Zarco: No backing off in the rain this time…

Johann Zarco led from pole position for the opening eleven laps of last year’s Dutch TT.

But when rain drops arrived, the rookie was spooked by the unknown situation and made the wrong call to a pit for his wet bike. 

“When it began to rain, I was really scared with the slick tyres,” Zarco said after the race. “We are already on the limit when it’s dry so you can imagine when it’s a little bit wet.

“I didn’t want to take this risk and I took the decision to come into the pit.”

However the rain didn’t intensify and most other riders rightly stayed out on slicks, leaving Zarco to finish 14th.

“If it was raining more then I could be a god. Finally, from hero you go to zero but it’s part of the game.”

Ahead of this year’s Assen event, Zarco has pledged not to back off if the same situation arises on Sunday. 

“Last year the race has been difficult, because it was raining a little bit and I was scared to , so I did the wrong decision to come back to the pit lane. So, this year, I’m going to see what the weather will be like. 

“I want to be on the top. I think it’s a track, which is also good for the Yamaha, Valentino is always incredibly strong there and it means, I can also do great things with my bike. 

“Therefore, I will try to push all the time and even in the race, if it’s raining a little bit, I will keep full throttle to stay with the top guys.”

Zarco will start the eighth round of the season holding fourth in the world championship, just four points from factory Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales.

Yamaha has not won a race since Valentino Rossi’s victory at Assen last season.

Meanwhile, Zarco’s team-mate Hafizh Syahrin has dropped behind Franco Morbidelli in the Rookie of the Year contest after a fall from ninth in Catalunya.

“I will try my best for the Assen race because I want to finish the race in the points again and try to make the same like in Barcelona from FP1 to race day before I ed,” said the Malaysian. 

“I hope I can do well there, as I know from last year, that the Yamaha bike works really good there. Furthermore, I hope the conditions will be pleasant as well. 

“I keep working hard on myself and try to be ready with the team from FP1. I want to fight for the best rookie spot and aim to go to Q2 for the first time.”

Free practice at Assen starts on Friday.