Valentino Rossi: Johann Zarco doesn't understand how to overtake
Valentino Rossi suggested MotoGP rookie Johann Zarco 'does not understand' how to overtake cleanly, after their latest coming together during the Dutch TT on Sunday
Having taken pole in the wet on Saturday, Tech3 Yamaha rider Zarco led the first 11 laps of the dry race before being passed by Rossi's works machine.
Zarco tried to retaliate immediately, ducking up the inside of Rossi at the long Turn 3/Turn 4 right-hander, but succeeded only in clipping the rear of Rossi's bike with his front and dropping back.
The pair had previously come together at Austin in April, when Rossi received a penalty for corner-cutting after their incident.
"I start to think he's not a bad guy, he just doesn't understand the size between one bike to the other," said Rossi, who went on to win the race.
"Like in Austin, he tried something impossible.
"I don't know why, it was just my line.
"When you overtake another you have to calculate also that the other one cannot disappear."
Zarco said he was just trying to take advantage of Rossi running slightly wide as he completed his pass.
"He went a little bit wide twice, so I immediately took the opportunity," explained Zarco.
"I wanted to keep leading because it would be better for me to keep the pace, being the leader.
"I really tried to keep the corner speed inside, but his corner speed was quite good so we were both on the right side - I am on his right with my head totally to the right.
"I cannot see, I just take the decision and I wait [to see] if we will have contact or not."
Zarco admitted he then went "from hero to zero" when he pitted for wets as what turned out to be a mild rain shower it.
He also received a pitlane speeding penalty and finished 14th.
"When it began to rain, I was really scared with the slick tyres," Zarco explained.
"We were already on the limit when it's dry so you can imagine when it's a little bit wet you can crash and I didn't want to take this risk.
"If it was raining more then I could be a god, but finally [I went] from hero to zero."
He said he was influenced by Assen's reputation for changing weather and the downpour that hit the morning warm-up.
"When the marshal was putting out the flag about the rain, I was thinking, 'Dutch marshals, they know the weather too'," said Zarco.
He doubted he would have held on at the front even if it had stayed dry.
"My two negative points on the track were too important to fight for victory," he admitted.
"It's on fast changing direction. It is very specific things on this track, even in Moto2 I had some problems and it's my style that makes that thing difficult."
Previous article
Petrucci believes traffic stopped him from beating Rossi at Assen
Next article
'Very slow' Jorge Lorenzo had 'nothing to lose' with Assen pitstop
Marc Marquez is back
MotoGP Starting Grid: Portugal Grand Prix
MotoGP Starting Grid: Doha Grand Prix
Marc Márquez's first ride after his injury
Marc Marquez continues his recovery
How ‘El Diablo’ and ‘the Beast’ starred in MotoGP’s Misano contest
On a day each of the podium trio could claim to be the star of the show, the San Marino Grand Prix will be remembered as a pivotal race in both MotoGP’s present and future. While Fabio Quartararo demonstrated his world title credentials just behind Francesco Bagnaia’s flawless victory charge, a new threat emerged from the shadows
How Ducati’s Aragon MotoGP win harks to its past and its future
Duelling against Marc Marquez at the Aragon Grand Prix, Francesco Bagnaia came out on top to secure a long overdue MotoGP victory. As Marquez likened Bagnaia to a Ducati title contender of old, it appears the Italian rider could finally start to fight for wins on a more regular basis
Why Dovizioso is more of a temporary fix than a Yamaha gamble
OPINION: The return of Andrea Dovizioso to the grid at Misano will be an interesting subplot to the remainder of the 2021 MotoGP season. But the circumstances that have led to the former Ducati rider ending his sabbatical point to his signing being one more of convenience than a long-term commitment
Why the British GP was a triumph for MotoGP
OPINION: The 2021 British Grand Prix was a historic day for MotoGP. At the centre of it was Aleix Espargaro on the Aprilia after securing its first podium in the modern MotoGP era. It was something of a full-circle moment that highlighted just how far MotoGP has come in the last decade
Why Silverstone should be regarded as MotoGP's rightful UK home
OPINION: Many of the UK’s MotoGP fans would prefer Donington Park to host the British GP beyond the expiry of Silverstone's current deal. But the circuit's fast, flowing circuit provides the best racing and should be regarded as its best bet for the foreseeable future
How MotoGP's record smasher is facing his toughest challenge
The 2020 MotoGP season was an utterly enthralling affair, but few would argue with you if thought it the world championship was a poorer place without its biggest star Marc Marquez. In an exclusive interview, he explains the challenges he's faced in his comeback from injury and what he makes of the current MotoGP landscape
The other Austria 'shock' with major repercussions in MotoGP
The headlines after MotoGP's Austrian GP were naturally dominated by Brad Binder's heroics on slicks in the rain. But although seventh was, on the face of it, a fairly average result in the context of his season, that Fabio Quartararo was in contention for victory before the rain at Yamaha's worst venue should sound alarm bells for his rivals
Why Aprilia is a good bet for Vinales in MotoGP - but won't fix his big problem
The prelude to Maverick Vinales' move to Aprilia has been his tortured exit from Yamaha. But the Spanish rider must put allegations of sabotage, suspensions and unwanted personnel changes aside once he embarks upon his new journey, while Aprilia must find a way to get Vinales firing on all cylinders once again
