Zarco was "right to have doubts" about Avintia MotoGP team last year

Johann Zarco says he was "right to have doubts" about the Avintia MotoGP squad at the end of 2019, after scoring pole and a third-place in the Czech Grand Prix

Zarco took the team's first pole on Saturday at Brno by over three tenths, before fending off Suzuki's Alex Rins on the last lap to score its first podium and his first since Malaysia 2018.

The double Moto2 champion was offered a lifeline by Ducati at the end of last year to join Avintia, after he was dropped by KTM after Misano following his request to have his two-year deal terminated early amidst a miserable campaign.

When rumours of Zarco's move to Avintia emerged during the Valencia GP weekend last year, he rejected them and said he'd rather return to Moto2 than go to what he considered wasn't "a top team".

With Avintia becoming an official Ducati satellite team for 2020 and receiving technical support, Zarco eventually agreed a deal to join the outfit.

Following his standout Brno weekend, Zarco believes he was right to hold reservations about Avintia.

"I was right to have doubts about the team last year because I was struggling a lot during the season and I didn't want to struggle even more and they were not having high results," Zarco explained.

"But, also they were like a private team, not a satellite team - it was not the same investment from Ducati and at this level everything is so expensive and all the parts on the bike, all details are so important.

"Now, Ducati is taking care of all these details in the team and we can see that all the Ducati technicians taking care, plus the mechanics are full of passion and they were working well.

"It was not bad work from the [Avintia] mechanics in the past that was missing [the team] the results, it was just that they were always very limited in budget and not having the best parts to compete.

"So that's why they were struggling a lot.

"Now I'm just happy to offer them this good result.

"And all weekend it's good satisfaction because a mechanic or a technician has a big passion, when his rider is doing well, all the team is even stronger."

Zarco botched his launch off the line despite running Ducati's holeshot device, and was sixth on the run to Turn 3 as a result.

Highlighting this as an area for improvement, Zarco says some mistakes during the race "confirmed the things" he has to do on the bike to get the maximum from it.

"The thing I learn is that I need to improve the start, it's gonna be a huge help for the next races," Zarco said.

"But some laps I was feeling good and catching the guys a lot into the corner, on the brake, and then feeling comfortable in the exit.

"And then some laps I was making mistakes.

"So it's just... I cannot say I learned new things, but I confirmed again the things I have to apply perfectly on the bike to then be even stronger and control even better the race."

shares
comments

Aleix Espargaro: Traction of KTM made Aprilia feel like Moto2 bike

Riders react to "super difficult" Algarve joining MotoGP calendar

Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?

Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Lewis Duncan

Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP? Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?

The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better

The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Oriol Puigdemont

The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better

The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form

The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
German Garcia Casanova

The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form

How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team

How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
German Garcia Casanova

How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team

How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years

How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Lewis Duncan

How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years

Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne?

Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne?

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Lewis Duncan

Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne? Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne?

How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023

How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Lewis Duncan

How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023 How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023

How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races

How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Germán Garcia Casanova

How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races

Subscribe