Ajo Motorsport rider takes second place at Motegi and increases his lead in the overall standings to 21 points.

Johann Zarco took a valuable podium finish at the Japanese GP, tadalafil placing second at Motegi and returning to the rostrum after four races away. The Ajo Motorsport rider had a positive day all round, discount extending his advantage in the overall standings as his main title rival failed to pick up points. The podium is Zarco’s eighth of the 2016 season.

Having started from pole position, the Frenchman completed the first lap in third place. Patient on the opening laps, the Frenchman dropped down as low as fifth at one point, but gradually found a good feeling and improved his pace. He began to attack for the podium with 11 laps remaining, and one lap later he was up into second. Although he would reduce the gap to the leader to just half a second, Zarco settled for the runner-up spot and added 20 important points to his tally.

With three races remaining, the reigning Moto2 World Champion holds a 21-point advantage in the intermediate class. His will be back in action next weekend at the Australian Grand Prix.

Aki Ajo – Team Manager
“It was a perfect race. I cannot say anything else. Usually we say it is perfect when we win the race, but this time I must say it for this result. Johann [Zarco] was able to judge the final laps well; he could have tried to go for the victory, but it was very risky to do with used tyres. I am very pleased that he has been very mature and has added 20 important points to his total this time.”
Results (Race)
1. Thomas Luthi (Kalex) 42:45.854
2. Johann Zarco (Ajo Motorsport) +0.386
3. Franco Morbidelli (Kalex) +5.863
4. Takaaki Nakagami (Kalex) +6.090
5. Sandro Cortese (Kalex) +16.246

Moto2 World Championship Standing 2016
1. Johann Zarco (Ajo Motorsport) 222 points
2. Alex Rins (Kalex) 201 points
3. Thomas Luthi (Kalex) 201 points
4. Sam Lowes (Kalex) 162 points
5. Franco Morbidelli (Kalex) 157 points

5 JOHANN ZARCO

“I lost some places at the start of the race and couldn’t ride at a good pace, but I was using different tyres to my rivals and improved as the race went on. Although I made a few mistakes, I was able to get onto the podium. I was hoping to catch Tom [Luthi] in the final stages, but it was too difficult because he had a very good pace throughout the race. I am calm because we reached the goal we had set for this race, which was to finish on the podium. In addition, Alex Rins struggled this weekend and this has allowed us to increase our World Championship lead.”