Johann Zarco MotoGP Crash Sequence From Qatar

Frenchman fell while leading Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix.

Johann Zarco crashes out of the lead at Losail International Circuit.Animated GIF: Ralph Hermens

(See the crash sequence photos by Bonnie Lane below!)

Did Johann Zarco have a MotoGP debut race win firmly in his grasp when he crashed out of Sunday night's Grand Prix of Qatar? Impossible to say, but the two-time Moto2 world champion did take the lead and open a nearly two-second gap on Grand Prix racing's best before slipping off his Tech3 Yamaha in Turn 2 on the sixth of 20 scheduled laps.

“The track was not perfect, but my feeling was very strong and my grid position was close to the top,” said the 26-year-old Frenchman. “I overtook some good riders at the first corner and I then got into a consistent rhythm. I kept pushing, but on the sixth lap, I decided to relax and maybe I went off the racing line a little bit and fell.”

Losail International Circuit is notoriously slippery off line, and traction was further compromised on Sunday by rain and a delayed race start. While this mistake could be viewed as part of Zarco’s MotoGP education, fans may not have to wait long to see his trademark post-win backflip, albeit this time in the premier class.

Two-time Moto2 world champion Johann Zarco took the lead in his MotoGP debut at Qatar but lost his line going into Turn 2 on on the sixth lap.Photo: Bonnie Lane
Johann Zarco crash sequence was captured by MotoGP photographer Bonnie Lane.Photo: Bonnie Lane
Zarco would have been the first Frenchman to win to win in a long time. Do you remember who the last French winner was?Photo: Bonnie Lane
Johann Zarco crash sequencePhoto: Bonnie Lane
Johann Zarco crash sequencePhoto: Bonnie Lane
Johann Zarco crash sequencePhoto: Bonnie Lane
Johann Zarco crash sequencePhoto: Bonnie Lane
Johann Zarco crash sequencePhoto: Bonnie Lane
Had Zarco continued on to win, the Bwin odds would have paid off at 66:1.Photo: Bonnie Lane