Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) was both the top Independent Team rider and top rookie on Day 1 at a rain-affected Aragon GP, going third fastest on the combined timesheets behind only Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) and Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team).
Johann Zarco, P3: "Pretty happy about the first day. I have to learn the track on a MotoGP bike for the first time and in the wet conditions I can take more time, so I don’t need to stress too much, like when you have to push in the dry from the first lap, which can be quite difficult and make you tired on Sunday. So I am happy that it was wet and he feeling for me was quite good – for Misano I didn’t have good confidence in the wet, especially because of the track, but here the track feels good and I could improve lap after lap and manage well. Even this afternoon, I lost some positions but then I kept calm, waited a little bit and pushed for the last lap and it was quite good. Now I am ready for Aragon, so I’m waiting for tomorrow!"