Having had experience at both KTM and Honda in 2019, double Moto2™ World Champion Johann Zarco is still in the shop window for 2020 and Lin Jarvis has confirmed that he is still a choice to become a Yamaha test rider. The Frenchman had a turbulent 2019 and looks to have options at Avintia Ducati as well as in Marc VDS in Moto2™, although having had positive discussions in the past about a Yamaha test rider role, Lin Jarvis confirmed that “only positives” have happened since then.
Speaking in pitlane during the Official MotoGP™ Test at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team principal Lin Jarvis said: “I spoke to Johann ten days ago and said to him that if his Honda program didn’t work out, then we’re still open to consider him being a test rider for us. He’s expressed an interest to stay racing, so I think the first thing he needs to decide is if he wants to stay racing or, is he interested in testing and that’s really up to him.
“At the moment we’re really in no rush. Let’s see what he decides, considering the new Honda situation presented to him. He’s definitely a consideration. Now he’s even more interesting because he’s not only a very fast rider, he’s got the KTM experience, he’s now got the recent experience, so nothing negative has happened, only positives. The most important thing is for him as a person to decide what he wants to do.”
Yamaha enjoyed a strong opening day during the Valencia test and locked out the top three positions. Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) headed off Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and teammate Franco Morbidelli to lead the way into day two. Nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi was ninth.