Another missed opportunity for Zarco at MotorLand

Two Ducatis will occupy the first two places on the starting grid for the Aragon GP, ​​but that of Johann Zarco will start from the fourth row. As at Silverstone, the Cannes native, who had to go through Q1, missed the opportunity to get closer to the front in Q2. “I’m a little disappointed,” he confided. I'm angry because qualifying ended. I missed my last run with the new tire, just like at Silverstone. And the only turn I was able to attack, I made a mistake. »

Despite this slight underperformance, Zarco draws positive points from it. “We had the potential for a place on the second line,” he added. There was a lot of anger, but in FP4, or even in Q1, we found our feeling again and I enjoyed riding the bike. We must be satisfied. Tomorrow, it will be about accentuating this feeling which is returning. »

“We have to put things into perspective and the feeling was much better this afternoon, which bodes well for the race” – Zarco

Plagued by compartment syndrome in his right arm on certain circuits, Zarco has so far not suffered at MotorLand. “I'm glad I'm not suffering from that and I feel like I can still hold on. Until when, I don’t know,” he replied.

The Frenchman had to go through the repechage for the third time this season. And each time that happened, it was because he finished just outside the Top 10 in the three free practice sessions. “The lack of performance on the day is not a big deal,” said Zarco, who missed Q2 by 52 thousandths in FP3. Being 11^e, we say it's a bad day, but on the contrary... we have to put things into perspective and the feeling was much better this afternoon, which bodes well for the race. »

😎 @JohannZarco1 maintains his 100% Q2 record in 2021!

@BradBinder_41 joins him but last year's winner @Rins42 misses out, and will start P20! 😱#AragonGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/TXnS0L6mxV

— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) September 11, 2021

Even starting from 10^e place, Zarco knows that he can do well: “Get back into the top six, approach his places and keep pace,” this is the objective he sets for himself, but the unknown will once again lie in the tires. “The tire will deteriorate,” he explained. We have to see how it will happen with the tire which is deteriorating. This is what will come into play tomorrow. The tender can race. Even if it can deteriorate, we can leave faster. Many people think about making this choice because it is more difficult to perform well with others. »

The strategy will therefore be to set the pace straight away, even if it means slowing down as the tires wear out. Many protagonists will fight for victory. “Miller attacked well and Bagnaia had the confidence he looks for every time, in apotheosis and in perfect alchemy with the bike. Marquez, his bike is working well, and with Martin behind, it could complicate Fabio's work. Mir can be very strong, but at the start of the race, we will have the advantage, that's almost certain. »

Small reminder, Alex Rins won the Aragon GP last year starting from 10^e place on the grid…