Folger: Breakthrough podium no one-off
ByAutoSport
Published 05/07/2017 at 11:26 GMT
Tech3 Yamaha rider Jonas Folger believes his breakthrough ride to second in last weekend's MotoGP German Grand Prix can act as a springboard for similar results in the future.
Eurosport
Image credit: Eurosport
Folger pushed Honda's Marc Marquez all the way in Sunday's Sachsenring race, enjoying a five-lap spell in the lead and staying within one second of the reigning champion before his tyres "gave up".
He was still able to record a first podium since his graduation to the premier class, finishing a comfortable second ahead of the second works Honda of Dani Pedrosa.
"I wanted to prove exactly what I did - that I am not only fast in practice and can get one or two good results in the rain," said Folger.
"I [proved] also I can be strong on such a weekend, where I have a lot pressure, at home, that I can stay calm and turn the pressure into something positive, that I can be a strong rider.
"I believe there is a lot more to come."
Folger's second place marked the third time in six MotoGP races that the satellite Tech3 outfit has beaten the works Yamahas of Valentino and Maverick Vinales.
The factory pair finished fourth and fifth respectively in Germany, and for the past two rounds have been experimenting with new chassis.
"The factory team has problems right now and struggles, I believe on the chassis side," Folger added.
"But we are not looking at them.
"They have big concerns, as Johann and I are beating the factory team.
"But we concentrate on ourselves and try to make the best out of what we've got."
Folger's team-mate Zarco, who took Tech3's first podium of the year in his home race at Le Mans, recovered to finish in ninth place in Germany after qualifying 19th - a week after taking pole position in Assen.
The Frenchman conceded he thought he would not have been capable of matching his team-mate's pace, even if he had started higher up the order.
"Even if I started from the second row of the grid, like Jonas, I could not have this pace," said Zarco.
"I did all my laps in 1m22s, and he did the race in under 22s.
"Maybe it was possible to have fourth or fifth like Vinales and Rossi, because I had their pace, but the podium was not possible for me this weekend.
"I'm really happy for what he did, it's good for him, good for us also, for the team it's fantastic."
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement