Zarco hopes he can surprise himself with results in ’21, eyes Miller-like run

Johann Zarco hopes that he can surprise himself with results in 2021 MotoGP, as he wishes to perform like Jack Miller with Pramac Ducati.

Having switched to Ducati in 2020 with Avintia Racing, Zarco had a new start to his MotoGP career after a troublesome time with KTM. Not only he had a podium finish in only his first year on the Desmosedici, he finished a credible 13th with 77 points.

His performances helped Ducati to put him at Pramac Racing in 2021, whose riders have the biggest chance to secure a factory seat, as seen with the case of Miller and Francesco Bagnaia from 2020 to 2021 MotoGP season.

Zarco started his preparations with Pramac this week at Jerez but it was cut short due to adverse weather. The Frenchman rode few laps on the Ducati Panigale along with test rider Michele Pirro, as the MotoGP riders clubbed on with the World Superbike riders.

While speaking to MotoGP website, Zarco talked about the 2021 season, where he hopes to surprise himself just like in 2020. Expectedly, wins and podiums is the aim, but the Frenchman would like to be on-song like Miller, to be always there in the top half.

“I preferred to wait for the dry conditions but no big drama, it’s only the beginning of training,” started Zarco. “I think in February I will get more opportunities to come to Spain for training and prepare myself for March to ride the Pramac Ducati bike in Qatar.

“In 2020 I learned a lot of things on the Ducati, I also had good performance but not very good consistency over the season. So the way Jack Miller finished the season on the Pramac Ducati bike, fighting for podiums and thinking about victories, I would like to perform in the same way.

“I need to see how I will be on the new [GP20] bike. If I can fight for podiums, I would love to take it and do it consistently during the season. In 2020 there were so many riders thinking about victories and we also got a new world champion in Joan Mir.

“It means that almost everything is possible [for 2021]. Everyone was so fast, just to be in Top 10, sometimes it was difficult for us. I think we will see a similar performance from everyone, many riders know very well the bike. It’s going to be tough but this is the beauty of the highest level of MotoGP.

“From my side I would like to perform a lot to keep the dream on. I think win is something possible, I think, right now, it is difficult to say but you never know, if I start the season well and I can control the bike, I think I can even have a good surprise for myself,” summed up Zarco, who pairs up with rookie Jorge Martin at Pramac.

Here’s gallery of Johann Zarco and others testing: https://www.motogp.com/en/gallery/2021/01/22/motogp-stars-return-to-action-in-jerez/360426

Here’s revised 2021 MotoGP calendar

Here’s Ducati signing long-term deal