LCR Honda rider Johann Zarco described his recovery process following his crash at corner one of the Catalan GP in May in an interview with Canal+. The French rider said that two of the three torn ligaments in his knee healed without surgery, describing the situation as almost miraculous.<\/p>\n
Zarco, 35, had initially aimed for a return in September after the serious accident in which he tore multiple ligaments in his knee. However, recent developments suggest that a comeback may happen sooner. The rider stated that two of the ligaments are healing at an extraordinary rate and that he has regained normal mobility. \u201cBoth have healed and are closing very, very well. It\u2019s a bit of a miracle,\u201d he said. Zarco also emphasized that the stress on the knee in motorcycle racing is different compared to disciplines like football or skiing, adding: \u201cI\u2019m not a football player, I\u2019m not a skier. The load on the knee when riding a motorcycle is different.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zarco also made clear what would have happened if the surgery decision had been made: \u201cIf they still told me I needed surgery \u2014wait, have surgery, then wait again\u2014 my season would have been completely ruined. So I\u2019m really happy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zarco has announced that he plans to resume training on his motorcycle in early or mid-August. This schedule makes Silverstone an unrealistic option due to the short time remaining until the British GP in early August. However, the Aragon GP, which will be held in the last week of August, stands out as a possible date for the rider's return to the track. Zarco said on the subject: \u201cI can get back to training; for an athlete, it\u2019s like coming back to life when you get back to training. I don\u2019t want to come back full throttle, I want to come back in good condition and with confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following a video conference with MotoGP stewards on Thursday during the German GP weekend, it was announced that Zarco has been penalized with a double long lap for causing the crash in Catalonia. The rider will have to serve this penalty in his first race back on track.<\/p>\n
In the same interview, Zarco described his decision to go out on track for a second start in Barcelona as his biggest mistake. Affected by the crash between Pedro Acosta and Alex Marquez, the French rider explained that a piece of debris from Marquez's fall hit his foot, prompting him to pit and remove his boot. \u201cMy foot was bruised. I\u2019m angry at myself for going back out when I should have stayed in the pit. It\u2019s amazing to miraculously survive, but it\u2019s important to realize that it could have been prevented,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n