New Moto2 World Champion begins final challenge of the year at the Comunitat Valenciana Circuit with twelfth fastest time.

Zarco, Valencia Moto2 2015

The 2015 Moto2 season comes to an end with the Valencia GP this weekend, for which the opening practice sessions were held on Friday. Recently crowned World Champion, Johann Zarco, set the twelfth fastest time on the combined timesheet, after improving his lap times in the second practice session. The Ajo Motorsport rider is confident of gaining positions in the qualifying session tomorrow.

The difference between the hot Sepang Circuit and and the chilly Valencian track meant a big change in setup for Johann Zarco. He and his crew started from scratch in FP1, finding it hard to feel comfortable. The first 45 minutes of practice saw the Ajo Motorsport rider finish eleventh, with a time of 1:36.560.

The afternoon practice session was also tricky, but the Frenchman is using the setbacks as a positive experience for next season as he looks for solutions. He eventually improved on his previous best lap with a 1:36.409 time, placing him tenth.

Zarco will be chasing pole position in Moto2 tomorrow, which would be his eighth of the season. The qualifying session will start from 3:05pm.

Results (Combined practice time FP1-FP2)
1. Thomas Luthi (Kalex) 1:35.560
2. Sam Lowes (Speed Up) 1:35.761 +0.201
3. Tito Rabat (Kalex) 1:35.834 +0.274
4. Alex Rins (Kalex) 1:35.994 +0.434
5. Jonas Folger (Kalex) 1:36.049 +0.489
12. Johann Zarco (Ajo Motorsport) 1:36.409 +0.849

Johann Zarco,
“I wasn’t too fast, so it will be interesting work for the rest of the weekend. I am lacking a little confidence and we need to identify the problem with the team, analyse where I can improve my riding and where we can adjust the bike. I’m sure we can take a step forward, because in comparison with the test we did here in winter, I’m slower. It is good that the problem has come up now, so that we have time to work on it.”