Zarco studying Lorenzo's Ducati 'evolution'
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Johann Zarco has revealed he is spending some of his time in lockdown at home in Avignon studying footage of Jorge Lorenzo at Ducati.Zarco’s natural riding style is similar to the silky-smooth precision of Lorenzo, allowing them both to excel on the friendly, flowing nature of the Yamaha M1.After three titles and 44 race wins, Lorenzo left the factory Yamaha team for Ducati in 2017. After initially struggling, the Spaniard hit a fearsome run of form in mid-2018, claiming three wins before being injured and departing for Honda.Zarco meanwhile took six podiums during two seasons on a Tech3 Yamaha, coming close to the first-ever victory for a satellite M1 rider. He was then left frustrated by the factory KTM at the start of last year and – after finishing the season at LCR Honda – has switched to Avintia Ducati for 2020.”For me it’s interesting now that I am with Ducati to watch the evolution of Jorge Lorenzo,” Zarco told the official MotoGP website. “He was the one that was maybe struggling the most on the Ducati, but at the end he was so strong.”It doesn’t mean I want to follow the same steps, but it’s interesting to see and understand what he could change or what Lorenzo learnt during this time. Just to keep in mind that everything is possible and don’t panic too much if it’s not coming immediately.”In stark contrast to the cornering prowess of the Yamaha, the Ducati makes its time in a straight line, either while accelerating or braking.It was the latter where Lorenzo appeared to alter his technique the most, eventually emerging as one of the best on the brakes after a plethora of new parts and riding style changes.Having missed the pair of 2019 post-season tests, Zarco made his debut on a GP19 at Sepang in February. Leaving Malaysia 17th on the timesheets, but only 0.6s from the top, the Frenchman then began to feel more at home in the final Losail outing, where he raised eyebrows by being sixth fastest on day 2 of 3.”From the first test in Malaysia Ducati said to me ‘don’t worry, there are things to learn and we trust in you that you can do it well’,” Zarco said.”To come back to a new bike after a long break is never easy. My ankle is perfect now but I didn’t have any tests in Valencia and Jerez and then I had to discover a new bike, also with the different spec rear tyre. That’s why they told me don’t worry.”4″From that moment I could analyse well, stay calm and after the Qatar test I knew the real race feeling is coming back and it was pretty good.”The double Moto2 champion added: “The Ducati looks like a pretty interesting bike, winning with Dovizioso and Petrucci. Clearly Avintia was not at that level but Ducati explained the target is also to bring Avintia to a much better level. In Avintia we are creating a very positive spirit to bring everybody up.”I need to be in the top 10 to make myself strong again, and from there come back to the top five and then dream about the best position.”Exactly when Zarco will get the chance to make his Ducati race debut remains unclear, given the ongoing coronavirus disruption to the 2020 calendar.But looking ahead to next season, Zarco confirmed he doesn’t plan on switching to another brand of MotoGP machine and has his sights set on trying to secure a place at the official Ducati team.”That’s logical! Of course I want it,” he told SkySport.it. “But to get there I must deserve it, I must be one of the fastest Ducati riders.”
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