Marco Bezzecchi
Johann Zarco has been one of MotoGP’s top performers to start the 2025 season, but his rich vein of form appeared to come to an end at the Spanish Grand Prix.
The Frenchman, who was yet to finish lower than seventh in an uninterrupted race, seemed to have far less pace than usual on his LCR bike.
Zarco managed an 11th place, but more interestingly, he wasn’t the fastest rider on a Honda bike at the Grand Prix of Spain.
For the first time this MotoGP season, Luca Marini finished ahead on merit and true pace, even if his teammate Joan Mir was even faster but yet again made a mistake and crashed.
Marini should be worried about Zarco, with the satellite rider now receiving preferential treatment due to his exceptional early-season performance.
On a positive note, Zarco is ‘very positive’ with Honda and the improvements they have made with their bike. Vibrations are now manageable and their speed has picked up as a result.
READ MORE: Luigi Dall’Igna and Johann Zarco agree on ‘wild’ MotoGP struggler after Americas Grand Prix
Johann Zarco admits LCR Honda were ‘missing’ speed at the Spanish Grand Prix
Zarco got ‘very angry’ at his Honda bike earlier in the season, but still managed to churn out positive results. Being near the podium was almost unthinkable last season.
Now the 34-year-old has certainly played himself into the picture for a factory promotion for 2026, with Marini’s contract expiring soon.
For the first time in 2025, he faced a bit of adversity in Jerez and admitted to Speedweek that his bike was simply missing one thing.
“In the end, Luca (Marini) was very strong and consistent; he also closed every door. It would have been nice to finish in the top 10, but at least it’s a few points. Let’s see what I can learn from Jerez,” he said.
“It’s a tricky track for my style. With all the developments in my riding style and bike, I was almost certain I could improve here as well, but that didn’t happen. I didn’t master my personal challenge.
“I had a very good start and was already in 6th or 7th place after the first two corners. That was actually the best part of the entire race! I thought half the job was done – but it wasn’t. The speed was simply missing this time!”
READ MORE: Luca Marini reveals the ‘unique’ reason Johann Zarco is beating him at Honda
Why Johann Zarco may struggle for the rest of the 2025 MotoGP season
After Honda’s shock improvements over the winter, finding even more speed with their bike would be a phenomenal achievement.
The first in-season test was scheduled for the Monday after the Spanish Grand Prix, with an opportunity for teams and riders to test new parts.
Zarco knew that Jerez wouldn’t play to his strengths, but many of the upcoming tracks during the European leg of the season won’t either.
If the bike remains where it is on pace, the lower end of the top 10 could be LCR’s ceiling, which would be a shame considering their exploits at the start of the year.
Remaining seventh in the riders’ standings will be an incredible achievement in itself, after a miserable 2024 campaign.
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