Zarco and Syahrin are gearing up for German GP
Before the World Championship will take a short summer break, the entire circus is set to travel to Germany this weekend for the ninth round of the 2018 season. Thereby, Monster Yamaha Tech3 star Johann Zarco is eager to continue his progress seen during the previous Grand Prix in Assen, Netherlands, where he was able to stick with the front group almost all race long.
On the other hand, Hafizh Syahrin can’t wait to ride at the unique venue, which is the shortest track in the calendar for the first time with his Yamaha YZR-M1. Following a difficult Dutch Grand Prix the Malaysian rookie aims to score points again, before he recharges his batteries for the second half of the season. The action at the Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland kicks off at 9.55 local time this Friday.
Johann Zarco
Championship: 4th – Points: 81
“The Sachsenring in Germany is a small track, but very interesting and very nice. Sometimes we had a lot of rain there, but even then the circuit is incredible and offers so much grip, which is even disturbing me a bit, because it’s just unbelievable how you can lean the bike in the wet. You need some time to get used to that. When it’s dry, I just hope it’s also warm, as we feel better like this, overall on the right side, because there are so many left corners, so the right side of the tyre is always a bit cold. Last year, I finished in ninth position and my former teammate Jonas did an incredible Grand Prix on his home track. I would like to understand what it needs to repeat it and be on the podium at the Sachsenring, which would be fantastic.”
Hafizh Syahrin
Championship: 17th – Points: 17
“Germany is a different track than others, it’s small and technical. I try to work hard towards the race on Sunday to be ready for the long 30 laps. I hope I can find a good feeling with the bike like the beginning of the last round. I’m really looking forward to this weekend! I want to improve myself and try to be back inside the points scoring positions in order to fight for the top rookie spot again. I hope the weather will be nice and then we will see what happens.”
Hervé PONCHARAL
Team Manager
“Sachsenring marks the end of the first part of the season before the whole paddock is going on vacation for a short summer break and of course it’s always good to end up the first part on a positive note. Right now, Johann is holding fourth position in provisional ranking. Of course, it would be great to retain that, but we know that it’s not going to be easy, as there are quite a few riders directly behind him. Sachsenring will be important on that point in order to go to the summer break with a positive feeling, which helps to rest more and come back with a better feeling when we restart in Czech Republic. Last year we had a beautiful and incredible feeling to see our rider Jonas Folger fighting for the lead and eventually finishing second for his first ever podium in the MotoGP class in front of his home crowd. This was very unique and it still brings tears to my eyes to remember that, it was great feeling for whole team, but also for Jonas it was a dream coming true. We know that we can be strong at this circuit, I also remember some great races Cal Crutchlow did, finishing second to Marc Marquez some years to go. It’s a place with great results and great memories, a place where I think we have quite a lot of fans. It’s always a pleasure coming to the Sachsenring, there’s a big crowd, which gives us a good feeling. The very passionate people always make us having a great time there. Hopefully, the weather will be warm. Hafizh is also having a big fight for his championship which is the top rookie position. It was not too positive in Assen and I don’t think Sachsenring has been very sweet to him so far, but he came to spent a few days at the workshop, where I told him ‘If you want to be a good rider, you have to be fast everywhere. Just go there and have fun, this is how you get the results.’ Johann has to fight to keep the fourth position and Hafizh is going to push to hopefully getting some points on Franco Morbidelli. Then we all go for few days of vacation before we head to second part of the season.”