Zarco: “We have to start thinking about the title”

Johann Zarco heads to the Gran Premio TIM di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini with a more than healthy 85-point lead.

The 2015 Moto2™ World Championship has been all about Ajo Motosport’s Johann Zarco, the Frenchman having a dominant year. This is a world apart from his 2011 performance at Misano when he seemingly waved through title rival Nico Terol for the 125cc race win. Since that fateful race Zarco has grown and has now reunited with famed team owner Aki Ajo, the Finn able to bring out the best in Zarco. Only once in 2015 has Zarco stood off the podium, in Qatar when his Moto2™ machine encountered a technical problem. From then on it has been a run of 11 podiums, including five victories.

 Aside from his last lap antics in 2011, Zarco has classically gone well at Misano, having always finished inside the top ten and claiming a third in the 2014 Moto2™ race. Zarco will of course be challenging for another top result, but will not push beyond his limits to contest a victory. As the season enters its second half, his focus has shifted to the title and is aware that even with an 85 point lead, a mistake could be costly. His approach to the weekend will not change though, a strong start on Friday to find the best set up his first goal.

Johann Zarco: “The Misano circuit is a nice track with a lot of spectators who add to the atmosphere, and where I have achieved good results in past seasons. Last year I got a great podium, with a good pace and not far off Tito Rabat and Mika Kallio, who finished ahead of me. It is a completely different circuit to Silverstone. We will work from Friday to find the best setup for the circuit’s characteristics and the conditions – one that allows us to ride comfortably and calmly.”

“We have to start thinking about the title. The first goal is to win, as always, but the other riders are going very strong. So I will fight as usual, but as the race goes on I will analyse my options to get as many points as possible