Johann Zarco
After four seasons with a Ducati that brought him his first MotoGP victory in 2023, Johann Zarco is taking on a new challenge this season with Lucio Cecchinello's Honda LCR team.
Born in Cannes on 16 July 1990, Zarco aims to help the world's leading manufacturer, which has been under pressure from the European factories, return to the front of the pack. Johann Zarco has a wealth of experience to draw on, making him one of the most experienced riders in the MotoGP Championship.
Winner of the Rookies Cup in 2007, the French Riviera rider made his 125cc Grand Prix debut with the WTR team two years later.
He won his first Grand Prix in 2011 with the Ajo team, concluding his third season in the introductory class with the title of runner-up. After moving up to Moto2 with the JiR team, Johann had to wait until his return to the Ajo team to take his first World Championship title in 2015.
He retained his crown the following season and moved up to the MotoGP class in Yamaha Tech 3 colours. Best rookie with three podiums and sixth at the end of the season, the SHARK rider quickly found his feet in the premier class.
Recruited by the official KTM team for 2019, Johann Zarco unfortunately failed to find his way with the Austrian's RC16. He decided to cancel his contract with the Matighofen factory before the end of the season.
On the sidelines, however, he took part in the last three Grands Prix with the LCR team, replacing the injured Takaaki Nakagami. In 2020 Johann Zarco joined the Ducati camp with the Avintia team. A convincing performance, thanks in particular to a podium finish at Brno, earned him a place in the Pramac structure for 2021. The Frenchman spent three seasons with Paolo Campinoti's team, finishing on the podium fourteen times and taking his first MotoGP victory at the historic Australian Grand Prix.