---
title: "Zarco pleased podium was close"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2017/04/24/zarco-pleased-podium-close/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alex Murray"
section: "MotoGP News"
published: "2017-04-24T08:05:23Z"
modified: "2017-04-24T08:07:05Z"
---

# Zarco pleased podium was close

Tech 3’s Johann Zarco is pleased that the podium was almost in reach, after a hard fought race for the Frenchman at the Circuit of the Americas.

Zarco ended up in fifth after battles with Valentino Rossi and, later in the race, Cal Crutchlow. The Frenchman, despite his best efforts, was just pipped by the LCR rider at the death, but was not too disappointed with the result.

“I am really happy with the result but the start of the race was tricky and it was not easy to get into a good position at the first turn,” he said.

“However, I felt great on my Yamaha so I started attacking from the third corner, and I was quickly able to overtake my opponents and get into 5th.”

![Getty Images/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/04/672041710.jpg)

In the early stages of the race, Zarco and Rossi got very close during their battle for third, the pair almost colliding at Turn 3. The Italian was forced to take the escape road, which gained him a 0.3s penalty from Race Direction and left him unimpressed with Zarco’s ‘Moto2’ behaviour.

“I wanted to follow the top group so I pushed to stay close to Valentino and I was able to fight with him, which was fantastic,” Zarco added.

“We came very close at one point because I had a bit more speed than him in the third corner, and maybe it was a bit too tight but fortunately, nothing serious happened and he went on to finish second.”

“I really didn’t want to cause a problem for Vale and I know that I can learn a lot from him so luckily, we both recovered.

“After this, I continued to do my best and at the end of the sprint, Crutchlow was slightly faster, but nevertheless, 5th is just awesome and I am pleased because the podium was close today.”