Zarco was unlucky at Misano

Starting sixth, Johann Zarco perhaps expected a little more from this San Marino GP. However, the Riviera had to surrender after only a few meters. 

Author of a less explosive start than his opponents, Zarco dived into the first right turn only to be hit by Brad Binder. The KTM rider touched the handlebars of the Frenchman who ended his race in the gravel trap, taking Michele Pirro and Pol Espargaro with him. “At least I will have energy for Tuesday,” Zarco joked after the race. It was a difficult weekend and we didn't start it well. We were unable to rectify the situation. We tried, but we didn't find any solutions (…) The qualifications weren't bad, but I knew it was going to be difficult. I missed my start, but it wasn't as dramatic as Spielberg. »

Surprised by Binder, Zarco could do nothing to avoid the collision. “I wasn’t expecting it here because it was narrow,” he said. I crashed and took Pirro and Espargaro with me. I have nothing, luckily, and we have to move on. Tuesday and Wednesday, it will be good to ride and work on what we haven't found (…). I'm disappointed and it pushes me to take another step to feel even stronger. I try and train for it. We will also try different things on the bike to give me more feeling and more possibilities. »

 “Bastianini was impressive” – Johann Zarco (San Marino GP)

But what did Zarco suffer from during the three days in Misano? “I couldn't stop (the bike) well in the corners,” he replied. Behind the others, it was a little difficult to manage. I couldn't do better. When I wanted to relax, I fell on Friday afternoon. My feeling wasn't bad, but we stayed with that all weekend and it's a shame. Hence the advantage of the test in trying to change things. We work well with Jean-Michel (Bayle). My style has progressed to use the front of the bike more and be better at braking. We see that we have to take another step, because the level is very high. »

Race already over for Johann Zarco! ❌

The Frenchman is caught in a collision after a very bad start… 😩#SanMarinoGP ▶ https://t.co/Znap1zcwgm pic.twitter.com/UfFn2Sqnbv

— CANAL+ MotoGP™ (@CanalplusMotoGP) September 4, 2022

Sunday in San Marino, Francesco Bagnaia still placed a Ducati on the first step of the podium. “For me, he finds the feeling he had last year, but earlier, even before the end of mid-season,” Zarco said. It's true that he had a bit of trouble at the start, but also a bit of bad luck like in Barcelona. It cost him points while Fabio won. I've seen it for a while. He even said in Argentina that it was already not bad (…). The times they did were super impressive. Bastianini was impressive. He is fully in his role as Ducati leader and he does it very well. He is in his zone and I am not there. »

Two important days of testing 

Next Tuesday and Wednesday, the MotoGP riders will meet in Misano for two days of official testing. For factories, it is an opportunity to continue the development of their new machine for the coming season. Zarco will also take the opportunity to try to find solutions to the problems he encountered on the Adriatic coast. “We plan to try things for 2023,” he said. But I don't know what I'm going to test, because I like it when the technicians do it. In addition to that, we will test other things for my personal feeling. » 

Among the only ones to use the ride height device at the front (banned from next year), Zarco will also make some comparisons. “I don’t feel a huge difference with or without it,” he commented. I felt that I liked it, because on a theoretical and practical level, by lowering the front, you pitch up less and you can accelerate. I told myself that I would benefit from it one day, but it hasn't paid off yet. My feeling has progressed, so maybe I will feel more differences with and without. We will confirm this during the test. »