MotoGP: Finally some pace for Fabio Quartararo at Assen

It was with great hopes that Fabio Quartararo headed to Assen, in the Netherlands. A circuit whose characteristics allow Yamaha’s shortcomings to be overcome.

For this 10th round of the season, MotoGP was in the Netherlands at the Assen circuit. A track that favors chassis over engine. Good news for Fabio Quartararo, who has been experiencing difficulties for several years with his power units. Qualified in 9th position after escaping Q1, the Nice native harbored ambitions of scoring some points this weekend.

Despite a small hiccup when getting on the grid, Fabio Quartararo managed the absence of the front holeshot device well at the start. Outside the official Ducati riders, the Nice native had to give way to finish 8th after the first lap, then was quickly overtaken by Pedro Acosta on the short 487-meter straight. Proof that the Yamaha engine is really falling short. Forced to yield to Enea Bastianini and then Diogo Moreira, the Frenchman managed to reclaim tenth place through sheer determination. Fighting with these three riders for ninth place points, El Diablo gave his all to stay in contact without managing to get close enough to Pedro Acosta to attempt an attack.

At the end of the sprint race, the Nice native finished 10th, pointing out a small mistake early in the race: “I was behind Bastianini, so I had to get my position back. The start was correct, but I couldn’t really push at the beginning. I just need to get used to the front. With full fuel, there are fewer wheelies, so that’s okay.” However, the rest of the weekend did not look as promising. “Honestly, we know we’re going to suffer at the beginning of the race. As the laps go by, it gets harder for me. But I’ll try to do my best and get the best possible result.”

An encouraging pace in the Grand Prix

Winner in 2021 on this track, Fabio Quartararo made an excellent start again by passing two riders at the braking of the first turn. In the leading group, the Maralpin took advantage of the battle up front to stay in contact in the first three laps. But as the laps went by, the number 20 showed its limitations. Forced to let the men ahead of him go, the Azuréen lost three places in a short time due to lack of pace.

Tenth after the first quarter of the race, the Nice native found himself ahead of Pramac Yamaha rider Toprak Ramazanoglu. Moving at the same pace, the two men neutralized each other and took advantage of the troubles of the riders ahead of them. While the Turk also had to retire shortly after the midpoint of the race, Fabio Quartararo found himself alone in the middle of the field in 8th position. Approximately 0.5 seconds slower than the men ahead at the end of the race, the Frenchman worked to resist the return of Brad Binder’s KTM. Both on the edge of a penalty in the final laps for frequently exceeding track limits, it was difficult to make a difference. Nevertheless, it is the first time since the French and Catalan Grand Prix that the Frenchman manages to score big points by finishing 8th.

Next Grand Prix in two weeks in Germany at the Sachsenring. A race that Johann Zarco will miss, still awaiting surgery despite a partial return to training last week.