Rehabilitation patient Johann Zarco (Honda) doesn’t want to be a MotoGP superhero

The last Catalan Grand Prix at the Barcelona circuit went down in MotoGP history in an inglorious manner. It was only after the third start and two intensive interventions by the medical team that the race finally crossed the finish line with Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46-Ducati) in the lead. The mood at the podium ceremony was sombre – Alex Márquez and Johann Zarco were being treated in hospital.

Whilst the runner-up in the world championship from Spain made a swift recovery and has been back in MotoGP action since the Brno GP, Johann is working towards his return on a different timetable. Although still tentative, the manufacturer, team and rider are currently talking about September. In any case, it is considered highly likely that the Honda LCR rider will be back in action at the start of the overseas races, with the Japanese Grand Prix on 4 October heralding the final phase of the 2026 season.

The months of rehabilitation are due to the complex nature of his knee injury. Furthermore, because of the severe abrasions, it was not possible for a long time to carry out surgery without taking unacceptable risks. It is now clear that the oldest rider in the premier class will be left without any serious long-term damage.

Zarco verletzte sich in Catalunya am linken Bein

Foto: instagram Johann Zarco

Shortly after the crash at Turn 1 in Barcelona, in which the Frenchman ended up on Pecco Bagnaia’s bike, Zarco wasn’t thinking about motorcycling at first. “I just hoped that I’d be able to walk again,” said Johann Zarco in a recording by the French broadcaster Canal+.

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In his message in French, the 36-year-old also drew comparisons with the recovery period of world champion Marc Marquez, which had been followed with great media interest. Zarco: “I saw how Marc was suffering and grimacing as they injected his shoulder. That’s when I realised just how hard it is. I don’t feel as brave as he does; I don’t want to be a superhero.”

Safety: Accident victim Zarco was already off the transfer market

The two-time Moto2 world champion was fortunate in his misfortune, and not just from a medical point of view. The circumstances surrounding the incident are helping him to cope with the injury. Specifically, Johann went into the season feeling mentally relaxed precisely because he was not part of the key transfer market developments for 2027. Like his team-mate Diogo Moreira, Zarco was tied to the leading motorbike manufacturer from the summer of 2025 until the end of 2027.

The Frenchman, who lives in Andorra, is well aware: “But I can think that way because I’m lucky enough to already have a contract for 2027. That allows me to be patient,” said Zarco on Canal+. For the upcoming British Grand Prix, Zarco’s team, LCR-Honda, has the perfect replacement. Veteran Cal Crutchlow will be riding the RC213V in front of his home crowd.

Johann Zarco will im September zurück auf die MotoGP-Honda

Foto: Gold and Goose