Paris (AFP)

"I reached a good level in 2020 and it would be great if, in 2021, I could be competitive and go for the podiums or even a victory", wishes the French MotoGP rider Johann Zarco, promoted to Ducati-Pramac.

"Last year, there were a lot of different winners (nine, editor's note), it gives me to think that it will be my turn this year", continued Zarco, 13th in the championship in 2020 with a pole position and a 3rd place in the Czech Republic, during the presentation of his new motorcycle on Thursday.

Last season, for his first time riding a Ducati in MotoGP with the small Avintia team, "I learned a lot and I can benefit from it this year", he believes, also expecting "even more support "from the Italian manufacturer after his promotion.

Now a member of the main Ducati satellite team, Zarco will be equipped with the latest version of the Desmosedici GP and will receive the same developments as the official riders, both continuing to work with part of the technical team that accompanied him in 2020 .

"Last year and before, Johann Zarco showed that he is one of the fastest in MotoGP and I believe that this year he will have the opportunity to be competitive in every race", announced by elsewhere Paolo Ciabatti, the sports director of Ducati.

"Zarco is at the peak of his career with a lot of experience. I believe he will have the right maturity after years of changes to obtain high results", adds Francesco Guidotti, the team manager of Pramac, who also welcomes the " regularity "of the French.

"When you think about the last few years, it's like the opportunity for a rebirth," says the Avignon resident, whose 2019 financial year, which started with KTM, had abruptly stopped at mid-season for lack of results and who then struggled to find a handlebars.

"I'm back and I want to stay that way and bring something good to the team."

Associated with a rookie in the category, the Spaniard Jorge Martin (23), Zarco (30), "hopes to find (from the pre-season tests from March 6 to 12 in Qatar, editor's note) a motorcycle that is easy to use. Riding. I already have confidence in this bike, he says. If it's easy to handle on top of the confidence, you can be fast the whole race. "

© 2021 AFP