Fourth back flip of the year for Johann Zarco
16/08/2015Ajo Motorsport rider dominates Czech GP, taking a tenth consecutive podium and setting a new record in Moto2 in the process.
It was a perfect weekend for Moto2 World Championship leader Johann Zarco at the Czech Grand Prix, rounded off by his fourth victory of the season. The Ajo Motorsport rider led the race from the second lap to the finish, with a machine-like performance over 20 laps. With this victory, Zarco set a new record in the Moto2 class of 10 consecutive podiums.
Poleman and dominant in the morning warmup, Zarco gave up the lead at the start of the Czech GP, occupying second place after Lap 1. Confident of his pace, the Frenchman soon got back in front, and would not relinquish the position until the chequered flag.
Consistent with his pace lap-by-lap, Zarco maintained the lead in the race, masterfully managing the gap to his pursuers and not offering any chance for them to catch him. He would cross the finish line 1.421 seconds ahead of the rider in second place.
Thanks to this victory -his fourth of the season- Johann Zarco extends his lead in the overall standings to 79 points, with a total of 224. The next race will be the British Grand Prix, held on the weekend of August 28th-30th.
Race – Results
1. Johann Zarco (Ajo Motorsport) 41:02.500
2. Tito Rabat (Kalex) +1.421
3. Alex Rins (Kalex) +1.785
4. Alex Marquez (Kalex) +4.393
5. Sam Lowes (Speed Up) +7.844
Moto2 World Championship Standing 2015
1. Johann Zarco (Ajo Motorsport) 224 points
2. Tito Rabat (Kalex) 145 points
3. Alex Rins (Kalex) 144 points
4. Sam Lowes (Speed Up) 118 points
5. Thomas Luthi (Kalex) 118 points
Johann Zarco,
“This weekend I had a good feeling from the start. I felt comfortable on the bike at all times, riding well with both a full and empty fuel tank. The race was not easy, as I had a lead of between 6 tenths and 1 second, which is a good advantage but far from definitive. I had to be very focused and on the final laps I was able to extend the gap to take the victory. I am very happy with the win and for having extended the lead in the standings, which is very important to me. I do not look at the statistics because I am fortunate to have a team behind me who make me concentrate on what really matters. I want to thank them, and now we will focus on Silverstone.”
Aki Ajo,
“I don’t know what I can say after this incredible race and another victory -and in this way as well! Johann [Zarco] got on the podium for the tenth consecutive Grand Prix, which no one had ever been done before in the history of Moto2. It is something very special and shows the great work Johann, the team, his manager Laurent and everyone else are doing. I am grateful for everything they are doing, and their way of doing it. Thanks to everyone.”