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The Superbike riders testing at Jerez these days will also be joined by some of the MotoGP riders. This is the case of Johann Zarco, who is taking advantage of the two days of testing to join the group. The French rider, promoted this year to the Pramac team, will in fact be out on track on the Panigale V4S, the road version of the Bolognese manufacturer.
It will be a couple of days of training that he will share with Michele Pirro, for the occasion his team-mate in the garage, and also with the same bike. Taking to the track on the Andalusian track will not be like taking part in MotoGP tests, but it is certainly an opportunity not to be wasted for the Frenchman.
"I am happy to have this opportunity - said Zarco - for me the Jerez test will be a training session with the aim of regaining confidence after so many months without a bike. Initially I was planning another test in February, together with amateur riders, but unfortunately it was cancelled, so I aim to make the most of these two days at Jerez. In fact, I'm curious to see how I will go, especially in view of March ”.
Alongside you will have Michele Pirro. Is this already like working from a MotoGP perspective?
“Michele is a very good person and with the street version bike I am convinced he will be fast and together we will have some fun. I've read that Vinales will also come, so it's a bit like finding yourself in a MotoGP atmosphere. The most important thing, here in Jerez, will be to find good weather, because if it rains, I won't ride. In fact, I don't want to take any risks, since I only have this bike (smiles) ”.
Johann, 2020 was your first year at Ducati, where you showed a style that was in some ways "particular", which made the factory riders look bad in some cases…
“I don't know if I have a particular style or not, what is certain is that I had to learn quickly. I still have some points where I suffer in comparison with Miller and Pecco, as well as with Dovizioso. However, Dall'Igna enjoyed seeing my riding style and at the same time a Ducati capable of adapting to more riders. The encouraging aspect, at the end of 2020, is to have seen at least one Ducati that is always competitive on every track ".
Now you are restarting from Pramac. Where do you think Zarco can arrive?
“I aim to be on the same level as Jack, which is to fight for the podium and the victory. Last season saw several riders get on the top step of the podium and I am convinced that I can win in Pramac, because this team has everything to achieve success and is ready to do so. "
Is there one rider you will take as a benchmark?
“I don't have any particular rider to focus on. However, Dovizioso remains the best example to follow, given what he has achieved in recent years with victories and podiums. Andrea had in fact control over everything and for me he certainly remains a benchmark”.
Do you think Ducati will miss someone like Dovizioso?
“I hope he won’t be missed, because that would mean that we are working well and in the right direction. In 2021 Ducati will have hungry and competitive riders, who will be able to improve the bike's growth ”.
Ducati aside. Have you heard from Marquez?
“No, I didn't get to hear from him. I wrote to him this summer, after Jerez, to wish him a speedy recovery, but then I never had any opportunity. "
