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MotoGP, Zarco: "At Suzuka, I realized the problems were also in my head."

"I was stuck, and testing the EWC bike helped me look at things differently and ride better in the MotoGP too. The test team? I hope it changes something, because the 2025 project is the same as 2024, if not worse."

MotoGP: Zarco:

His first season as an LCR team rider was probably one of the most complex in Johann Zarco's MotoGP career. He ended the season  in 17th place with a total of 55 points. Certainly not the result he aspired to at the beginning of the year, but the French ride can still console himself with the fact that he was the best rider in  Honda.

Above all, it was the points achieved consistently in the latter part of the season that allowed the 34-year-old to put himself behind both experienced teammate Takaaki Nakagami and the factory HRC riders. In fact, Joan Mir and Luca Marini didn't get any further than 21st and 22nd in the championship, only racking up a paltry 35 points between the two.

In an interview with Paddock-GP, the transalpine rider  spoke about his difficult year and how his participation in the Suzuka 8 Hours helped him change his mindset and make a difference on his fellow brandmates.

"It's good to have been able to evolve, even mentally, during the year. And I think that happened after I tested the bike in the Suzuka 8 Hours, where I realized that I actually had almost the same comments and problems as in the MotoGP," he said. "So, I said to myself, 'well, whatever problems you have in the MotoGP, you also have problems in your head! You're stuck with feelings and beliefs that need to be let out. Look at the subject differently.' When I started doing that, I started riding the MotoGP much better, within its limits because we're still far off, but that's what allowed me to make a big difference at the end of the year compared to the other riders."

Winning the prestigious Japanese endurance race, a famous event in the World Endurance Championship, not only served to restore the two-time Moto2 class champion's morale, but it also reminded him of what it takes to be performance-oriented on the bike.

"The Endurance bike is considered the best bike, and I realized that I expected it to be much easier. In fact, going fast, with any bike, isn't easy and especially requires a certain technique," he explained. "It was a good reminder for me not to lose that technique or know how to adapt it."

Although the RC213V has proven that it still has major limitations despite its efforts throughout the season, taking advantage of concessions,  it's essential for Zarco to start over at least from the level he had in the last races of last year. "It's imperative because, if we go back and try to evolve again, we'll always be behind," he commented.

Although the current situation isn't the greatest, the LCR rider hasn't lost his motivation.

"There's a goal within the goal. We try to be in the top ten, to progress, but let's say that, as long as I can keep being the first Honda rider, this will allow me to maintain credibility. So, whatever the level of the bike is, if I remain the number one of the brand, the brand will continue to have confidence in me," he specified.  "Above all, though, we have to aim for 2027 when, thanks to the change in the regulations and the bikes, there could all of a sudden be an advantage for Honda or the Japanese."

In the more immediate term, a big help could come from Honda's new home test team.

"Will it change things? I hope so. I'm curious to see how things will go after the first test in Malaysia, even if only in the shakedown. At the moment, the 2025 project is no better than the 2024 project. In fact, it's as if 2024 weren't good enough, since the 2025 project is the same, if not worse," Johann concluded.

 

Translated by Leila Myftija

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