JOHANN ZARCO RIDES AGAIN AS HE STEPS UP TRAINING TOWARD SEPTEMBER RETURN

Almost three months after a serious Barcelona crash on 17 May, Johann Zarco has returned to a bike as he targets a comeback. The LCR rider was hurt in two incidents during the Catalan GP, leaving him sidelined, with the second accident coming after Alex Marquez collided with Pedro Acosta and a Ducati component striking Zarco’s leg.

Now, Crash.net reports that Zarco is back training “almost every day” as his planned September return moves closer. LCR team owner Lucio Cecchinello said at Silverstone that the Frenchman is “training almost every day with an off-road bike and flat track,” adding that Zarco is “now definitely focused on coming back.” Cecchinello also confirmed that Zarco no longer needs surgery for the knee ligament damage suffered at Catalunya, which had been triggered when he became tangled in Pecco Bagnaia’s rear wheel during the restarted race.

Even with that positive development, Cecchinello stressed that Zarco still faces a lengthy rehabilitation. He pointed to LCR’s home round at Misano as the target for the return, while making clear the final decision will be medical. “We hope that his return will be in September, as planned,” Cecchinello said. “I don’t hide that [Misano] is the target, but the final word will be made by his doctors, and also the MotoGP doctor. So, let’s see. I know that he’s doing his best, and from our side, we are always ready.”

If the Misano timeline holds, Crash.net notes that Cal Crutchlow—who has been replacing Zarco during his recovery—could make his final stand-in appearance at Aragon later this month.