Zarco: “The podium option is difficult for me” 

Johann Zarco will start from seventh place on the starting grid for the race on Sunday on the legendary Assen circuit. It may be the third time this season that he has failed to qualify among the top six, but the Frenchman says he is satisfied with his day. “It was a good day in the dry, it’s good to continue to gain bearings,” he admitted. I knew that in the dry, it's much more intense and technical, with difficulties that bother me. To place the bike at more than 300 km/h, there are points to be had and I lack precision. The bike moves a lot and as soon as it moves, I lose my composure. It bothers me, but I remain competitive. »

“You always have to keep hope, but I feel that there are people who are much better than me”

According to Zarco, the series of 5th, 4th, 3rd and 2nd… could continue with another Top 5, but probably not with a victory… “No matter the conditions, we have a correctly balanced bike,” said the Pramac rider. But the podium option is difficult for me. You always have to keep hope, but I feel that there are people who are much better than me. If we can play the Top 5, that would already be good. »

To come and play for victory or the podium, he will first have to get rid of some of his opponents including Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin who will start from the first row. “He is a little angry about what happened at Sachsenring,” he said about Baganaia. But above all he is the one who drives the Ducati best. » And as for Martin, the French pilot added: “It doesn't matter, that's what's hard to say. A layout may suit a driver better. He wasn't too bad at the Sachsenring, but here, he mainly set very good times behind someone and then took a big step forward. This is his strength. »

To find the last dry victory of a driver who starts from beyond the first two rows, we have to go back to Marc Marquez last year at the Emilia-Romagna GP… It's not impossible , but rare enough to be highlighted.