Gearbox issue led to Zarco’s Portugal MotoGP crash
Johann Zarco says “a little issue” with his Pramac Ducati’s gearbox caused him to crash out of second late on in last weekend’s MotoGP Portuguese Grand Prix.
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
The erstwhile championship leader led the early stages of Sunday’s Algarve race, before falling behind race winner Fabio Quartararo on the Yamaha and Suzuki’s Alex Rins.
Zarco was promoted to second when Rins crashed on lap 19, but the Frenchman would suffer the same fate a tour later.
He admits he initially thought he had made a mistake, but analysis after the race revealed a gearbox issue on the downshift into Turn 11 caused him to crash.
“A bit disappointed for sure,” Zarco said, having slid 21 points back to fourth in the standings.
“I thought I did a little mistake, I thought that way when I crashed. I thought I did a mistake on the shift down.
“But we analysed, I had a little issue with the gearbox in that moment.
“So that’s why I didn’t get the good gear in that moment, and in that area of the braking it was critical.
“So, this helps me to be not too disappointed and helps me to understand better why I had this crash.
“Second thing also, the front tyre was not too nice. It was not perfect and that’s why maybe keeping the pace under the 1m40s for me was difficult.
“So, when Pecco [Bagnaia] overtook me I was kind of happy to think I would get some air and get more control, because I did many laps in front of [Joan] Mir trying to catch Fabio.
“I thought pushing to catch Fabio I could build a gap to the guys behind and I was pushing a lot.”
Explaining his issue further, Zarco added: “No, I didn’t get neutral.
“Instead of second gear I got first gear, and braking with leaning I got a bit more engine braking and also because the front tyre was not nice on the right side it didn’t support this deceleration.
“That’s why immediately I was down.”
Zarco’s teammate Jorge Martin was absent from the race after a violent crash in FP3 left him with multiple fractures and in need of surgery.
On Monday Motorsport.com reported Martin’s surgery had been delayed due to the severe knock to the head he took in the crash, which has now cast his comeback hopes next week at Jerez into doubt.
Be part of Motorsport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Related video
Espargaro considering Aprilia test rider role, but MotoGP future still open
Oliveira reckons MotoGP “looks too easy” on TV now
The hockey expansion rule that could benefit Andretti's F1 bid
FIA dismisses Aston Martin protest over China F1 qualifying
2024 F1 Chinese GP qualifying results: Verstappen takes pole
F1 Chinese GP – Start time, how to watch, starting grid & TV channel
Espargaro considering Aprilia test rider role, but MotoGP future still open
Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing
The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form
How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments