johan zarko Meeting with Honda and their LCR team during the Indonesian Grand Prix weekend to address their struggles with the marque’s updated MotoGP bike.
The introduction of an updated RC213V after the summer break, featuring a new chassis, swingarm and improved aero, has helped Honda’s factory team move closer to the front. joan meer Podium finish at the Japanese Grand Prix and team-mates Luca Marini Running in second place in Indonesia last week.
However, these benefits have not transferred to its satellite. Team LCRStar rider Zarco has been struggling for results largely because he got the new bike late at Misano testing.
The Frenchman qualified 18th at the Indonesian Grand Prix and could only finish 12th in the race with 14 finishers due to clutch problems.
Zarco admitted he still didn’t have the same pace he enjoyed on the previous version of the bike, which gave him wins at the rain-affected French GP and podiums at dry-weather Silverstone in May.
As such, he is now working closely with Honda to find a solution, knowing that his riding style is completely different from Marini and Mir.
Johann Zarco, Team LCR Honda
Photo by: Gold & Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
“We will find a new basis with the team to work with this new bike, because we had a very good meeting with the team and Honda (on Saturday),” Zarco said at Mandaluika.
“I’m very happy to have such an open discussion with Honda and with Lucio (Cecchinello). We analyzed that I was feeling very good and improving myself on the old bike.
“Compared to the two factory riders, my riding style is a little different. I was switching to a few different set-ups, which was working, but it seems like on the new bike I can’t get the same benefits I was getting before.
“That’s why we tried to build a new base again, to give me confidence, because we know that once the confidence comes back, I will be faster. I am not nervous anymore, because we can see that some riders (like francesco bagnaia) can win and then struggle.
Zarco “lost confidence” due to the crash streak.
After the highs of Le Mans and Silverstone, Zarco faced a difficult period and struggled to finish races inside the top 10, with painful crashes further adding to his mid-year difficulties.
Between Aragon and Barcelona, incidents caused him to suffer five DNFs in eight races, making him the rider with the most accidents this season.
Johann Zarco, Team LCR Honda accident
Photo by: Roberts Pudianto/Getty Images
Zarco admitted that accidents in the summer had affected his confidence and he has gradually regained his composure over the last few races.
“It’s a matter of confidence to take another step like Mir did,” he said. “During the summer I crashed a lot, and I lost this confidence.
“To get the confidence back, you have to finish the race. In Motegi and here (in Indonesia), I can finish the race. Even if it’s not the pace I want, I’ll take what’s coming.”
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