The Ajo Motorsport rider grabs pole at San Marino GP by two thousandths of a second.

Zarco, Moto2, San Marino MotoGP 2015

For the sixth time this season Johann Zarco will start from pole position, this time for the San Marino GP. In a qualifying session as tight as we have seen this season, the Ajo Motorsport rider had an excellent finish to the qualifying session after trying several times for pole, to finally take it by 0.002 seconds -in doing so setting a new circuit record of 1:36.754.

Less than one tenth of a second separated the top three in the Moto2 FP3. Zarco demonstrated that the minor crash from yesterday was merely the result of finding the limits, and with no loss of confidence, he returned to track and to the top of the time charts from his first laps. Regularly lapping in the low 1:37s, the Ajo Motorsport rider reached the second fastest spot, just 0.076 behind the leader.

Unlike some of the previous qualifying sessions this season, Johann Zarco clinched his sixth pole position on his third and final stint. When it was time to put on new tyres, the Frenchman twice went less than a tenth of a second off the provisional leader on consecutive laps. On his third attempt he managed to clinch the top spot by 2 thousandths of a second, with a new circuit record of 1:36.754.

With this pole, Johann Zarco repeats his performance of 2011 in the 125cc class at the same circuit. For tomorrow’s race at 12:20h, the Frenchman will be looking to achieve his twelfth consecutive podium.

Results (Qualifying practice)
1. Johann Zarco (Ajo Motorsport) 1:36.754
2. Alex Rins (Kalex) 1:36.756 +0.002
3. Tito Rabat (Kalex) 1:36.854 +0.100
4. Simone Corsi (Kalex) 1:37.121 +0.367
5. Dominique Aergerter (Kalex) 1:37.172 +0.418

Johann Zarco,
“It’s amazing to work like this with the team, we were able to manage the times very well in the qualifying session and that helped me to stay calm and relaxed. Rins was really strong, and Tito [Rabat] showed in the morning that he has the pace and is ready for the race. I want to fight, and fighting for victory is the best way to stay focused.

Tomorrow I start from pole, and the start will be very important and will be the key to the race. They will be a very tough twentyseven laps so I’ll have to rest tonight to be strong tomorrow.”