Johann Zarco is the youngest MotoGP rider to be back on a Grand Prix circuit.
The Avintia Ducati star spent yesterday riding a Panigale V4 superbike at the Circuit de Catalunya in what was the first time he had broken the 300-mph since the end of MotoGP testing in Qatar on February 24 mark exceeded.
But in a sign of the added travel complications the sport is having to deal with in the coronavirus era, Zarco was stopped at the France-Spain border and required documents from Dorna before he was allowed to continue his journey.
“I was lucky and thank Dorna for giving me the papers to come to Catalonia because yesterday I was blocked by the police at the France-Spain border to check why I’m entering Spain,” said Zarco the official MotoGP website. “I could not have come here to train without these Dorna documents.
“But now I’m here and it makes me feel good… I’m happy to go over 300km/h – with this Panigale it’s possible to go very fast and it’s so important because I could see that my mind slowed down a bit reflex.
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“So it is necessary to drive at high speed to get used to it and to be ready [the first race at] Jerez in July.”
Zarco was joined by Moto2 riders Jorge Martin, Xavi Vierge and Raul Fernandez of Moto3 yesterday on track.
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