MotoGP 2019
Round Eight – Assen
MotoGP Race Results / Report
Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) took a stunning Grand Prix win at the Motul TT Assen, stalking the front before striking for the lead and stretching his legs to pull away from reigning Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) in the closing stages of what had been an exciting race.

Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) followed up his record-breaking pole position on Saturday with another podium, impressing once again even as he continues to recover from arm pump surgery.

1 – Maverick Viñales (SPA – Yamaha) 40’55.415
2 – Marc Marquez (SPA – Honda) +4.854
3 – Fabio Quartararo* (FRA – Yamaha) +9.738
MotoGP Race Report

Alex Rins took the holeshot from third on the grid, the Suzuki man streaking away from the line and soon joined by impressive rookie teammate Joan Mir as he slotted into second with pole-sitter Fabio Quartararo in third follwed by Maverick Vinales. Marquez was next up, with Andrea Dovizioso and his Ducati team-mate Danilo Petrucci just behind.

Alex Rins was leading the race and looking very strong before the Suzuki man made a mistake under brakes and slid out of the lead, and the race. That left his team-mate Joan Mir in the lead of a MotoGP race for the first time ahead of fellow rookie Quartararo.
Mir ran a little wide while being pressured from behind which allowed Quartararo, Vinales and Marquez all through, demoting the #36 Suzuki back to fourth in one foul swoop.

Dovizioso had worked his way past Petrucci and then made short work of Joan Mir.

Vinales made a small mistake which allowed Marquez through to second place where the Honda man was tight on the back wheel of Quartararo. Marquez tried to attack, Quartararo resisted. After a slight lapse in momentum Viñales got back on their tail and it was a trio locked together in the lead.

They all made their mistakes in the ensuing laps. Viñales overcooked Turn 1 but reeled them back in, Marquez attacked Quartararo a lap later after the Frenchman’s Yamaha had a few too many head-shakes at speed and forced Fabio to get out of the throttle. Then Marquez had his own moment and the rookie was back in the lead. The trio were once again line astern, uneasily holding station.

With 11 laps to go, Viñales broke the stalemate. He attacked Marquez and got through before then homing in on Quartararo, pouncing at the same spot that Marquez had earlier as the Frenchman struggled again with more head-shake at high speed.
Marquez then sneaked past Vinales for the lead but the Yamaha man was having none of it, Maverick was riding with maximum aggression and determined to make this day a mark of triumph.

With six laps to go Vinales and Marquez were still both locked together and there was nothing in it, before gradually Viñales started to eke out a tenth here, and a tenth there. Vinales had finally broken Marquez and the Repsol Honda man was forced to relent as the risks became too high and the #93 looked to settle for second place and the 20-points that comes with it.
The top three all had their share of mini dramas during the race, but Viñales was then pitch perfect to the flag. Eventually, the gap was nearly five-seconds over the line and the Spaniard celebrated in style. It’s his first win since Phillip Island last year, Yamaha’s first of the season and one of his most impressive rides.
Quartararo took his second podium in succession in third after being in the heat of the battle for the first half of the race. The young Frenchman was clearly spent when he arrived in Parc Ferme, his recovery from recent arm pump surgery not yet quite complete.
Dovizioso had been locked in battle with Petrucci and Franco Morbidelli for much of the race before winning that war for fourth place.

Morbidelli eventually just beat Petrucci to complete the top five and equal his best ever premier class result.
Cal Crutchlow recovered from a big moment to take P7 and overhaul Mir impressive performance as the rookie finished eighth.

Jack Miller crossed the line in ninth after a trying weekend for the Aussie while Andrea Iannone completed the top ten for his best result of the season so far and some valuable points and encouragement for the Aprilia squad.

Pol Espargaro the first KTM home after escaping a battle behind that saw Aleix Espargaro best Miguel Oliveira with Francesco Bagnaia and Hafizh Syahrin also in the points, and all incredibly close all the way to the line.

There were a few names missing from the finishers along with Rins, the biggest of which was Valentino Rossi. The ‘Doctor’ had started from P14 on the grid and was making little headway before a mistake under brakes saw the #46 Yamaha go down, skittling LCR Honda’s Takaaki Nakagami in the process.

Next up is the Sachsenring and that’s one of Marquez’ signature venues, so there will be some ominous music as the reigning Champion makes the short trip south. But with Viñales on form, Quartararo ever-closer despite his recent surgery and the likes of Rins with speed if not always luck, the last race before the summer break will be unmissable. And we only have days to wait as MotoGP reconvenes this weekend in Germany, a race meeting that will also herald the debut of the new MotoE category.

MotoGP Results
Pos | Rider | Nation | Bike | Time/Gap |
1 | Maverick Viñales | SPA | Yamaha | 40’55.415 |
2 | Marc Marquez | SPA | Honda | +4.854 |
3 | Fabio Quartararo | FRA | Yamaha | +9.738 |
4 | Andrea Dovizioso | ITA | Ducati | +14.147 |
5 | Franco Morbidelli | ITA | Yamaha | +14.467 |
6 | Danilo Petrucci | ITA | Ducati | +14.794 |
7 | Cal Crutchlow | GBR | Honda | +18.361 |
8 | Joan Mir | SPA | Suzuki | +24.268 |
9 | Jack Miller | AUS | Ducati | +26.496 |
10 | Andrea Iannone | ITA | Aprilia | +26.997 |
11 | Pol Espargaro | SPA | KTM | +28.732 |
12 | Aleix Espargaro | SPA | Aprilia | +34.095 |
13 | Miguel Oliveira | POR | KTM | +34.181 |
14 | Francesco Bagnaia | ITA | Ducati | +34.249 |
15 | Hafizh Syahrin | MAL | KTM | +34.494 |
16 | Tito Rabat | SPA | Ducati | +48.357 |
17 | Karel Abraham | CZE | Ducati | 1 Lap |
Not Classified | ||||
DNF | Johann Zarco | FRA | KTM | 10 Laps |
DNF | Takaaki Nakagami | JPN | Honda | 22 Laps |
DNF | Valentino Rossi | ITA | Yamaha | 22 Laps |
DNF | Alex Rins | SPA | Suzuki | 24 Laps |
Pos | Rider | Bike | Nation | Points |
1 | Marc Marquez | Honda | SPA | 160 |
2 | Andrea Dovizioso | Ducati | ITA | 116 |
3 | Danilo Petrucci | Ducati | ITA | 108 |
4 | Alex Rins | Suzuki | SPA | 101 |
5 | Valentino Rossi | Yamaha | ITA | 72 |
6 | Fabio Quartararo | Yamaha | FRA | 67 |
7 | Maverick Viñales | Yamaha | SPA | 65 |
8 | Jack Miller | Ducati | AUS | 60 |
9 | Pol Espargaro | KTM | SPA | 52 |
10 | Cal Crutchlow | Honda | GBR | 51 |
11 | Takaaki Nakagami | Honda | JPN | 48 |
12 | Franco Morbidelli | Yamaha | ITA | 45 |
13 | Aleix Espargaro | Aprilia | SPA | 31 |
14 | Joan Mir | Suzuki | SPA | 30 |
15 | Jorge Lorenzo | Honda | SPA | 19 |
16 | Andrea Iannone | Aprilia | ITA | 18 |
17 | Johann Zarco | KTM | FRA | 16 |
18 | Miguel Oliveira | KTM | POR | 15 |
19 | Francesco Bagnaia | Ducati | ITA | 11 |
20 | Michele Pirro | Ducati | ITA | 9 |
21 | Tito Rabat | Ducati | SPA | 9 |
22 | Stefan Bradl | Honda | GER | 6 |
23 | Sylvain Guintoli | Suzuki | FRA | 3 |
24 | Hafizh Syahrin | KTM | MAL | 3 |
25 | Karel Abraham | Ducati | CZE | 2 |
26 | Bradley Smith | Aprilia | GBR | 0 |
Moto2
Augusto Fernandez (Flexbox HP 40) is a man in form and the Motul TT Assen saw his run of firsts finally culminate in a first ever Grand Prix as he became the 37th different winner in Moto2, a fitting statistic for the rider who made his way to the MotoGP World Championship racing that very number.

The Spaniard was a force to be reckoned with in a manic fight at the front throughout and came through the chaos of a clash between Championship rivals Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) and Lorenzo Baldassarri (Flexbox HP40) to beat Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) to the flag by tenths. Completing the podium after the war of attrition was Luca Marini (Sky Racing Team VR46), with Tom Lüthi (Dynavolt Intact GP) just behind the Italian but the P4 enough for the Swiss veteran to become the new Championship leader.
It was Binder who took the holeshot from P2 on the grid, with Xavi Vierge (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) also able to leapfrog polesitter Remy Gardner (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team) in the early stages. Alex Marquez remained P4, with Lüthi making gains into fifth. Sam Lowes (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) was another key player in the group as it remained a tight fight minus Binder, who had begun to make a gap at the front.
Remy Gardner was able to hunt the South African back down soon enough, however, and set about trying to get past. But gearbox problems for the Aussie dropped him back down to fourth as the front squabble suddenly really set alight. Lowes moved through to attack Binder, Binder hit back, and the lead group set about going to war: Binder, Lowes, Vierge, Fernandez, Marquez, Gardner and Lüthi. Rookies Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Enea Bastianini (Italtrans Racing Team) arrived on the scene soon enough though – joined by Marini.
With 14 to go the first big drama hit as Gardner crashed out, complaining of a gearbox full of neutrals.
Remy Gardner
“The weekend was almost perfect. I felt good in every session and was made up to get my first Pole yesterday. Warm-Up was also good and, in the race, certainly at the beginning, I felt good and think we could have won today. It just seems that whatever I do at the moment it goes wrong, but the luck has to change. I am so disappointed for me, the team, all my sponsors and the fans that are being so supportive this year. The good thing is that I don’t have to wait too long to ride again so let’s focus on the Sachsenring!”
Martin then tagged Lowes and the Brit went down, taking another player out the group. The Spanish rookie was the next man to crash in the race of attrition, just as teammate Brad Binder was back in front and trying to pull the pin. That set Alex Marquez in motion as the former Championship leader sliced through to lead the chasing pack, eager to close him down on the hunt for a fourth win in a row.

Vierge then crashed, and it was another key moment in the race as Bastianini was caught up in it and Lüthi too, but the Swiss veteran somehow stayed on. At the front, that left four men and soon enough Binder had been caught and passed by Marquez and then both Flexbox HP 40 riders. Then, more drama struck.
With two laps to go Marquez was still ahead, with Baldassarri tagged close behind. But suddenly the Italian went for a move and slid out, taking the former Championship leader with him and leaving Fernandez within touching distance of the win. Able to hold of Binder, he took his first Grand Prix win as the South African got back on the podium and converted a much-improved weekend for KTM into a top haul of points. Marini, able to pick his way through the chaos, completed the podium as he just staved off Lüthi.
Tetsuta Nagashima (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team) took fifth and his best ever result, ahead of a best intermediate class result for Andrea Locatelli (Italtrans Racing Team). Stefano Manzi (MV Agusta Idealavoro Forward) equalled his best Moto2™ result in P7, just behind Locatelli, and took the best result for the new MV Agusta project. Marcel Schrötter (Dynavolt Intact GP) was eighth, with Dominique Aegerter (MV Agusta Idealavoro Forward) adding to the joy for his team with a top ten.
Marco Bezzecchi (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) took his best intermediate class result so far to complete the top ten, ahead of Fabio Di Giannantonio (Beta Tools Speed Up). Jake Dixon (Sama Qatar Angel Nieto Team) took his first ever Grand Prix points in P12, as did Lukas Tulovic (Kiefer Racing) after his impressed ride to P13. Joe Roberts (American Racing Team KTM) just beat teammate Iker Lecuona as the two completed the points.
After the chaos and attrition in Assen, it’s Lüthi in the lead now and the Swiss rider has six points of advantage. Marquez drops to second, Baldassarri is now just behind teammate Fernandez…there’s everything to play for in Germany and we’re back in action in just a few days’ time.

1 – Augusto Fernandez (SPA – Kalex) 38’25.678
2 – Brad Binder (RSA – KTM) +0.612
3 – Luca Marini (ITA – Kalex) +3.686
Moto2 Results
Pos | Rider | Bike | Time/Gap |
1 | Augusto Fernandez | Kalex | 39’24.779 |
2 | Brad Binder | KTM | +0.612 |
3 | Luca Marini | Kalex | +3.686 |
4 | Thomas Luthi | Kalex | +4.028 |
5 | Tetsuta Nagashima | Kalex | +5.391 |
6 | Andrea Locatelli | Kalex | +13.127 |
7 | Stefano Manzi | MV Agusta | +13.183 |
8 | Marcel Schrotter | Kalex | +13.567 |
9 | Dominique Aegerter | MV Agusta | +19.792 |
10 | Marco Bezzecchi | KTM | +21.291 |
11 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | Speed Up | +23.591 |
12 | Jake Dixon | KTM | +26.585 |
13 | Lukas Tulovic | KTM | +30.817 |
14 | Joe Roberts | KTM | +34.122 |
15 | Iker Lecuona | KTM | +34.406 |
16 | Steven Odendaal | NTS | +40.034 |
17 | Jonas Folger | Kalex | +51.405 |
18 | Xavi Cardelus | KTM | +59.200 |
Not Classified | |||
DNF | Alex Marquez | Kalex | 2 Laps |
DNF | Lorenzo Baldassarri | Kalex | 2 Laps |
DNF | Xavi Vierge | Kalex | 5 Laps |
DNF | Enea Bastianini | Kalex | 5 Laps |
DNF | Jorge Martin | KTM | 10 Laps |
DNF | Sam Lowes | Kalex | 14 Laps |
DNF | Jorge Navarro | Speed Up | 14 Laps |
DNF | Remy Gardner | Kalex | 15 Laps |
DNF | Nicolo Bulega | Kalex | 22 Laps |
DNF | Simone Corsi | Kalex | 23 Laps |
DNF | Bo Bendsneyder | NTS | 23 Laps |
Pos | Rider | Bike | Nation | Points |
1 | Thomas Luthi | Kalex | SWI | 117 |
2 | Alex Marquez | Kalex | SPA | 111 |
3 | Augusto Fernandez | Kalex | SPA | 92 |
4 | Jorge Navarro | Speed Up | SPA | 89 |
5 | Lorenzo Baldassarri | Kalex | ITA | 88 |
6 | Luca Marini | Kalex | ITA | 84 |
7 | Marcel Schrotter | Kalex | GER | 81 |
8 | Brad Binder | KTM | RSA | 64 |
9 | Enea Bastianini | Kalex | ITA | 56 |
10 | Remy Gardner | Kalex | AUS | 41 |
11 | Tetsuta Nagashima | Kalex | JPN | 41 |
12 | Xavi Vierge | Kalex | SPA | 39 |
13 | Sam Lowes | Kalex | GBR | 33 |
14 | Andrea Locatelli | Kalex | ITA | 30 |
15 | Iker Lecuona | KTM | SPA | 27 |
16 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | Speed Up | ITA | 24 |
17 | Mattia Pasini | Kalex | ITA | 18 |
18 | Nicolo Bulega | Kalex | ITA | 16 |
19 | Dominique Aegerter | MV Agusta | SWI | 12 |
20 | Stefano Manzi | MV Agusta | ITA | 10 |
21 | Simone Corsi | Kalex | ITA | 10 |
22 | Marco Bezzecchi | KTM | ITA | 6 |
23 | Somkiat Chantra | Kalex | THA | 6 |
24 | Bo Bendsneyder | NTS | NED | 5 |
25 | Jake Dixon | KTM | GBR | 4 |
26 | Joe Roberts | KTM | USA | 4 |
27 | Lukas Tulovic | KTM | GER | 3 |
28 | Khairul Idham Pawi | Kalex | MAL | 3 |
29 | Jesko Raffin | NTS | SWI | 3 |
30 | Jorge Martin | KTM | SPA | 3 |
31 | Steven Odendaal | NTS | RSA | 0 |
32 | Jonas Folger | Kalex | GER | 0 |
33 | Philipp Oettl | KTM | GER | 0 |
34 | Xavi Cardelus | KTM | AND | 0 |
35 | Dimas Ekky Pratama | Kalex | INA | 0 |
36 | Gabriele Ruiu | MV Agusta | ITA | 0 |
Moto3
Tony Arbolino (VNE Snipers) has become the first man this season to win two Moto3 races, with the Italian holding off Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Leopard Racing) to cross the line just 0.045 clear in the Motul TT Assen. Jakub Kornfeil (Redox PrüstelGP) took third and his first podium since Brno last year despite a Long Lap Penalty in the latter stages; the Czech rider leading at the time before the last-gasp drama.

It was Niccolo Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) who took the holeshot from pole, with Arbolino slotting in behind him and the huge freight train group at the front stuck line astern in classic Moto3 style. One of the biggest moves early on saw Kaito Toba (Honda Team Asia) take over at the front and keep it through the final chicane, with the Japanese rider leading the pack over the line with 19 laps to go. A few laps later came another key move: Romano Fenati (VNE Snipers) was up in the top trio taking on Arbolino and Toba from 13th on the grid, and with 16 to go he sliced through to lead but there was plenty more action to come.
Chopping and changing, the fight for the ‘lead’ remained a huge group stretching far beyond the final chicane as the snake of riders threaded the needle towards the line. But after a battle royal of a shuffle, one moment would change that with six laps to go…
Toba collided with Celestino Vietti (Sky Racing Team VR46), taking down Raul Fernandez (Angel Nieto Team) on the outside, and Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) then got caught up in the drama. That created a gap in the group, with Lorenzo Dalla Porta then at the head of train of just seven riders then battling for the win.

Not long after that, Jakub Kornfeil was the man in charge. Hitting the front with a handful of laps to spare, the Czech rider was in some clear air but track limits were about to bite as he was given a Long Lap Penalty. From then, he had three laps to take it and the race result looked like it could all rest on when he did – or even if, with the team putting the pit board out make sure he definitely saw it as soon as possible.
Luckily, he did, and heading into the area to take it released Lorenzo Dalla Porta into the lead with two laps to go. Could the Italian do it and become the 13th different winner in a row? It was all down to the final lap, and the number 48 machine had a duel on his hands against the man who just beat him to the flag at Mugello: Arbolino. Would he wait for a last gasp move?
The number 14 struck just before the final chicane, cleanly getting past and setting up what would become a drag to the line as the kept it pinned and Dalla Porta tried to respond. Sadly for the Leopard Rider, however, he would once again be the bridesmaid rather than the bride, with Arbolino just a whisker ahead to become the first repeat winner and launch himself into the title fight.
Kornfeil had emerged from his penalty into third, and the Czech rider was able to keep it together to stay ahead of another group fight and cross the line for the podium. Gabriel Rodrigo (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) by half a tenth, with John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing) putting in a stunning ride to complete the top five from outside the top twenty on the grid.
Ai Ogura (Honda Team Asia) showed more impressive rookie pace to take P6, ahead of Catalan GP winner Marcos Ramirez (Leopard Racing). Polesitter Antonelli took P8, with Dennis Foggia (Sky Racing Team VR46) and Alonso Lopez (Estrella Galicia 0,0) completing the top ten.
Romano Fenati took P11 after getting shuffled back in the latter stages, ahead of Championship leader Aron Canet (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) after a tougher round for him. Nevertheless, he remains seven points ahead. Kazuki Masaki (BOE Skull Rider Mugen Race) and Filip Salac (Redox PrüstelGP) completed the group fighting it out, with Sergio Garca (Estrella Galicia 0,0) completing the points.
Darryn Binder (CIP – Green Power), Jaume Masia (Bester Capital Dubai) and Albert Arenas (Sama Qatar Angel Nieto Team) were other crashers.
Another classic Moto3 stunner ends the history-maker of a run, but the Championship is even closer than before. Canet is now only seven points ahead of Dalla Porta, with Antonelli 24 points off the top and Arbolino now moving himself up into a close fourth overall. How will the standings look heading into the summer break? Germany will decide, and we race again in less than a week.

1 – Tony Arbolino (ITA – Honda) 38’03.113
2 – Lorenzo Dalla Porta (ITA – Honda) +0.045
3 – Jakub Kornfeil (CZE – KTM) +1.562
Moto3 Results
Pos. | Rider | Bike | Time/Gap |
1 | Tony Arbolino | Honda | 38’03.113 |
2 | Lorenzo Dalla Porta | Honda | +0.045 |
3 | Jakub Kornfeil | KTM | +1.562 |
4 | Gabriel Rodrigo | Honda | +2.158 |
5 | John Mcphee | Honda | +2.201 |
6 | Ai Ogura | Honda | +2.264 |
7 | Marcos Ramirez | Honda | +2.436 |
8 | Niccolò Antonelli | Honda | +2.580 |
9 | Dennis Foggia | KTM | +2.758 |
10 | Alonso Lopez | Honda | +2.900 |
11 | Romano Fenati | Honda | +2.916 |
12 | Aron Canet | KTM | +3.081 |
13 | Kazuki Masaki | KTM | +3.267 |
14 | Filip Salac | KTM | +3.737 |
15 | Sergio Garcia | Honda | +12.705 |
16 | Can Oncu | KTM | +12.796 |
17 | Ayumu Sasaki | Honda | +12.800 |
18 | Makar Yurchenko | KTM | +12.894 |
19 | Andrea Migno | KTM | +33.346 |
20 | Stefano Nepa | KTM | +36.069 |
21 | Riccardo Rossi | Honda | +51.064 |
22 | Ryan Van De L | KTM | +1’32.359 |
23 | Tom Booth-Amos | KTM | +1’48.509 |
Not Classified | |||
DNF | Darryn Binder | KTM | 4 Laps |
DNF | Celestino Vietti | KTM | 5 Laps |
DNF | Raul Fernandez | KTM | 5 Laps |
DNF | Kaito Toba | Honda | 5 Laps |
DNF | Tatsuki Suzuki | Honda | 6 Laps |
DNF | Albert Arenas | KTM | 7 Laps |
DNF | Jaume Masia | KTM | 7 Laps |
Pos | Rider | Bike | Nation | Points |
1 | Aron Canet | KTM | SPA | 107 |
2 | Lorenzo Dalla Porta | Honda | ITA | 100 |
3 | Niccolò Antonelli | Honda | ITA | 83 |
4 | Tony Arbolino | Honda | ITA | 76 |
5 | Celestino Vietti | KTM | ITA | 68 |
6 | Jaume Masia | KTM | SPA | 65 |
7 | Marcos Ramirez | Honda | SPA | 58 |
8 | John Mcphee | Honda | GBR | 58 |
9 | Kaito Toba | Honda | JPN | 51 |
10 | Gabriel Rodrigo | Honda | ARG | 50 |
11 | Jakub Kornfeil | KTM | CZE | 46 |
12 | Dennis Foggia | KTM | ITA | 43 |
13 | Andrea Migno | KTM | ITA | 40 |
14 | Ai Ogura | Honda | JPN | 37 |
15 | Darryn Binder | KTM | RSA | 33 |
16 | Alonso Lopez | Honda | SPA | 33 |
17 | Tatsuki Suzuki | Honda | JPN | 31 |
18 | Albert Arenas | KTM | SPA | 30 |
19 | Raul Fernandez | KTM | SPA | 30 |
20 | Ayumu Sasaki | Honda | JPN | 22 |
21 | Romano Fenati | Honda | ITA | 21 |
22 | Kazuki Masaki | KTM | JPN | 14 |
23 | Ryusei Yamanaka | Honda | JPN | 7 |
24 | Carlos Tatay | KTM | SPA | 4 |
25 | Makar Yurchenko | KTM | KAZ | 4 |
26 | Sergio Garcia | Honda | SPA | 4 |
27 | Filip Salac | KTM | CZE | 3 |
28 | Tom Booth-Amos | KTM | GBR | 2 |
29 | Can Oncu | KTM | TUR | |
30 | Gerry Salim | Honda | INA | |
31 | Vicente Perez | KTM | SPA | |
32 | Riccardo Rossi | Honda | ITA | |
33 | Stefano Nepa | KTM | ITA | |
34 | Aleix Viu | KTM | SPA | |
35 | Ryan Van De Lagemaat | KTM | NED | |
36 | Meikon Kawakami | KTM | BRA |