Ajo Motorsport rider comes into the second round of the year with reason to be optimistic; at last season’s Argentinian GP, he won the race and placed first in the overall standings.

Zarco, Qatar Moto2 2016

For the third consecutive year, the Moto2 World Championship travels to Termas de Rio Hondo, Argentina, this weekend. The only round held in South America, the Argentinian GP has been brought forward on the 2016 calendar, making it the second event of the season. It was there that last year Johann Zarco won the first race of his title-winning campaign, taking the lead of the overall standings in Argentina and never relinquishing it.

The Qatar Grand Prix did not go as well as expected for Zarco –a situation similar to that which he encountered last season. Given a ride-through penalty for a jump start, the Frenchman was unable to fight for the win at Losail, but salvaged a positive 4 points from the season opener. In Argentina, he has taken good results from both of his previous visits: Two front row starts and a victory in 2015. The aim for this weekend is to win.

After an atypical opening round in Qatar, the Grand Prix schedule returns to the normal three days this weekend –Friday to Sunday–. However, the Moto2 race will be held two hours later than usual, at 2:20pm local time.

Circuit information – Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo
Length: 4.806 m / 2.986 miles
Width: 16 metres
Left corners: 5
Right corners: 9
Longest straight: 1.076 m / 0.669 miles
Constructed: 2008
Modified: 2012

5 JOHANN ZARCO

“I can’t wait to get to Argentina, as it is a circuit I like and where I claimed my first victory last year. It is a track with very fast corners and enjoyable to ride. I’ve been thinking about this race all week. After the race in Qatar, where I made a big mistake, I come into this round with more energy than ever and eager to give the team a good result –one that will help us to forget about the first race. The goal has to be victory; that’s the way you fight for the title, especially in a year in which it seems that the opposition is stronger. This weekend I don’t want to think about the technical aspects of the bike; I have every confidence in the team, so I’m going to focus on myself and trying to be fast and consistent.”