MotoGP: “It’s nice to finish with a podium”, relishes Johann Zarco

The Frenchman Johann Zarco, who finished second on Sunday in the Valencia Grand Prix, the last race of the MotoGP season, was delighted to achieve a podium for his last race with the Ducati-Pramac team, which he is leaving to join Honda-LCR.

“For my last race with Pramac, it's great to finish with a podium and confirm my fifth place in the championship, which was the objective of this last weekend. I am very happy to conclude the story with Pramac in this way,” underlined the Avignon resident at a press conference.

Initially ranked third behind Francesco Bagnaia, who made it a double victory by winning the Grand Prix and his second consecutive world title, and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Ducati-Gresini), Zarco ultimately finished second after the Italian received a penalty of three seconds for tire pressure that is too low.

The Frenchman, second for a long time, did not come very far from victory and was disturbed by the crazy comeback of Di Giannantonio while he was preparing to go all out to overtake Bagnaia.

“I had the potential to win and I wanted to prepare this attack on Pecco because I didn't feel like attacking him too early. But Diggia arrived too quickly, overtook me and I could not attempt another attack,” he explained.

Zarco had the best season of his career this year: he finally won his first victory in the premier category, at the end of October in Australia, and finished in fifth place in the championship, as in 2021, after obtaining six podiums.

“This season, I remember my victory at Phillip Island obviously, but also my consistency. I am very happy to finish fifth in the championship,” he concluded.

The 33-year-old rider is not yet on vacation, however, as he will take his first laps on Tuesday aboard his future Honda-LCR motorcycle during the traditional end-of-season tests.