---
title: "Zarco feels mixed FP4 prepared him for pole charge"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2017/06/24/zarco-feels-mixed-fp4-prepared-him-for-pole-charge/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Lewis Duncan"
section: "MotoGP News"
published: "2017-06-24T17:32:23Z"
modified: "2017-06-24T17:32:23Z"
---

# Zarco feels mixed FP4 prepared him for pole charge

Tech3 Yamaha’s Johann Zarco reckons his laps on wet tyres in a drying fourth free practice prepared him for his charge to a maiden MotoGP pole position for the Dutch TT.

The French rider was one of a few to venture out onto the Assen circuit in the iffy conditions of final practice on slicks, though soon encountered rain and switched to wet tyres. With parts of the circuit bone dry, while rain pounded other sections, Zarco used the opportunity to see how hard he could push in the mixed conditions.

![Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/06/699851314.jpg)

As Q2 wore on, the 2.89-mile Dutch circuit was continuing to dry out and improve, and Zarco feels his experience on wet tyres in similar conditions in fourth practice – as well his enjoyment for riding in said conditions – allowed him to snatch Tech3’s first pole since Brno 2013 with a 1m46.141s.

“I was quite okay, but then in FP4 it was dry condition but with rain tyre,” he said.

“We almost thought we can put the slick, and when we put the slick it was wet again. So I could again take this information, push on these dry conditions, then it was raining a lot.

“I think this helped me to manage my qualifying well.

“With this kind of condition, I like. Rain tyres on dry track, for the others, they are heating too much the tyres, and for me I have better feeling. So it was the chance to take today.”

![Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/06/685348428.jpg)

Zarco, who is now the first French MotoGP polesetter since Olivier Jacques at the 2002 German Grand Prix, felt after the Catalunya Grand Prix that he could have challenged for the podium had he started from the front two rows.

Still adamant that this is the case at Assen, Zarco knows starting from pole presents an even greater opportunity in Sunday’s 26-lap race.

“If I can have a second podium it would be fantastic. I learn a lot from Barcelona.

“I could understand if I could be on the first two rows I have a chance to be on the podium. I will start from pole, so it’s even more of chance.”