Ajo Motorsport rider takes sixth on the grid at Mugello Circuit after late qualifying session push.

Zarco, Italian Moto2 2015

Johann Zarco will start the Italian Grand Prix from the second row, having set the sixth fastest time in qualifying. The most consistent rider in free practice at Mugello, Zarco left it until his final lap to set his best time, riding alone without the all-important slipstream that so often plays a role on the long straight.

In pleasant weather conditions in the morning, Zarco began the third and final practice session with worn tyres and the aim of finding a good feeling with his bike for tomorrow. On his second stint, with fresh rubber, the Frenchman improved lap by lap to stand at the head of the timesheet, ten minutes from the end of the session. Maintaining the pace throughout the final stint, Zarco ended FP3 third with a best time of 1:52.034.

Determined to take a good position on the grid at Mugello, Zarco quickly assumed a spot in the Top 10. With a total of four runs on the Italian track, the World Championship leader pushed during the last part of the session to ascend the order, and he eventually clocked a 1:52.140 time on his very last lap –riding by himself to take sixth.

The Moto2 Italian GP takes place tomorrow at 12:20pm local time. Leading the overall standings, Johann Zarco will be chasing his fifth consecutive podium finish.

Results (Qualifying practice)
1. Sam Lowes (Speed Up) 1:51.514
2. Dominique Aegerter (Kalex) 1:51.856 +0.342
3. Tito Rabat (Kalex) 1:51.874 +0.360
4. Thomas Luthi (Kalex) 1:51.879 +0.365
5. Luis Salom (Kalex) 1:52.120 +0.606
6. Johann Zarco (Ajo Motorsport) 1:52.140 +0.626

Johann Zarco,
“I expected a better position in qualifying, but sixth place is not all bad because the second row is a good place to start tomorrow. Yesterday went pretty well and we improved in free practice this morning, but this afternoon I had to push a lot to get good lap times. I need to know what happened and find a good pace for the race tomorrow. I set my fastest lap with no slipstream, which helps you to drop two or three tenths. I tried to get a tow, but when the other riders saw me they stopped. It is something that often happens in the QP in the lower cylinder classes. I am calm and I feel good on the bike, which is the most important thing. We’ll see what happens tomorrow, the race pace will be the most important thing and I think I can be in the front group and fight for the podium.”