Johann Zarco to face penalty on MotoGP return from horror Barcelona crash

[analyse_image type=”featured” src=”https://www.crash.net/sites/default/files/2026-07/gng_1307363_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1600&aspect_ratio=16:9″]

Johann Zarco to face penalty on MotoGP return from horror Barcelona crash

Johann Zarco will have to serve a double long lap penalty when he returns to MotoGP.

Johann Zarco, MotoGP 2026.
© Gold and Goose

Johann Zarco will need to serve a double long lap penalty when he eventually returns to MotoGP action.

The LCR Honda rider suffered serious knee ligament injuries after triggering a Turn 1 accident during the restarted Catalunya Grand Prix in mid-May.

Zarco fell under braking before taking down Pecco Bagnaia and Luca Marini, with the Frenchman’s leg becoming tangled in the rear wheel of Bagnaia’s Ducati.

Bagnaia, Marini call for medical assistance for Zarco, 2026 Catalan MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose

Bagnaia and Marini escaped injury and were the first riders to assist Zarco at the scene.

The FIM MotoGP Stewards postponed their investigation because of Zarco’s injuries, but have now handed the Frenchman a double long lap penalty for his next grand prix.

A penalty statement issued on Thursday at the Sachsenring read:

Penalty Explanation

“Following the Penalty Protocols issued to teams, this action was deemed to be an incident of Type MGP-CC5: START OF THE RACE / OPENING LAP. Actions that create a dangerous situation for multiple riders and/or causing a crash.

“As a first offence for the season, the appropriate penalty in this case is a Double Long Lap Penalty.”

Johann Zarco, Catalunya accident.
© Gold and Goose

Zarco, who is being replaced by Cal Crutchlow, was initially expected to undergo surgery once his wounds had healed and the risk of infection had subsided.

However, a recent update from LCR confirmed surgery is no longer required, although Zarco is not expected to be fit to return until September.

That means he is also set to miss this weekend’s German MotoGP, followed by the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and the Aragon round.

Tags:

Johann Zarco
LCR Honda
MotoGP
Circuit de Catalunya

Latest News

Toprak Razgatlioglu names what’s missing to unlock “special” MotoGP results

35s ago

Why one Ducati MotoGP star was swayed to leave the brand for 2027

32m ago

Yamaha rider accepts MotoGP exit: “Trying to find something in WorldSBK”

37m ago

“It’s going to be interesting” – Ai Ogura, Jorge Martin talk Yamaha MotoGP move

1h ago

‘My biggest rival is…’ – Marc Marquez outlines his biggest concern in MotoGP title fight

1h ago

Don’t miss the latest MotoGP talking points

More News

“Important role” – Joan Mir on the Frankie Carchedi factor in Gresini MotoGP move

2h ago

“I’m burnt out” – Maverick Vinales’ extraordinary future claim after KTM MotoGP contract fallout

3h ago

MotoGP rider rejected by KTM “made a good decision” about 850cc future

3h ago

‘A common mistake’ – Marco Bezzecchi explains huge Assen MotoGP crash

3h ago

Pedro Acosta declared fit for Germany MotoGP after recent surgery

4h ago

Johann Zarco will have to serve a double long lap penalty when he returns to MotoGP.

Johann Zarco will need to serve a double long lap penalty when he eventually returns to MotoGP action.

The LCR Honda rider suffered serious knee ligament injuries after triggering a Turn 1 accident during the restarted Catalunya Grand Prix in mid-May.

Zarco fell under braking before taking down Pecco Bagnaia and Luca Marini, with the Frenchman’s leg becoming tangled in the rear wheel of Bagnaia’s Ducati.

Bagnaia, Marini call for medical assistance for Zarco, 2026 Catalan MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose

Bagnaia and Marini escaped injury and were the first riders to assist Zarco at the scene.

The FIM MotoGP Stewards postponed their investigation because of Zarco’s injuries, but have now handed the Frenchman a double long lap penalty for his next grand prix.

A penalty statement issued on Thursday at the Sachsenring read:

Penalty Explanation

“Following the Penalty Protocols issued to teams, this action was deemed to be an incident of Type MGP-CC5: START OF THE RACE / OPENING LAP. Actions that create a dangerous situation for multiple riders and/or causing a crash.

“As a first offence for the season, the appropriate penalty in this case is a Double Long Lap Penalty.”

Johann Zarco, Catalunya accident.
© Gold and Goose

Zarco, who is being replaced by Cal Crutchlow, was initially expected to undergo surgery once his wounds had healed and the risk of infection had subsided.

However, a recent update from LCR confirmed surgery is no longer required, although Zarco is not expected to be fit to return until September.

That means he is also set to miss this weekend’s German MotoGP, followed by the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and the Aragon round.

Johann Zarco will need to serve a double long lap penalty when he eventually returns to MotoGP action.

The LCR Honda rider suffered serious knee ligament injuries after triggering a Turn 1 accident during the restarted Catalunya Grand Prix in mid-May.

Zarco fell under braking before taking down Pecco Bagnaia and Luca Marini, with the Frenchman’s leg becoming tangled in the rear wheel of Bagnaia’s Ducati.

Bagnaia, Marini call for medical assistance for Zarco, 2026 Catalan MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose

Bagnaia and Marini escaped injury and were the first riders to assist Zarco at the scene.

The FIM MotoGP Stewards postponed their investigation because of Zarco’s injuries, but have now handed the Frenchman a double long lap penalty for his next grand prix.

A penalty statement issued on Thursday at the Sachsenring read:

Penalty Explanation

“Following the Penalty Protocols issued to teams, this action was deemed to be an incident of Type MGP-CC5: START OF THE RACE / OPENING LAP. Actions that create a dangerous situation for multiple riders and/or causing a crash.

“As a first offence for the season, the appropriate penalty in this case is a Double Long Lap Penalty.”

Johann Zarco, Catalunya accident.
© Gold and Goose

Zarco, who is being replaced by Cal Crutchlow, was initially expected to undergo surgery once his wounds had healed and the risk of infection had subsided.

However, a recent update from LCR confirmed surgery is no longer required, although Zarco is not expected to be fit to return until September.

That means he is also set to miss this weekend’s German MotoGP, followed by the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and the Aragon round.

[analyse_source url=”http://crash.net/motogp/news/1100440/1/johann-zarco-face-penalty-motogp-return-after-horror-barcelona-crash”]


Analyse


Post not analysed yet. Do the magic.