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The relationship between cross and speed legends Jean Michel Bayle and Johann Zarco has ended. The former rider announced it on his social media profiles.
“It’s with disappointment and the feeling of an unfinished challenge that the adventure with Johann Zarco has ended.”
John Michel Bayle, or JMB, after winning two motocross world titles in 1988 and 1989 (one in the 250 and one in the 125), moved to the AMA motocross championship in the United States and, in the second year, in 1991, he won a hat-trick, simultaneously becoming 250, 500 National, and Supercross champion while, in 2000, he was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
Recently, Zarco had chosen him as a coach, and JMB was often by his side, discreetly, in his garage, following an increasingly common practice among top riders.
2023 presents itself as a particularly challenging year for Zarco, with the arrival of many new fast young riders.
At the age of 32, he must finally begin to assert himself in the category. In 2017, after winning his second Moto2 title on the Yamaha Tech 3, he had some brilliant races - also attracting Valentino Rossi’s ire, who was ‘offended‘ by his overtaking to the limit - before moving to the KTM, from which he then separated consensually. Thanks to the joint work of Claude Michy and Gigi Dall’Igna and a replacement in Honda LCR, he joined Ducati. The best possible move, considering the current level of the Desmosedici. However, Johann hasn’t yet won a Grand Prix despite reaching 10 seconds and 5 third places. He finished in 8th place last year.
“Hi, everyone! This message is to announce the end of my collaboration with Johann Zarco,” Bayle explained Bayle. “I analyzed many aspects to work on during the 2022 season, and I was counting on this winter to improve them. For various reasons, it wasn’t possible to implement my training program and strategy for the new 2023 season. I knew that changing habits is difficult, and it’s with disappointment and the feeling of an unfinished challenge that this adventure ends. See you soon for new challenges and new adventures.”
*The photo is relevant to Zarco’s time in the KTM. Bayle was already with him.
