Zarco: I was stopped at the border

Johann Zarco has become the latest MotoGP rider back on a grand prix track.

The Avintia Ducati star spent yesterday riding a Panigale V4 Superbike at the Circuit de Catalunya, marking the first time he had topped 300km/h since the end of the Qatar MotoGP test on February 24.

Zarco: I was stopped at the border

Johann Zarco has become the latest MotoGP rider back on a grand prix track.

The Avintia Ducati star spent yesterday riding a Panigale V4 Superbike at the Circuit de Catalunya, marking the first time he had topped 300km/h since the end of the Qatar MotoGP test on February 24.

But, in a sign of the added travel complications the sport will need to navigate in the coronavirus era, Zarco was stopped at the border between France and Spain, requiring documents from Dorna before being allowed to continue his journey.

"I've been lucky and thanks to Dorna for giving me the papers to come to Catalunya, because yesterday at the border between France and Spain I got blocked by the Police to control why I'm entering Spain," Zarco told the official MotoGP website. "Without those Dorna documents, I could not have come here for training.

"But now I'm here and it's giving me good feelings... I'm happy to go over 300km/h - with this Panigale it's possible to go very fast and it's so important because I could see my mind was losing a little reflex.

"So it's necessary to be at high-speed to get used to and be ready for [the first race at] Jerez in July."

Zarco was joined on track yesterday by Moto2 riders Jorge Martin, Xavi Vierge plus Moto3's Raul Fernandez.

Pol Espargaro remains the only current MotoGP race rider to have been back on a grand prix prototype since the Qatar test, courtesy of KTM's recent private outing at the Red Bull Ring.

Aprilia is planning its first private MotoGP test since the coronavirus interruption at Misano from June 10-11.

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