MotoGP, Zarco: I have fun in Motegi, this is the result

The raging rookie strikes again. Johann Zarco is no longer a surprise, but in Japan he exceeded even the rosiest of expectations, taking a pole position that few would have predicted. “After the pole in Assen, I did not think I would be able to take another one – the Frenchman begins – especially after a few difficult races, but it happened and I am enjoying the moment. We followed our work schedule from the first practice session, continuously improving my confidence on the bike. It was helpful to have all the practice sessions in the same conditions, namely wet, since we were able to work without complications.”

Unlike others, the number five rider most definitely got the strategy right for the qualifiers.

“In the last part of the session the conditions were almost dry and if we had had five more minutes, we may have been able to put on slicks. Compared to what had been previously thought I did change my strategy since I chose to use the soft compound at the beginning and the extra soft at the end, and that choice worked.”

Helping the only Yamaha rider who seemed to be in form was certainly the track, which the Frenchman likes a lot and where he took his first win in 125.

“This track has excellent grip and I usually complain about that, whereas this time it worked in my favour. I have had great satisfactions on this track. I won my first 125 race here and I developed experience. I have fun riding and maybe that is the secret. The other Yamaha riders? I don’t think the wet is the problem since Viñales was fast in Misano. Maybe the excellent grip here was a problem for them.”

Thinking of tomorrow, it is hard not to imagine a win, especially if the conditions are the same as today.

“It’s hard to make a prediction for tomorrow. It could be a flag-to-flag race. It would also be great to race on a dry track. We have never practiced in those conditions, but starting from the pole could help me. On the other hand, if it rains we will use the data we’ve collected and in that case the pole could also help since when you are in a group, visibility is not the best. It would be nice to win and it is possible. It will definitely be more difficult than a backflip."