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Johann Zarco has decided to change, and his choice wasn't easy at all, because it meant leaving the Ducati, the best bike of the lot, to get on the Honda, which is currently the worst. The Frenchman accepted the challenge and for the next two years he will wear the colours of the LCR team. It's not the first time because already in 2019 (after his divorce with KTM during that season) the Cannes rider had raced for Lucio Cecchinello's team, for 3 Grands Prix to replace Nakagami who was injured.
“I've made my decision - said Johann - I had the opportunity to continue another year with Ducati, but I wasn't sure I would stay in the Pramac team. Honda, on the other hand, offered me a two-year contract and there's also a project for the future, but it's too early to talk about it."
A longer deal is what convinced him.
“This year I have changed my approach, both in terms of training and in tackling the race weekend, and this gave me a lot of energy to see myself in MotoGP for a long time - he continued - In the past two seasons I've had good results, I often fought for the podium, but this time it was more difficult to renew with Ducati because I didn't have the certainty of staying with Pramac and I didn't want to face the challenge with another team, even if with the best bike at the moment. So, I changed for a new project and, as a sportsman, you have a two-year contract, it's something that made me think because I've only ever had one and it's something stressful every season not knowing if you'll stay. I want to stay in MotoGP for as long as I'm competitive.”
Many riders would have preferred a competitive bike like the Desmosedici over the RC213V, but Zarco needed a new challenge.
“I'm curious about getting on the Honda, I'm sure I’ll have the chance to improve the bike and I’ll be proud if I succeed - he said - I think the first who can win, when there are improvements, will be Marc because he remains an incredible rider. I am happy to have secured my future and to face a new challenge with Lucio. We met a few years ago and I had good feelings with him and with Honda. I'm not scared and indeed I feel more ready than in the past. I had some bad moments with KTM, now I'm leaving Ducati to go to Honda, but I'm more mature and I think I can handle the situation".
Something that he hadn't been able to do in the past…
“In KTM, I couldn’t control my nerves - he admitted - My riding style has also changed a lot in recent years in Ducati, it's not the natural one I had in Yamaha, I'm halfway there and this doesn't help me get good results. I know what's going on, I'm still very competitive and it's a good time to try."
