Zarco before comeback: “Great to experience the adrenaline rush again”

– Johann Zarco is about to make his MotoGP comeback. At the Aragon Grand Prix next weekend, the Frenchman will return to his Honda, subject to medical clearance on site, after more than three months of injury-related forced break.

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Even Zarco himself did not expect it to happen so quickly. “I really didn’t think I would be riding MotoGP again so soon or making my MotoGP comeback,” he says in an interview with the French broadcaster Canal+.

It has now been three months and a little over a week since his crash in Barcelona. Originally, even surgery on the injured knee was considered.

Zarco avoids surgery and increases training

At the beginning of July, Zarco then received the news that he could forgo surgery and rely on conservative rehab. At the beginning of August, the Frenchman resumed training. At first, he cautiously worked on a supermoto, then increased the load on a Honda CBR.

The production motorcycle is particularly suitable for preparation because the seating position is very similar to that of a MotoGP machine, allowing Zarco to keep his knee in a comparable position. The training progress was so positive that a return in Aragon is now possible.

“After several training sessions on a supermoto and the CBR, I noticed that it was going well. The CBR has a similar seating position to a MotoGP bike, where you are bent much more forward,” explains Zarco.

He is confident about his comeback: “It’s worth returning after Aragon and getting a feel for riding at more than 300 km/h again.”

Cal Crutchlow stays on site as backup

Despite the positive development, LCR is not taking unnecessary risks. Cal Crutchlow, who replaced Zarco during his injury break, will be on site in Aragon and is ready should Zarco not be able to compete for the entire weekend.

Originally, LCR had planned to use Crutchlow in Aragon anyway. Zarco’s rapid recovery, however, made the Frenchman’s return possible earlier than expected.

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Zarco has regained trust in his body

The fact that he will be riding again at more than 300 km/h after the accident does not cause Zarco excessive nervousness. Although he will be getting back on his MotoGP Honda for the first time since the Barcelona crash in Aragon, the past training weeks have given him the necessary confidence back.

“Getting fit again and regaining trust in your own body helps to dispel all doubts about the accident,” explains the 36-year-old. The Frenchman is still in the rehabilitation phase but now sees himself on the way back to slowly becoming race-fit again.

“I am happy. However, I am still in the middle of my rehab and working on getting fit again or rather, getting back to my racing form. Actually, Aragon comes at exactly the right time,” says Zarco.

Not only racing was missed by Zarco

Photo gallery: The career highlights of Johann Zarco

For his return, it is not just about the physical strain. He also missed the usual daily life of a MotoGP rider during the forced break: “It’s just nice to return to my world a little bit.”

With 22 Grands Prix per year, there are many weekends and weeks shaped by it. For Zarco, the usual racing life includes not only his team but also the paddock and the special Grand Prix atmosphere.

“We are used to this world, our team, and the atmosphere in the paddock, as well as the desire to give everything every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday every weekend.”

The past weeks have been much quieter and allowed more time for preparation, “which is very pleasant.” Nevertheless, Zarco emphasizes: “I am very happy to return to this rhythm of life. You get used to the adrenaline rush. It’s great to experience it again.”

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