Updated Ducati made Zarco feel “like a factory rider” again
Avintia’s Johann Zarco says a chassis update given to him from Ducati in Tuesday’s Misano MotoGP test made him feel like he was “a factory rider” again.

Zarco is signed directly to Ducati for 2020, though is riding the year-old GP19 bike in Avintia colours with a small amount of support from Ducati in terms of personnel.
Despite this, he scored a shock pole position in the Czech Grand Prix last month and carried that pace forward into the race to secure his first podium as a Ducati rider in third. With Zarco set to join either the works Ducati team or Pramac with full factory support next year, the Italian marque gave him an updated frame to test on Tuesday.
“Thanks to Ducati, it’s a great feeling and great support from them, we could try different stuff also on the chassis [side],” Zarco said ahead of this weekend’s Emilia Romagna GP. “And I was happy because it’s really the work they have been doing before the test to prepare a new combination of chassis, it was a feeling like being a factory rider.
“But they repeated to me, ‘You are in contract with us, so if we feel you can give us information, we need to make you test things’.”
Read Also:
Zarco says the “huge work” Ducati put in to provide this updated chassis gave him a positive feeling going forwards.
“[The update] was planned, and it was not planned maybe in March,” he added. “It has been planned in the summer, but for me, because it’s a huge work they are doing, to know so many guys are working for you in that way, it really gives you a warm positive feeling of support.”
When asked if he will continue with the new chassis this weekend, Zarco replied: “I think yes, because we were feeling good on it. But we still have also the old parts that we saw were also working well with a different set-up.
“There is not one thing that is giving you everything, that’s why it’s not easy because there’s always a compromise. That’s why I want to be on the new one, to keep working on it and give more information to Ducati.”

Previous article
Vinales demands Yamaha reaction to avoid “little kitty” risk
Next article
Why losing points lead won't change Quartararo's approach

About this article
Series | MotoGP |
Drivers | Johann Zarco |
Teams | Avintia Racing |
Author | Lewis Duncan |
Updated Ducati made Zarco feel “like a factory rider” again
Trending
Repsol Honda Team - Pol Espargaró Q&A
Repsol Honda Team - Marc Marquez Q&A
Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics
Alex Marquez's form was one of MotoGP 2020's biggest surprises and, by firmly stepping out of his six-time world champion brother Marc's shadow, he proved a few people wrong. Not that he cares about this, as he tells Lewis Duncan
How Yamaha's new MotoGP era can unchain Vinales
After the electrifying start to his Yamaha MotoGP career in 2017, Maverick Vinales has struggled for consistency. Many anticipate that the arrival of Fabio Quartararo could spell disaster, but the departure of Valentino Rossi could be just the impetus he needs.
Does KTM really need 'super engine' for MotoGP title challenge?
Fears from rival MotoGP manufacturers that KTM would build a 'super engine' for 2021 have ultimately come to nothing with the revealation that the RC16 hasn't been radically changed over the winter. But does it really need that to win the title?
How Ducati's latest Aussie union can return it to MotoGP glory
Australians on Ducatis is an iconic partnership, the marque's last one yielding its sole MotoGP crown to date. But its latest Aussie union with the often underestimated Jack Miller can end this drought.
The "balls out" battle between MotoGP's true greats
Senna vs Prost is regularly cited as motorsport's greatest rivalry. But it can easily be argued Rainey vs Schwantz can stake that claim. That rivalry was in full swing during the 1991 500cc season, remembered fondly by both stars 30 years on...
The "warrior" MotoGP rookie KTM was right to back
The 2020 MotoGP campaign featured a standout pair of rookies, but one flew under the radar as he adjusted to a shock step-up armed with very little racing experience. However as his veteran team boss explains, the faith shown in him was not misplaced
Why Suzuki's Brivio replacement must come from within
With its charismatic leader Davide Brivio leaving for Formula 1, the Suzuki MotoGP squad he turned into a world championship-winning force in 2020 has a major recruitment headache that it needs to resolve carefully.
Why Alpine's latest signing could be its best hope of F1 glory
The return of Fernando Alonso to the renamed Alpine team is a sure sign of the team's ambition. But its latest appointment from MotoGP could be an even bigger coup as it seeks to end a barren run stretching back to Alonso's 2006 world title