MotoGP: Dutch GP – Who was where?

The iconic Assen circuit hosted another thrilling round of MotoGP action. Fabio Quartararo came into this round with a huge points lead. However, it would not be Quartararo leaving Assen as a victor.

Ducati Lenovo Team:

Francesco Bagnaia: (1st)

The Italian who came to Assen with a 91 point deficit to Quartararo would enter the summer break on a high. Bagnaia took pole position on Saturday and converted his pole to a race win. The Italian collected a full bag of 25 points, which is exactly what he needed to do to stay in championship contention.

Jack Miller: (6th)

The Australian has had two brilliant races in a row. After a third place in Germany, Miller claimed a sixth place in the Netherlands. After looking like he could claim back to back podiums it just slipped away in the final chicane. But still a solid ride from Miller.

Mooney VR46 Racing Team:

Marco Bezzecchi: (2nd)

Marco Bezzecchi has been a very impressive rookie throughout 2022 and today proves that. A solid qualifying translated to a second place finish for Bezzecchi. This is his first MotoGP podium and also VR46’s first MotoGP podium as a team. This young Italian is one to watch for the future.

Luca Marini: (17th)

After some consistent races in weeks gone by Assen was very underwhelming for Marini. A 17th place finish is not what was expected from Marini today. He never looked comfortable in the dry around Assen and could not get a good rhythm in the race.

Aprilia Racing:

Maverick Vinales: (3rd)

Maverick Vinales is finally back on the podium. After making an ambitious switch from Yamaha to Aprilia it is finally starting to pay off for the Spaniard. Vinales looked great around Sachsenring, but he looked even better around Assen. This podium was well deserved for the Spaniard.

Aleix Espargaro: (4th)

Today might have been Aleix Espargaro’s best ever MotoGP race. The Spaniard was running in second and was taken off track and dropped down to 15th. The old Espargaro would have crashed pushing to try catch the pack. However, Espargaro showed a new level of maturity and came calmly back through to fourth place.

Lorenzo Savadori: (20th)

The Aprilia test rider was back in action this week. He may not score points or finish in great positions, but he is doing his job of collecting data.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing:

Brad Binder: (5th)

The South African rider had a good qualifying on the KTM of 10th place, which set him up nicely for the race. Binder made his way through the riders in front of him and looked set to take fourth place. However, he was in the same battle at the final chicane as Miller. Binder was done into the chicane and dropped back to fifth.

Miguel Oliveira: (9th)

Once again the Portuguese rider has been outperformed by his teammate. Oliveira started eighth on the grid and ended up going backwards. Oliveira did not seem to have the pace when it came to the race and ended up in ninth.

Prima Pramac Racing:

Jorge Martin: (7th)

A very strange race for Jorge Martin around Assen. The Spaniard started in third and was looked set for a third place finish. But a few drops of rain fell and Martin dropped back. The Pramac Ducati rider had to settle for a seventh place in the end.

Johann Zarco: (13th)

A shocking result for Johann Zarco when compared to his previous races. Zarco has gone well around Assen in the past but today was not the Frenchman’s day. 13th place is definitely not where people expected to see Zarco come the chequered flag.

Team Suzuki Ecstar:

Joan Mir: (8th)

Mir is finally back to a points scoring position. After some very tough races it was good to see the 2020 MotoGP World Champion back into some solid positions. There is still a lot to improve on for Mir after the summer break.

Alex Rins: (10th)

Both Suzuki riders scored points today, which is only the second time since the announcement of their departure. Rins picked up an injury in Catalunya which he was clearly still struggling from. However, he still managed to claim a top ten finish.

Gresini Racing MotoGP:

Enea Bastianini: (11th)

Another poor result for Bastianini this week. After starting the season well he has really dropped off of form towards the middle part of the season. This could be a sign that his Ducati GP21 may be falling behind the GP22’s which are catching up.

Fabio Di Giannantonio: (14th)

After announcing that he would be staying with Gresini next season today his result was not as good as previous races. Di Giannantonio claimed more points today in 14th, which is decent for a rookie.

LCR Honda:

Takaaki Nakagami: (12th)

The Japanese rider managed to finish the race today. Takaaki Nakagami had been on a run of two consecutive DNF’s but this week he finished 12th. After the summer break Nakagami need a miracle if he wants to stay in MotoGP.

Alex Marquez: (15th)

Clearly his newly announced Gresini deal for 2023 did not motivate Alex Marquez. The Spaniard once again having a tough time with Honda. A 15th place finish is definitely not what he would be after.

WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team:

Andrea Dovizioso: (16th)

To say that Andrea Dovizioso was the top Yamaha in 16th place shows what sort of situation Yamaha are really in. The experienced Italian has not gelled with his M1 this season and has continued to struggle. With no sign of improving it seems inevitable that Dovizioso will retire at the end of 2022.

Darryn Binder: (DNF)

The South African rider had a poor weekend and seemed to struggle around Assen. Binder is fighting for his MotoGP future and wrecking a M1 Yamaha will do him no favours.

Repsol Honda Team:

Stefan Bradl: (18th)

Stefan Bradl finished the Dutch Grand Prix and was in the mix this time towards the back end. The German rider will have been able to collect more data for HRC this weekend.

Pol Espargaro: (DNS)

The Spaniard never even lined up on the grid for the Dutch Grand Prix. A week on from his crashes in Germany and he is still in pain. The summer break has come at the right time for Espargaro.

Tech3 KTM Factory Racing:

Remy Gardner: (19th)

A poor showing from Remy Gardner this week. After scoring points at the previous two races it seemed like Gardner had found decent form. However, this weekend is a reminder to all that he is still a rookie.

Raul Fernandez: (DNF)

Again after a strong showing in Germany it was disappointing to see Raul Fernandez pull in at Assen. However, the Spaniard looked to be in pain in his pit box, so he will aim to recover over the summer.

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP:

Fabio Quartararo: (DNF)

The first DNF of Fabio Quartararo’s season has arrived. The reigning MotoGP World Champion went for a late move on Aleix Espargaro early on and found himself in the gravel. After pulling into the pits and then reemerging Quartararo found himself getting launched into the air after his M1 Yamaha highsided him. Quartararo’s lead in the championship has been slashed to 21 points.

Franco Morbidelli: (DNF)

Someone who desperately needs the summer break is Morbidelli. After his knee injury in 2021 he has not looked like the same rider that he was in 2020. The Italians season has never got going, something he needs to fix in the second leg of the season.