Johann Zarco keeps up with the best despite "problems" in Catalonia

After setting the fastest time in Friday's practice session at Le Mans, Johann Zarco followed up with a second consecutive strong Friday in Barcelona. Fifth in a session that guaranteed qualification for the top ten, and less than a tenth of a second off Pedro Acosta's benchmark (1:38.710), the Frenchman has another opportunity to qualify well on Saturday. However, behind this result, the number 5 rider describes a day that was far more complex than it appeared.

Regarding a dramatic end to the session in Barcelona, ​​during which he qualified by the skin of his teeth, the Cannes native gives the following account: “On the last tire, on the first lap I missed the braking point; I had a great slipstream with Maverick Viñales, but I couldn’t stop,” Johann Zarco told the media present in Catalonia. On the next lap, I had a great first corner, but the bike was shaking me, which made me shift down to fourth.

And he continued: " Taking turn 3 in fourth gear, I lost the rear because the electronic settings weren't right. So I told myself I couldn't afford to burn out my tire, hoping I could continue on it. I didn't have much hope, because with three laps on a tire, it gets complicated, but it worked out well. I'm very happy.

An encouraging result, but one that doesn't erase the difficulties encountered by the Honda LCR rider during the day. If he manages to resolve them, however, he anticipates a very positive end to the weekend. “Barcelona is a track I like, but since this morning the bike's handling hasn't been good. We're having issues that aren't even allowing us to manage the lack of grip on the track. The bike is really difficult to handle in the corners. All of this combined makes it complicated. But it's a track I like, and if I can get what I want, it's to get on the podium.”

To do this, he will need to capitalize on Friday's result and aim to improve, something he failed to do at Le Mans, where after an excellent result the rest of his weekend was more complicated, marred by a loss of confidence following a crash during FP2 on Saturday morning.

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