Q: Before the Dutch GP on Sunday, you are 3rd in the championship, best rider of the eight Ducati.

How do you judge your first half of the season?

A: "It's very positive, because it didn't start as well as last year, with the two podiums in Qatar which catapulted me to the forefront. There, it was a little more laborious , but it still pays off. You have to hold on. Even if the relaxation I'm looking for on the Ducati isn't there yet, the results are there. It encourages me to keep pushing to unlock what I research".

Q: In Germany last week you finished 2nd behind Quartararo.

It was the sixth podium with two French in two years.

Are you used to it now?

A: "I'm thinking above all of pleasure. I know it's unique. It's never happened in the history of motorcycling to have two Frenchmen at the top of the best of categories and no doubt it won't be valid in ten years. So it's beautiful and I'm taking advantage of it, I'm aware of this good period".

Q: What relationship do you have with Quartararo?

Are you close despite your age difference (32 in July for Zarco, 23 for Quartararo, Ed)?

A: "Close no, but the age gap means that there is no rivalry, no big rivalry. I'm happy when he wins, I prefer it to be him than a Spaniard. But I would like to win in his place, clearly. Afterwards, you have to admit that he is very, very strong. There he even manages to maintain his status as champion, and in a good way. I am not surprised, but impressed yes, because it's super intense and it's nice to see him hold on. It seems easy. But if he wins and I'm 2nd, I'm already very satisfied. As for our relationship, we don't see each other out of the races, with a very busy schedule, and we don't live in the same place. But we could have a good time together."

Frenchman Fabio Quartararo, leader of the MotoGP championship, sprinkled with champagne by his compatriot Johann Zarco on the podium of the GP of Catalonia, June 5, 2022 in Montmelo Pau BARRENA AFP / Archives

Q: Last year you didn't consider winning a checkbox at all costs.

But isn't that what you need to pass a new level?

A: "It's hard to say. Concentrating only on that, if we don't succeed, we lose all our resources. Yes, it's a goal. Can it make me turn a corner or not? Maybe, I don't know, hard to predict with this very high level. It's so intense that we don't have time to ask ourselves the question. It's better to live in the present moment.

Q: So the podium remains the primary objective?

For victory, could you take even more risks?

A: "The podium is always all good, it's great. But the risks taken to reach the podium are already at their maximum, so to go for victory, it's the same risks, except that the things are going even better."

Q: What have you put in place since last year to improve?

A: "To become better you had to increase your physical level. I am better prepared physically, I train more to aim even higher because the engines become really very, very very intense to drive. So if there has a change of approach, that could be it. I train even more regularly, more cycling to avoid too much pain, knees, etc., to really have a super, super strong heart".

Q: And on a technical level?

A: "Thanks to Jean-Michel (Bayle, double motocross world champion 1988, 1989, editor's note), there is another technical motorcycle approach. We can do better motorcycle training than what I could do before More qualitative, with an eye from the edge of the track, technical advice or thoughts from someone who can best understand what I'm going through on the bike. And I'm happy to be able to put them into practice."

Johann Zarco riding his Ducati-Pramac during the German Motorcycle GP at the Sachsenring circuit on June 19, 2022 Ronny Hartmann AFP / Archives

Interview in the paddock in Assen by Olivier LEVRAULT

© 2022 AFP