Zarco eighth in flag-to-flag Jerez Sprint
Circuito de Jerez - Angel NietoMixed conditions made for an exciting race today at Jerez, where Zarco and Marini gathered points for Honda
Unpredictability was the order of the day at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto as rain, sun and more rain punctuated sessions which riders and fans will remember as a classic Sprint Saturday.
Johann Zarco took the long way through Qualifying with the fastest time in Q1 seeing him into Q2, where an outstanding performance saw him narrowly miss out on pole position. A strong start from second on the grid saw him in the podium fight during the opening laps, defending his position against his rivals. With four laps remaining the Frenchman entered the pits to switch bikes and push to the chequered flag, crossing the line eighth place.
Rocketing off the line, Luca Marini quickly passed teammate Joan Mir and set about chasing the points scoring positions as dark clouds loomed overhead. Swapping bikes in the second group, the #10 rejoined in the battle for the points and fought Zarco until the very last corner for top Honda honours. Ninth at the flag, Marini took the final point in the dramatic Spanish GP Sprint and collected valuable data and insight should Sunday’s Grand Prix follow a similarly chaotic rhythm.
A challenging qualifying session meant that Diogo Moreira started the race from 23rd on the grid, but he was determined to deliver an excellent comeback ride. An excellent start saw him move quickly up into the top-14, where he started to push towards the points. Once the race was declared wet, the Brazilian dived into the pits to change bikes. He managed to hold onto his 14th place throughout the final laps.
Racing nose to tail with his teammate for most of the race, Mir remained in the mix as the field dove into the pits with the rain. A quick bike change saw him gain time and track position in the closing laps as the intensity of the race increased. Unfortunately, a fall at Turn 10 would end any chance of points, Mir walking away unharmed. The #36 will serve a double long lap penalty in Sunday’s race for an earlier infringement.
It was cool! I’m happy with the start. The first lap behind Marc was good, but then I was losing time in the fast corners. It was tough to try to catch them in other places, and I couldn’t go any faster. It was good to fight. Then, when the rain came, I hesitated about going in, but with seven riders on track, I stayed, and I should have come in. I believe I missed an opportunity there, but at the same time, it was difficult. In any case, taking a front row start in the morning and finishing in the points considering the whole situation, it’s a good result. Let’s see tomorrow!
It was cool! I’m happy with the start. The first lap behind Marc was good, but then I was losing time in the fast corners. It was tough to try to catch them in other places, and I couldn’t go any faster. It was good to fight. Then, when the rain came, I hesitated about going in, but with seven riders on track, I stayed, and I should have come in. I believe I missed an opportunity there, but at the same time, it was difficult. In any case, taking a front row start in the morning and finishing in the points considering the whole situation, it’s a good result. Let’s see tomorrow!
I think everyone enjoyed that race, you need some spice in your life sometimes! I did a great start and feeling comfortable in the dry, when I saw some rain on the screen of the bike, I waited to see a little bit the overall situation and what was happening. It’s hard to know when the best moment to pit is, I thought the first group had gone too early but finally that proved to be the correct moment. The rain arrived quite fast in the end and we battled hard until the end in these conditions. Nice to get a little reward, we will need another good start tomorrow.
I think everyone enjoyed that race, you need some spice in your life sometimes! I did a great start and feeling comfortable in the dry, when I saw some rain on the screen of the bike, I waited to see a little bit the overall situation and what was happening. It’s hard to know when the best moment to pit is, I thought the first group had gone too early but finally that proved to be the correct moment. The rain arrived quite fast in the end and we battled hard until the end in these conditions. Nice to get a little reward, we will need another good start tomorrow.
It was fun! It was nice to ride like this, to do my first flag-to-flag race and understand the situation. It was important to finish the race and learn a lot. Looking ahead to tomorrow, in the dry I was there, I felt fast and was following the factory Hondas. I’m excited for tomorrow; let’s see how the race goes.
It was fun! It was nice to ride like this, to do my first flag-to-flag race and understand the situation. It was important to finish the race and learn a lot. Looking ahead to tomorrow, in the dry I was there, I felt fast and was following the factory Hondas. I’m excited for tomorrow; let’s see how the race goes.
We had one of those days! A difficult weekend, missing Q2 for nothing on Friday which compromised our day today, it was complicated in the wet to push for a fast lap in time. In the race I made a great start and could overtake a lot of riders, then the rain started and I made a good bike change. On the out lap I lost the front behind Quartararo, I went to pick up the bike because in races like this you always have a chance, but the damage was too much. Like always we head into Sunday to give our 100% even if the penalty makes it really difficult.
We had one of those days! A difficult weekend, missing Q2 for nothing on Friday which compromised our day today, it was complicated in the wet to push for a fast lap in time. In the race I made a great start and could overtake a lot of riders, then the rain started and I made a good bike change. On the out lap I lost the front behind Quartararo, I went to pick up the bike because in races like this you always have a chance, but the damage was too much. Like always we head into Sunday to give our 100% even if the penalty makes it really difficult.
