MotoGP returnee Johann Zarco believes he should be able to put the LCR Honda he has been given into the top ten at Phillip Island this weekend.
Zarco, who quit KTM mid-season after a tumultuous and despressing 2019, stands-in for Taka Nakagami for the rest of this season while the Japanese undergoes surgery on his injured shoulder.
“For me, I know the bike can be competitive, so it will be more clear for me where my level is,” said the Frenchman.
Normally if I ride well this bike, I should be in the top ten, it’s the minimum the bike can do I think. I have to be clever to bring the bike at this level.”
Zarco is hoping three good races will attract the attention of a Moto2 team and that a season back in the class where he was champion could be a path back to the premier division.
“I want to be a top rider. To be a top rider you need to race. Even when you race in Moto2 you keep this feeling inside you.
“We can see what Fabio is doing, and I remember when I came to MotoGP, I had no experience in the class but I did well. The racing mood was there.
“The market will be open again in 2021, and it will open early. That can be an option but at the moment my future is a few races, that’s all.”
Aki Ajo has had to release Iker Lecuona to the Tech3 MotoGP team and that might be a lifeline for Zarco.
