Zarco fears missing Misano test could hurt target hopes

Johann Zarco says he will continue to target the top five at Misano but concedes missing out on the recent test at the Italian track may hamper his efforts for Monster Yamaha Tech 3.

With Tech 3 switching from Yamaha to KTM for next year its in-season testing schedule has been heavily cutback which included missing last month’s private Misano test where the factory Yamaha squad were in action.

Zarco accepts missing the test naturally gives his rivals an advantage but still has confidence he can fight in the top group having secured a front row spot in qualifying at Silverstone before the British MotoGP had to be cancelled due to safety concerns.

“Misano is a small track compared to Silverstone and we should have good weather there,” Zarco said. “I think there were some riders who tested there before, which will make my job a little bit harder to be close to the top and to be able to fight for the best five positions.

“I would like to be there, it will for sure be complicated, but I still believe I have the chance.

“I was so happy with the first row in England, so we can try to be back in the front row again in Misano, which is a track I like and I have some great memories, especially from Moto2 and I know that the Yamaha holds the fastest lap record with Jorge Lorenzo’s pole position two years ago.

“So, there are many possibilities for our bike and me, I will give the best as usual and try to be ready for a good race.”

After the cancellation of the British race, Zarco remains one point behind top independent rider Pramac Ducati’s Danilo Petrucci in the riders’ championship with LCR Honda’s Cal Crutchlow one point further back from the French rider.

Last year Zarco was forced to push his Tech 3 Yamaha over the finish line in Misano to salvage the final points finish in 15^th place when it ran out of fuel having been running in a comfortable seventh place.