“Perfect time” - Johann Zarco surprised by speed of MotoGP recovery

Johann Zarco says this weekend’s planned MotoGP return at Aragon comes at the “perfect time”, with the speed of his recovery taking even the Frenchman by surprise.

The LCR Honda rider suffered extensive ligament damage to his left knee after losing control under braking for Turn 1 during the Catalunya restart, in May.

Zarco was injured when his leg then became tangled in Pecco Bagnaia’s rear wheel, with Honda’s Luca Marini also taken down in the incident.

The Frenchman was initially expected to undergo surgery once the swelling had subsided and burns from an exhaust had healed.

Fortunately, doctors later determined that an operation would not be necessary and Zarco has been able to increase his training, both on and off the bike.

“I'm still in the middle of my rehabilitation process, getting back in shape, or rather, reconditioning, if that's the right word, and Aragon is actually coming at the perfect time,” Zarco told Canal+.

“I really didn't think I'd be riding in MotoGP so soon. It's been three months and a little over a week since I was in Barcelona.

“But ultimately, after several training sessions on a supermoto and on the CBR - which has the same racing position as the MotoGP bike - I saw that it was going well.

“So, it's worth being able to come back to Aragon and get back into the swing of things at over 300 km/h.”

Last year’s home Le Mans winner added that he’s “still addicted to that adrenaline rush, and it’ll feel good to experience it again.”

Zarco must pass a MotoGP medical check on Thursday before he is cleared to ride at Aragon, with Cal Crutchlow remaining on standby throughout the weekend.

Should Zarco start Sunday’s race, he will need to serve a double long lap penalty for causing the Turn 1 accident in Catalunya.