Johann Zarco has described salvaging a point by pushing his bike across the finish line in the San Marino Grand Prix as “better than nothing.”
Zarco had been running seventh when his Tech 3 Yamaha ran out of fuel on the final lap at Misano.
The M1 stopped at the final corner, prompting the Frenchman to dismount and push it along the main straight to the finish line.
Zarco dropped to 15th as a result, last of those on the lead lap, earning a single championship point but also a big applause from the crowd.
Speaking to media afterwards, Zarco was philosophical about the issue and said he was pleased to at least be able to put on a show for the spectators that cheered him over the line.
“I got the fuel problem before Turn 11, I tried to stay in sixth gear and really use the minimum of the bike,” he said.
“This was working until Turn 14, but the last two lefts were even worse.
“From the last corner, I had to go down next to the bike and run, and it was long.
“I knew that there are two lines, the start line and the finish line, (and) the finish line was really far.
“It’s good to have the public for that. We must think that a MotoGP race is a show, so at least I (put on) some show and they won’t forget it.
“It’s the kind of thing that should not happen, so we’re disappointed.
“(But) in the end I got one point, better than nothing. There are worse things in life than finishing without fuel.”
Zarco added that he was aware he was losing positions as riders passed him within sight of the finish line, including LCR Honda rider Cal Crutchlow, who had previously crashed out of fifth.
“(As) I was running, I saw people pass me,” Zarco said.
“I didn’t see (Jonas) Folger but I saw the two KTMs and also Crutchlow; even with the crash he finished in front of me.
“You lose less time crashing than pushing your bike.”
VIDEO: Zarco pushes his bike across the finish line
What a heroic effort from Zarco as he pushes his bike over the line!💪
He still finished in the points 👏 pic.twitter.com/05mFvPO0F6
— MotoGP™🇸🇲🏁 (@MotoGP) September 10, 2017
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