Doha (AFP)

Frenchman Johann Zarco (Ducati-Pramac) had a "great race from the start" in Qatar on Sunday, to finish second behind Spaniard Maverick Vinales (Yamaha) in the inaugural Grand Prix of the MotoGP season.

Q: You've been at the forefront from start to finish.

Can you tell us?

A: "A great race from the start! I was already happy to get three places and to be third. Then I felt comfortable and that's why I tried to overtake Jack (Miller) as quickly as possible. . The first lap was amazing! Afterwards, my pace was rather interesting. We were going fast, enough to stay in front, but I was in control to be still comfortable at the end. When Vinales caught up with me, I immediately saw the advantage he had. I felt good so I tried to follow him but he picked up the pace for five or six laps and at that point I asked too much of the tires, suddenly the last three or four laps were complicated. The last one I did my best to keep Joan Mir behind me. He passed me in the last two corners but, thanks to the bike, I was able to do it. return to the last straight line and finish second. "

Q: It's encouraging for the rest of the season, isn't it?

A: "I am very, very, very happy. Already, it is my first podium in Qatar in all categories. Confidence in the team and in the bike is quite high. Even before the season, I knew we had the potential to win or to be on the podium all the time. We start here with a good track for Ducati, I'm very happy to have been able to use that advantage. If it's a chance to do something good for the whole championship i'll grab it, but for now i'm just so happy i'm taking this and analyzing tomorrow. "

Q: What are you missing to win the Doha GP here next week?

A: "I don't need more power, I have enough! I think I need to be able in the last six laps, when Vinales pushed even more, to have more power. also the ability. I went faster but I think 4 / 10th (lap) was missing. We'll have to find them. We know why we didn't have them and why it was difficult to follow Maverick. We will try to have them. a better connection with the rear tire when entering the corners, that could help us to take a big step for the second race. "

Interview at a press conference.

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