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Zarco got here from sixth on the grid to finish runner-up to Marco Bezzecchi in the rain-hit 25-lap grand prix at Rio Hondo, after passing poleman Alex Marquez for second on the final tour.
The Pramac Ducati rider had immense tempo within the second half of the race to get himself into podium rivalry, however at one stage he was down in eighth and over eight seconds from the podium.
Zarco’s moist kind had him believing he may combat for victory on Sunday, however struggled a lot for grip within the first eight laps that he was “nearly crashing”.
“The others have this benefit initially of the race that they can use the grip of the tyre fairly properly,” he mentioned.
“However when the grip will get a little bit bit decrease, I could make the distinction. This got here after half of the race.
“It’s a little bit of a pity as a result of I anticipated to have an opportunity to win in these situations, however clearly the primary half, the primary eight laps, I couldn’t be a lot quicker.
“I used to be sliding, nearly crashing, and the others had been combating me too. So, it was type of powerful.
“Then it was good to see I may use my traces, my benefit, and happily we didn’t have one lap or much less or else I couldn’t catch Alex.
“It was simply the proper timing. I attempted to grasp the place the chief was, however I couldn’t see him. Bezzecchi has been wonderful all weekend and he’s doing a improbable job.”
Johann Zarco, Pramac Racing
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
This marked Zarco’s first podium look for the reason that 2022 German GP, with the Frenchman including: “I used to be seeing perhaps three or 4 guys in entrance of me, however I used to be in eighth place and I used to be saying ‘I’ve to consider on this podium, however I don’t even see it’.
“So, I simply obtained targeted, tried to catch as many positions as doable after which it got here.
“Total, the final three laps it was simply Alex and [Franco] Morbidelli and I had this further push.
“I may make the distinction, however for certain my tyres had been getting fairly used and from half race to the top I used to be asking numerous the tyres, so my bike began to maneuver round rather a lot.
“So, it was simply excellent. It’s good to have this type of lead to Argentina and I’ll take pleasure in it as a result of it’s been a very long time since I may style the rostrum.”
