for him and he won the Championship by mastering it perfectly. »
“For me, the arrival of Johann is an important and exciting challenge, and in the garage he will work alongside Guy Coulon. We are very confident in our ability to build a strong relationship and we already know that Johann and Guy already have a lot of points of view in common. I must also mention Laurent Fellon, his coach, friend and someone who has been next to Johann from the start of his career. They both brought a new way of working to our sport and their efforts have paid off over the years, so much so that I can't wait to see what Johann can do on our bike. The best pages in the history of Tech3 were written by French riders, including Olivier Jacque, who won the 250cc title, but also Dominique Sarron, Jean-Philippe Ruggia and Sylvain Guintoli, who also enjoyed success, and I I'm sure Johann will add something to this list. I would like to welcome him and we look forward to seeing him on the bike in Valencia, but my message to Johann for now is to stay focused on his mission and win a second Moto2 title. »
As Hervé Poncharal points out, Johann Zarco can now focus solely on his end of the Moto2 season and try to win a second Moto2 world crown, something that no rider has managed to do since the introduction of the category in 2010.
