JOHANN ZARCO EXPLAINS WHY HE RETURNED EARLY FROM CATALAN CRASH IN ARAGON

Johann Zarco is preparing to return to MotoGP this weekend at the Aragon Grand Prix, just three months after a brutal crash at the Catalan GP that left him with multiple serious injuries. The incident at Montmelo was described as one of the most dangerous crashes in recent MotoGP history, and in the immediate aftermath Zarco admitted he feared he might not walk again.

During Zarco’s absence, LCR moved quickly to keep a second bike on the grid. The team called on Cal Crutchlow to deputise, bringing the Briton out of retirement for a brief stint while Zarco focused on recovery.

Speaking to Canal+ during coverage of the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix, Zarco explained that his comeback timing is earlier than he had expected. “I’m happy. Besides, I’m still in the midst of rehabilitation, getting back into shape. Or rather, re-athleticisation, that would be the right word,” he said. He added that the Aragon round “comes at the right time,” stressing that he “really didn’t think” he would be back on a MotoGP bike so soon. “Actually, Aragon comes at the right time. I really didn’t think I’d be riding a MotoGP bike or jumping into MotoGP so soon. It’s been three months and one week since I crashed in Barcelona,” Zarco said.

His rehabilitation has included training on machines that help him rebuild the specific riding demands of MotoGP. Zarco described using a supermotard and a CBR, explaining that the CBR is “really a bike with the same riding position as a MotoGP bike, so much more leaned over.” According to Zarco, those sessions helped him judge whether his body could handle the posture and intensity again. “In the end, after several training sessions on the supermotard and the CBR – it’s really a bike with the same riding position as a MotoGP bike, so much more leaned over – I saw that it was working well. It’s worth being able to return to Aragon and regain some feeling at over 300 km/h,” he said.

For Zarco, the key step in moving forward wasn’t only physical healing, but also rebuilding confidence in his body. “Getting back into shape and regaining confidence in your body allows you to remove any doubts about the accident,” he explained. He also spoke about the emotional side of returning, describing the motivation that comes from being back in the MotoGP environment. “It’s the pleasure of rediscovering a bit of my world… We’re used to this world, to our own team, to the atmosphere in the paddock, and to wanting to ‘give everything,’ Friday, Saturday, Sunday, every weekend,” Zarco said.

He acknowledged that the rhythm of life in recent weeks has been different, with more time to prepare and a more relaxed pace, but said the adrenaline pull of racing remains strong. “I’m pleased to find this rhythm of life again, even though the pace of life of the last few weeks—more relaxed, with more time to prepare—is very pleasant. We’re still addicted to this adrenaline rush, and it’s good to rediscover it.”

Zarco’s return is still subject to a medical examination, with the expectation that he will be on track at Aragon if there are no serious complications. Both the rider and LCR are expected to approach the first weekend back cautiously, with the goal of avoiding any further injury or aggravation after such a significant crash.