Zarco's leading streak ends in Austin

Johann Zarco's stunning run of leading every MotoGP race since last year's Australian Grand Prix finally came to an end in Austin.

The satellite Monster Yamaha Tech3 rider was in front for 7 laps at Phillip Island, followed by 8 laps at Sepang and 25 laps at Valencia. Zarco then began the new season with 16 laps in the lead in Qatar, then 3 laps last time in Argentina.

Zarco missed out on a debut victory by a fraction in two of those five races, standing on the podium three times.

COTA was always going to be a difficult prospect, but the Frenchman still held off factory Ducati rider and world championship leader Andrea Dovizioso for most of the race.

"I always hope to have a fight for the podium because it’s the best way to enjoy the race," Zarco said.

"I knew anyway I have weak points here on that track. That I was too much forcing on the bike to be ready for the race, but you never know. You always trust that something is possible.

"I immediately tried to follow and have the pace with the guys, but the weak points I have on the track like the acceleration from the slow corners was too much difference compared to the others.

"I tried to keep the gap. I even think I can catch Rossi after half the race, but I was struggling a bit too much.

"When Dovi overtook me [four laps from the end], I was stronger than him on the brakes, but he was better in acceleration and the compromise made that he is fifth and I’m sixth.

"It’s for me the most complicated track of the calendar. So we must be happy. It’s better than nothing to be in sixth position.

"The tyres were quite good. No drops during the race. Really I could have very constant pace, just not fast enough.

"But I’m not so, so far. It means when I will get good pace from FP1 to the race I will be able to fight for victories.

"I know that I did the best, so no regrets for that.

"I said to the team that it has been difficult, but we did the job and keep in mind that the Yamaha is a good bike and coming back to Europe, the way we are using it, if we can get the best from the bike we will be at the top of the classification."

Team boss Herve Poncharal said: "Johann had a good start, but we could see that the top four guys had a better pace than us. Then he concentrated on keeping his head down.

"He did that very well, but we also knew that Dovizioso has a strong bike, is a clever rider and to be in front for so many laps is never an advantage.

"We could understand that we’re going to lose the battle for fifth, but very wisely Johann took the 10 points for sixth, finishing as the first independent rider.

"A full factory bike has clearly an advantage on a track like this, so we are very proud.

"Now we arrive in Europe, where for sure Jerez and Le Mans will be more favourable for us and we can only go back to Europe happy with the job done so far this year."

Rookie team-mate Hafizh Syahrin crashed out of the race.