Cookie Consent by Free Privacy Policy website Disappointing Dutch Weekend for Yamaha in Assen
june 27, 2022 - Yamaha Racing

Disappointing Dutch Weekend for Yamaha in Assen

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP and the WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP team endured a difficult Dutch Grand Prix with just #andreadovizioso reaching the chequered flag, but narrowly missing out on points in 16th position. Crashes saw #fabioquartararo, #francomorbidelli and #darrynbinder unable to finish the race.  


Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP pairing #fabioquartararo and #francomorbidelli failed to finish at round 11 of the MotoGP World Championship, both crashing out of the Dutch Grand Prix separately at turn five.  


After powering through a drenched day one at the TT Circuit Assen, Saturday’s qualifying session set #fabioquartararo up for a battle at the front in Sunday’s 26-lap encounter, as the Frenchman qualified second on the grid.  


Launching from the middle of the front row, the 23-year-old aimed to take the lead, but a mistake at turn one whilst battling with Francesco Bagnaia left him in the clutches of Aleix Espargaró. Ending the opening lap in third, Quartararo pushed on, setting a new fastest lap of the race as he looked to reclaim second position. 


But disaster struck with 22 laps to go when the Frenchman collided with Espargaró at turn five, sliding out of podium contention. Rejoining the race unhurt, but in last place, Quartararo pulled into the pits to see if anything could be done and quickly headed back out again in the hope of collecting some championship points, but a second crash on lap 11 ended his race early. 


Fortunes weren’t much better on the other side of the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP pit garage, as #francomorbidelli too suffered from a crash.  


The Italian started the race from 20th on the grid and held position on the opening lap. Aiming to make progress, the Italian had to take a long-lap penalty for obstructing another rider in free practice, but didn’t take the penalty until lap five, which was too late meaning he’d have to complete a second long-lap.


Re-joining in 23rd, he was keen to bridge the gap to the riders in front of him. However, as he pushed on, he fell at turn five. Like his team-mate, he was initially able to resume riding, but soon after retired from the race with 18 laps to go. 


WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team’s #andreadovizioso endured a difficult Grand Prix. Making progress across the weekend, the Italian was hopeful of making up positions from his 17th place grid spot. Ending the opening lap at the back of the field, Dovizioso got his head down and worked his way towards the points. Using his experience as the rain began to fall at the mid-way stage, the Yamaha rider worked his way up to 16th, where he ultimately finished the Grand Prix. 


Team-mate #darrynbinder had struggled with the limited dry running across the Dutch TT weekend, but like team-mate Dovizioso, had hoped for a strong race. The South African had worked his way up to 18th before a fast crash at turn ten ended his Grand Prix prematurely. 


Today‘s results see Quartararo‘s lead in the championship standings reduced to 21 points, with his 172 points total, while Morbidelli remains in 19th with 25 points. After Round 11, Yamaha remain second with 172 points in the Constructor championship, and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP now are in shared second position with 197 points in the Team championship. WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team riders #darrynbinder and #andreadovizioso lie in 21st and 22nd positions respectively.   


The MotoGP paddock will enjoy a five week break before returning to action in August for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, where #fabioquartararo will have to serve his long-lap penalty sanction that he was awarded following the incident involving Aleix Espargaró on lap three. The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team put in an appeal, but Race Direction was not swayed.