Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) certainly exploded onto the premier class stage in Qatar, and since then the Frenchman has kept hold of the headlines. With a first podium in France and then top Yamaha in Barcelona, the momentum is on Zarco’s side. The Tech 3 rider caught up with motogp.com ahead of the Dutch GP and the first was a simple question: expectations vs reality?
Johann Zarco: “I didn’t expect to be in this position so early this season. It’s fantastic but when you are a racer it’s the place you want to be. Since the beginning, I’ve felt the bike could be on the podium and now I can see that I can be on the podium when I can control everything. It gave me high motivation to push again and again to get other podiums.”
Getting on the podium – and into the fray at the front – hasn’t been without ruffling some feathers, however – with one of those questioning his aggression Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP). What Zarco can do next – and what he aims to do next – also leads to a mention of the nine-time World Champion, with the Frenchman looking further ahead now he’s a starting to establish himself as a real threat:
JZ05: “The target is to be on a factory bike. Because I think if you want to fight for the title you must be on a factory bike. And if I can be and keep working with Yamaha it would be fantastic. And, why not? I need to be one of the best to deserve to take the position of Valentino and I think it’s all I can wish, hope and push for because it’s an amazing target and a dream for a rider.”