Assen MotoGP

[Yorick]

How many times will MM crash?

Can't pick a winner really. This one is always hard to predict.

But a few riders will be riding for their jobs and others will be trying to impress.

Rumours are that a few teams want to decide before the long summer break

[weeksy]

https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/10296 ... his-temper

Marco Bezzecchi made a superb start to the Dutch MotoGP weekend after dominating Practice 1 ahead of Maverick Vinales.

Although it was very early in the session, Enea Bastianini made a strong start as he led a Ducati 1-2-3 ahead of Luca Marini and Francesco Bagnaia.

The reigning world champion had to abandon his latest lap after carrying too much speed into turn six, which resulted in him going off-track.

POS RIDER NAT TEAM TIME/DIFF LAP MAX
1 Marco Bezzecchi ITA Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP22) 1'32.246s 19/20 313k
2 Maverick Viñales SPA Aprilia Racing (RS-GP23) +0.314s 19/20 311k
3 Alex Marquez SPA Gresini Ducati (GP22) +0.368s 19/20 309k
4 Johann Zarco FRA Pramac Ducati (GP23) +0.516s 16/16 307k
5 Fabio Quartararo FRA Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) +0.558s 18/18 305k
6 Luca Marini ITA Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP22) +0.635s 19/19 311k
7 Takaaki Nakagami JPN LCR Honda (RC213V) +0.735s 20/20 307k
8 Jorge Martin SPA Pramac Ducati (GP23) +0.821s 17/20 310k
9 Jack Miller AUS Red Bull KTM (RC16) +0.841s 20/20 308k
10 Aleix Espargaro SPA Aprilia Racing (RS-GP23) +1.175s 19/19 307k
11 Brad Binder RSA Red Bull KTM (RC16) +1.240s 18/19 310k
12 Francesco Bagnaia ITA Ducati Lenovo (GP23) +1.252s 14/17 310k
13 Augusto Fernandez SPA Tech3 GASGAS (RC16)* +1.342s 17/18 304k
14 Fabio Di Giannantonio ITA Gresini Ducati (GP22) +1.387s 16/18 308k
15 Miguel Oliveira POR RNF Aprilia (RS-GP22) +1.427s 6/18 306k
16 Franco Morbidelli ITA Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) +1.647s 14/18 303k
17 Enea Bastianini ITA Ducati Lenovo (GP23) +1.656s 7/15 311k
18 Raul Fernandez SPA RNF Aprilia (RS-GP22) +1.695s 17/18 306k
19 Stefan Bradl GER LCR Honda (RC213V) +1.743s 14/20 305k
20 Lorenzo Savadori ITA Aprilia Factory (RS-GP23) +1.809s 19/20 310k
21 Marc Marquez SPA Repsol Honda (RC213V) +1.865s 17/19 306k
22 Iker Lecuona SPA Repsol Honda (RC213V) +2.117s 21/21 304k
23 Jonas Folger GER Tech3 GASGAS (RC16) +2.495s 15/16 306k

[mangocrazy]

It appears that MM has wisely decided to focus on data acquisition this weekend rather than pushing the RCV beyond its limits. Be interesting to see the 'real' speed of the RCV relative to the other bikes when MM isn't over-riding it.

[Bigyin]

It appears that MM has wisely decided to focus on data acquisition this weekend rather than pushing the RCV beyond its limits. Be interesting to see the 'real' speed of the RCV relative to the other bikes when MM isn't over-riding it.

He was sitting at 16th on the grid then tried to tack onto the back of Mav for a fast lap at the end of P2 ....... He managed 2 corners and lost the front end on the third. Didnt even look at the bike when he stood up and just trudged to the barriers slowly. The poor sod looked completely pissed off and dejected. Gone are the times of running to the bike to get it up again or running to the paddock.

Hopefully he can get his head round it and not hurt himself anymore

[mangocrazy]

It appears that MM has wisely decided to focus on data acquisition this weekend rather than pushing the RCV beyond its limits. Be interesting to see the 'real' speed of the RCV relative to the other bikes when MM isn't over-riding it.

He was sitting at 16th on the grid then tried to tack onto the back of Mav for a fast lap at the end of P2 ....... He managed 2 corners and lost the front end on the third. Didnt even look at the bike when he stood up and just trudged to the barriers slowly. The poor sod looked completely pissed off and dejected. Gone are the times of running to the bike to get it up again or running to the paddock.

Hopefully he can get his head round it and not hurt himself anymore

Yeah, I saw that. His body language said it all - not even a glance backwards at the bike. I think he just can't wait for the summer break.

[ChrisW]

Well, can't blame that one on the Honda...

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Well, can't blame that one on the Honda...

No he can blame it on Bastianini, even though Marquez clearly rode into the back of him

[westers151]

Well, can't blame that one on the Honda...

I get the impression that MM has lost the plot a litle.

[Noggin]

Well, can't blame that one on the Honda...

I get the impression that MM has lost the plot a litle.

Stress/frustration at the bike situation will do that to a person I guess? If no one has listened to him about the bike or at least, not been able to fix the bike, I can kinda see why he's getting a bit lost

[ChrisW]

Well, can't blame that one on the Honda...

I get the impression that MM has lost the plot a litle.

I think last weekend's race meeting completely unravelled his world.

[mangocrazy]

I think the crucial indicator was when Marc declined to race at Sachsenring. He'd certainly raced before in that kind of physical condition, but never before in that mental condition.

This weekend was simply a continuation of that state of mind.

More than anyone else on the grid, Marc desperately needs the upcoming 5 week break.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Anyone else remember when Freddie Spencer lost the plot in 1986 and went from hero to zero?

[mangocrazy]

Anyone else remember when Freddie Spencer lost the plot in 1986 and went from hero to zero?

Yup. Went from double WC (250 and 500cc) in1985 to never winning another GP race thereafter. At his best he was sensational, unfortunately he couldn't sustain that level of achievement.

[hawkati]

Anyone else remember when Freddie Spencer lost the plot in 1986 and went from hero to zero?

That's what was assumed at the time because noone had comprehended the effects of carpal tunnel syndrome. Imagine riding a bike when you literally cannot feel how much you're twisting the throttle or applying the brakes. People thought his nerve had gone when he quite wisely was being bloody cautious after throwing himself at the landscape too many times.

[ChrisW]

That long lap penalty is utterly ridiculous!!

[Yorick]

Come on Jakey

[Yorick]

Come on Jakey

Yay

[mangocrazy]

Marc Marquez will not take part in the Assen MotoGP race. With the benefit of hindsight, that isn't entirely surprising.

[Noggin]

I have a question about yesterday, MM crash. So, the commentators on Canal+ said it was a lapse of concentration on his part, but to me, Bastianini slowed down right in front of him. Ok, he wasn't right on the racing line, but MM was right up behind him and he slowed so MM hit him.

What am I missing?? (English commentary to be watched tomorrow evening, but thought I'd ask here as wanted to yesterday but was a bit busy!!)

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

MM should be looking where he's going