Michael Scott | May 3, 2018
Confirmed: Johann Zarco Signs with KTM in MotoGP—The rumor was true. The hottest unsigned rider in MotoGP has made up his mind. Johann Zarco has signed a two-year contract with the Red Bull KTM team.
Confirmed: Johann Zarco Signs with KTM in MotoGP
Zarco’s move was surprising, given he chose to knock back the second seat at Repsol Honda alongside Marc Marquez (right) for 2019.
The French double-Moto2 champion will join current incumbent Pol Espargaro, also on for another two years; leaving an intriguing vacancy in the French Tech3 team, which has also signed up with the Austrian manufacturer, promised full factory machines for two as yet unknown riders.
“It’s a great challenge for the future–a European bike with a European rider,” said Zarco. “The way KTM improved last year makes me think something is possible.”
He confirmed that HRC had approached him, and thought about the implications of being teammate to Marquez. “I was talking with my coach, that if you are with Marquez and if you want to win races you would have to improve your riding level a lot; so I thought with that level I could be fast also with KTM. We were thinking: if you put Marc on the KTM, where would it be?”
Zarco’s deal appears to be at the expense of Bradley Smith; though the English rider was hinting there may be a place for him back at Tech3, to continue his development role with KTM.
Zarco’s new steed. He will replace Bradley Smith in the Red Bull-backed squad.
KTM Motorsports Director Pit Beirer saw it as a forward step.
“It is clear we want to take another step in MotoGP,” he said, in an official statement. “The first two years were about building the project.
“We had to trust in our capability to build a winning bike and Johann would not come over if he did not see and feel that trust. We feel very responsible now to get that package strong enough so that he can continue on the level where he is.
“You always want to get the best possible riders on board and it’s obvious with Johann beating the factory guys on satellite machinery and consistently qualifying on the front row means he is a strong fighter with a strong spirit. I’m convinced we can reach the next level with a rider like Johann with us.”
The second Repsol seat still up for grabs
With another piece of the jigsaw in place, the focus switched to the remaining unsold seats: at Repsol Honda, Suzuki, and Ducati in particular.
Asked about his potential teammate, Marquez was loyal. “I always said I would like a strong teammate, and I think there are only two riders who are there: Dani [Pedrosa] and Andrea [Dovizioso].”
Dovi has yet to sign to stay with Ducati, with his name rather vaguely linked to Suzuki. “We are working on the future, and speaking about that, but there is no need to decide now,” he said.
Currently under-performing teammate Jorge Lorenzo is aware that his position at Ducati might be tenuous; while he is also a possible Suzuki prospect. “In this sport, your last result is very important, so I am focused on improving my results,” he said.
Andrea Iannone, whose Suzuki seat is in doubt, acknowledged: “This is a very important moment for me.”
