Johann Zarco: Ducati versatility ‘incredible’ but others only ‘a few changes’ from the top

Johann Zarco was one of six different Ducati riders to win a race in 2023, a record for a single season in the MotoGP era.
Johann Zarco, MotoGP race, Australian MotoGP, 21 October
Johann Zarco, MotoGP race, Australian MotoGP, 21 October

Of the two Ducati riders that didn’t win 📖a grand prix, Alex Marquez still took a pair of Sprint victories while Luca Marini claimed his first premier-class podiums.

But Zarco now moves from the top manufacturer in the constructors’ table to the bottom, with a switch tဣo LCR Honda.

However, whilst praising the versatility of 👍the Ducati in the hands of many different riders, the Frenchman insists🍌 the other MotoGP manufacturers are only a few changes away from the top.

“What Ducati has been incredible at is tꦍo make a bike that all൩ riders can win on,” he explained.

“They give the opportunity to eacꩵh rider to win races and to fight♍ for podiums, by finding for everyone a good feeling on the bike.

“This is where they have been fantastic.

“But when you analyse everythinꦯg, the [performance] difference is🍃 not so big and that's what gives a lot of hopes for the others.

“Becaus💯e it will be one change, or a few changes, that will br♈ing the other bikes also on the top.”

Jorge Martin, Johann Zarco, Indian MotoGP, 21 September
Jorge Martin, Johann Zarco, Indian MotoGP, 21 September

As well as a long-awaited debut MotoGP win, Zarco signed off his third and final season at Pramac by contributing to an historic victory in the teams’ world championship, alongside title runneꦓr-up Jorge Martin.

“It’s really nice when you are looking back on this seasonღ and the nice podiums that [Martin and I] have shared together,” Zarco 💯said.

“I started this season well and got more points than Jorge, but from his win in the Sprin🌄t race in Le Mans, Jorge has been incredible, almost not leaving the podium and fighting for the title.

“We could not expect [to also fight for the teams’ title] at the beginning of the season, maybe thinking that [factory Ducati duo] Pecco and Bastianini would ha𓄧ve been taking the most points.

“So I’m pretty proud that I've been part of it.”

Zarco, 17th but one-second from the top for LCR Honda at the Valen⭕cia test, will be back on an RC213V at the Sepang test early next mo⛦nth.

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