Zarco, Qatar Moto2 Test 2016

Reigning Moto2 World Champion sets his best lap time in Qatar on final day of preseason.

03/13/2016 – Losail International Circuit, Qatar
The 2016 preseason came to an end this Sunday at the Losail International Circuit. For the third consecutive day, Johann Zarco was able to improve his feeling with his bike, his fastest lap and his pace, to feel well prepared for the first race of the year. The Ajo Motorsport rider lapped below 2:00 for the first time, and his best contribution of a 1:59.979 earned him eighth position for Sunday. In the combined timesheet for the three days, he was also eighth.

The Frenchman was keen not to miss a single minute of the last day of preseason testing. Today, Zarco completed a total of 61 laps, more than on any of the previous two days. A time of 2:00.822 in the first hour was the prelude to his best time of the test, set in the second session. His 1:59.979 lap earned him fourth in session, on a day in which he was much happier with his pace than with his fastest lap. In the final hour, the Ajo Motorsport rider was just 3 tenths off his fastest time.

After the final three days of testing in Qatar, Johann Zarco and Ajo Motorsport turn their attention to the buildup to the Qatar GP, which opens the 2016 season next weekend. The event, which runs from March 24th to 27th, begins the Frenchman’s defence of his Moto2 title.

Results – Combined Standings Day 3
1. Sam Lowes (Kalex) 1:59.405
2. Thomas Luthi (Kalex) 1:59.608 +0.203
3. Jonas Folger (Kalex) 1:59.652 +0.247
4. Alex Rins (Kalex) 1:59.762 +0.357
5. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Kalex) 1:59.770 +0.365
8. Johann Zarco (Ajo Motorsport) 1:59.979 +0.574

Results – Combined Standings Day 1-2-3
1. Sam Lowes (Kalex) 1:59.405
2. Thomas Luthi (Kalex) 1:59.608 +0.203
3. Jonas Folger (Kalex) 1:59.652 +0.247
4. Alex Rins (Kalex) 1:59.762 +0.357
5. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Kalex) 1:59.770 +0.365
8. Johann Zarco (Ajo Motorsport) 1:59.979 +0.574
 
Johann Zarco,
“This third day was positive. My time in the last session was not very good, but overall we have improved over previous days and we are ready for the first race next week. That is the most important thing. I know I have to improve my riding style with this new bike to find the last 5 tenths that will allow me to fight with the first group. Now it’s time to rest and get ready for next week. The positive thing is that we have found the way to go.”

Aki Ajo,
“It’s been a positive test for our Moto2 team. At Jerez it was not easy but now we feel we have taken a step forward, we have begun to understand the new bike and Johann [Zarco] has regained a feeling of tranquility on the bike. We are very pleased to have had three days of testing here in order to improve our feeling and regain confidence ahead of the first race.”