Magic Morbidelli wins dramatic Dutch dice
Franco Morbidelli celebrated his new MotoGP deal with Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS in perfect style today when he triumphed at the end of pulsating and dramatic Dutch TT in Assen.
Starting from pole position for the fourth time in 2017, Morbidelli was immediately launched into the toughest and most engrossing fight of this year’s Moto2 World Championship, with the Italian locked in a close battle with Tom Lüthi, Takaaki Nakagami, Mattia Pasini, Miguel Oliveira and teammate Álex Márquez for the entire 24-lap encounter.
The top six served up close action that a capacity crowd of 105,000 fans could not take their eyes off, with numerous overtakes for the lead, before Morbidelli made a decisive last lap attack on closest title rival Lüthi.
Morbidelli then kept his cool under immense pressure in the final sector to give Lüthi no chance to retaliate, and the Italian took the chequered flag first for the fifth time in eight races. The top five were covered by 0.7s in a classic encounter and Morbidelli’s stunning late burst of speed moved him 12-points clear of Lüthi heading to the halfway stage of the season in Germany next weekend.
Márquez fully played his part in today’s gripping action when he kept his Kalex machine firmly in podium contention until the final stages of the race.
With the race building to a thrilling climax, Márquez couldn’t quite maintain his strong challenge, and rather than take unnecessary risks that could have cost him crucial World Championship points, he wisely settled for a hard earned sixth place to remain third in the standings.
Franco Morbidelli: 1st
“I gave absolutely everything in that race and that’s what makes the victory feel even more special. The battle was so intense that I was just doing all I could to stay in contention for the win in the last five laps. Once I could stay close for an attack at the end I was always confident I could take the win. I had to ride the final sector like the best in my life without making a mistake and I did that. It was perfect and nobody could try and overtake me at the final chicane. That was the toughest of my five wins by a long way and I’m pleased to show that I can still battle well and manage the fight when it is so strong. It was important to get back on the podium after the difficult last two races and it is the perfect way to end a dream day for me after confirming my MotoGP future with Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS.”
Álex Márquez: 6th
“Today was a very tough battle and I think the fans certainly got value for money. But I can’t be entirely happy because I was expecting more from today. We only had one day of dry practice on Friday and the conditions changed a lot again today, and I just didn’t have the right feeling to keep myself in the battle for the podium right to the end. It’s a pity but I didn’t lose a lot of points in the World Championship. I finished the race and collected some important points and I hope to be stronger and fighting for the podium again in Germany next weekend.”
Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal
“That was an incredibly tense race and it was certainly a spectacular one for all the fans. It was like Moto3 at times and when the action is so close it certainly makes the taste of winning even sweeter. Franco did an incredible job because he has not been on the podium in the last two races and everybody was talking about the pressure building on him. But today he proved he can handle it and it was a fantastic final lap that he judged perfectly from a tactical point of view. He’s had a memorable day with the signing of his MotoGP deal with Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS, and I think his performance in the race showed why we wanted to secure his future. Álex contributed to a great spectacle today and his result was not what he wanted but it certainly wasn’t a bad day for him. He made sure he finished and I’m convinced he will back on the podium soon.”
More, from a press release issued by Team Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 Team:
NAVARRO IN THE POINTS AT ASSEN
Jorge Navarro has had an encouraging day at the TT Circuit Assen, where the eighth race of the 2017 Moto2 World Championship was contested. The Spanish rider of team Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 was able to turn the tables after a difficult weekend to secure fifteenth place at the end of the 23-lap encounter.
Navarro didn’t enjoy the best of starts from 19th place on the grid and was 22nd at the end of the opening lap. The 21-year-old Spanish rider then started a steady comeback that would eventually lead him back into the points, courtesy of a good pace that at times was similar to the one displayed by the riders at the front (best lap in the race 1’39.057.
In the final part of the race, Navarro managed to recover more than three seconds in less than five laps to eventually overtake Gardner to finish in the top-15 for the sixth time in eight races. Jorge currently lies 16th in the championship.
Moto2 action will resume in less than six days at Sachsenring, the venue hosting the ninth race of the season.
15th – JORGE NAVARRO #9
“There are two ways of looking at today’s race: the negative way, given the recent seventh place in Catalunya, or the positive way, if we look at the struggles we had to endure this weekend – and the crashes. I still prefer the second option! I had to get used to the track and the bike in the early laps of the race, but then I got into a nice rhythm and I think that with a better start and without the rain at the end I could have been in the top 10.”
More, from a press release issued by Sky Racing Team VR46 Moto2 Team:
TOP10 FOR FRANCESCO BAGNAIA IN ASSEN
After the yesterday’s crash, Pecco was the protagonist of a good race. Important step forward for Stefano Manzi, 20th on the finishing line.
Assen (Netherlands), June 25th, 2017 – After the bad crash of yesterday, fortunately without consequences, Francesco Bagnaia closed the Dutch GP in tenth place. A positive day for the entire Sky Racing Team VR46: after a series of retirements, Stefano Manzi crossed the finish line into 20th position.
Pecco, started from the 13th place and forced to change the gear lever on the grid, struggled to handle the gears in the initial stages of the race, but was able to keep the contact with the group behind the strongest guys. Renewed the feeling with his Kalex in the second half of the race, he set his pace and was tenth under the checkered flag, second rookies.
Twentieth, after a good start, Stefano, who after a series of difficult races, scored his goal at the end of a positive weekend.
Pablo Nieto, Team Manager:
After the bad crash of yesterday, I did not expect a good race as this one from Pecco. He struggled a bit in the early stages of the race, but he was able, lap after lap, to impose his pace and approach the strongest guys. I’m also happy for Stefano, after so many retirements, it was important to finish the race.
Francesco Bagnaia:
A very long and difficult race. Due to the bad crash of yesterday, I was not 100% fit: I had pain in my leg and shoulders. I had a good start, but I struggled in the first laps. On the starting grid, I was forced to change the shift lever. The Team guys did a great job, but I had to figure out how to manage this situation. In the final laps, I had the same pace of the Top guys. It was a pity for that race start, otherwise I could fight for a better place. Overall a good weekend, I’m happy to be back so fast and competitive.
Stefano Manzi:
It was a tough race but at the same time beautiful. After so many retirements, I wanted to finish the race. I had a good start, but I tried to stay focused not to make mistakes. I kept the rhythm of those who were with me, but 6 laps to the end, due to a race contact, I was forced to exceeded the limits of the track and I preferred not to risk. Thanks to all the Team guys for their work and support in this first part of the season: we have to continue in this direction.
More, from a press release issued by Sky Racing Team VR46 Moto3 Team:
TOP15 FOR BULEGA AND MIGNO IN ASSEN
After a difficult weekend to interpret, the young riders of the Sky Racing Team VR46 both closed in the points. Bulega was tenth, while Migno, after a nice recover, 14th.
Assen (Netherlands), June 25th, 2017 – Nicolò Bulega and Andrea Migno closed the weekend of the Dutch GP – on the historic Assen track – in the Top15. The young riders of the Sky Racing Team VR46 failed to interpret in the best way the changing conditions of the Dutch track and they are respectively in tenth and 14th place on the finishing line.
Bulega, third on the starting grid, in the very first stages of the race, struggled to stay with the strongest guys and was forced to reduce his pace. Alone for the most of the race, he sets his rhythm and was tenth under the checkered flag. Great recovery for Migno – who started from the 26th box of the starting lineup. Andrea battled in the first laps for being close to the Top15 and achieved 2 points.
Pablo Nieto, Team Manager:
It was not an easy weekend to interpret: the weather was very changeable, we had to face different conditions during the weekend and today in the race, on the dry, we could not express our potential in the best way. We need to get back to work and analyze data to being competitive again in Sachsenring.
Andrea Migno:
I was expecting a different weekend, instead we struggled and we were not able to interpret the condition of the track, especially in qualifying. I had a good start and I stayed with the second group. We have to find something in terms of speed to get back to being competitive.
Nicolo Bulega:
It was not the race I was expected: at the beginning I struggled to stay with the first group and lost several positions in the first laps. I was struggling to keep the rhythm of the strongest guys, I was forced to reduce the pace and I was alone till the checkered flag.
More, from a press release issued by Tech 3 Racing:
Tireless Gardner produces strong fight at Cathedral of Speed
The sole Tech3 Racing team rider Remy Gardner fought relentlessly throughout the gruelling 24 lap sprint today in the Netherlands to finish just outside of the points despite his best efforts. The young Australian undertook a solid start from 21st on the grid and moved up six places by the close of the first lap. He then ran a formidable groove and fought ferociously until the chequered flag which he eventually met in 16th.
Meanwhile, Xavi Vierge did not take part in the Dutch Grand Prix after fracturing his left thumb in a fall yesterday. The young Spaniard will have an operation on Tuesday in Barcelona but will be forced to miss the upcoming German Grand Prix. The entire Tech3 Racing team would like to wish Xavi a swift and full recovery.
Remy Gardner
Position: 16th – Championship: 26th – Points: 2
“It was a long and hard race today. My first lap was really good but to be honest, we needed the warm up to be dry this morning because we had a few things to test in order to try and amend the chatter issue that we had. However, due to the rain, we could not do this, so we went into the GP knowing that everything was not absolutely perfect. Anyway, in the sprint itself, it’s a shame that I couldn’t pass Navarro at the end for the last point. I did my best to go around the outside of him at the 14th corner but I couldn’t make it stick, yet races are like that sometimes. I think that now we just have to work a little bit more on the bike but I know that we can make these steps forward and when we do this we can finish the rest of the season in a really good way.”
Hervé Poncharal – Team Manager
“This weekend was tough for the Tech3 Racing Moto2 team. It was a big shame for Xavi because we could see that he looked really good in the dry conditions on day one. He was confident and then rode three very fast laps in the wet yesterday, but unfortunately, he fell and there was a high price to pay. Xavi severely damaged his left thumb by breaking a bone and a tendon so he has to have an operation on Tuesday in Barcelona and he obviously won’t be riding in Sachsenring. This is a big shame but we can say that he was fast and the bike was quick here. Hopefully, the summer break will be long enough for him to recover so that he can come to the Czech Republic fully fit. On the other side, Remy was our only rider yet, he tried really hard and had a positive weekend, plus the race looked like it was going to be the best of the year. Unfortunately, we ended up 16th and just outside of the points, but he fought all the way to the flag. The last two or three laps were his quickest and he made up a lot of ground on Navarro but he lost much time half way through the race. Remy is definitely coming back to where his level is and hopefully his ankle will be completely healed by the time we head to the Czech Grand Prix. There, we should have our two riders fighting for top ten positions which is where we want and need to be.”
More, from a press release issued by British Talent Team:
McPhee back on the podium after incredible ‘Cathedral’ comeback
From nineteenth to the podium for the British Talent Team
John McPhee had a barnstorming Dutch GP for the British Talent Team, staging an awesome comeback from nineteenth on the grid to fight for the win – eventually completing the podium in P3.
Off to a slower start than the Scot wanted, McPhee only made up a handful of places initially before getting in the mix in the second group. As the race began to close up and eventual winner Aron Canet led the charge to catch the frontrunners, McPhee stayed with the Spaniard and was soon up into podium contention. Hitting the lead for the first time with four laps to go, the Scot prepared a final charge after the incredible comeback – challenging for the win on the final lap before crossing the line in third. From P19 to the podium, the gain was an incredible 16 places.
With the big haul of points in the bag McPhee is back in the top five of the Championship. The next stop is now Germany and the Sachsenring, as the grid head out for one last showdown next weekend ahead of the summer break.
John McPhee, P3: “After the weekend we’ve had I’m absolutely delighted to be on the podium, so happy for me and the team to pull this result out after such a tough weekend. The race was great fun – starting from nineteenth was quite difficult but we had the rhythm and the pace and we kept chipping away. I realised I was catching the second group and the second group were catching the leaders. So I kept on fighting away and with about five laps to go I thought I could even win the race and that we had a real good chance. I timed everything perfectly going into the last lap in Turn 9 and 10…I tried to pass Canet and then Canet and Mir ran wide, but to claim the last step on the podium I’m really happy.”
More, from a press release issued by SIC Racing Team:
ASSEN – MOTO3 RACE
NORRODIN FIGHTS AT THE FRONT AS SASAKI BATTLES BACK INTO THE POINTS AT ASSEN
Assen, Netherlands
Circuit: TT Circuit Assen
Circuit Length: 4.5 km
The Dutch Grand Prix saw a bitter sweet ending for the SIC Racing Team with Ayumu Sasaki claiming the last point scoring position in 15th, as Adam Norrodin crashed out on the final lap.
Making a blistering start off the line, Adam Norrodin launched himself up into an impressive fifth place. Looking in strong form the 19-year-old relentlessly battled hard within the leading group, dicing inside the top ten throughout the 22 lap race. Norrodin fearlessly fought back on the final lap, working his way up into sixth position, but forced wide with just two corners to go, disaster struck as the Malaysian lost the front of his #7 machine, crashing out from the race.
Ayumu Sasaki had a tough task at hand starting from 22nd place on the grid but determined to make amends, the Moto3 rookie worked hard to move up through the field and battle his way back into the points.
Johan Stigefelt – Team Manager
“Adam made a great race today; potentially the best in his career so far. He was fighting all the way through. He made a great start and passed many riders on the first lap and was able to stay up there the whole race. He was in the top ten fighting for the podium and it was great to see. Today was not an easy race by any means; conditions were very tricky at the start but he stayed calm and rode incredibly well. In the last lap he was right up there in sixth position, but then he was pushed wide by Martin and he lost the front. It’s very unfortunate but this is racing; this is what can happen when you are fighting at the top. Adam showed today that he is more than capable of going with the leaders when he has a good starting position and this is very important. Despite the end result we are very happy with Adam’s performance and we are looking forward to seeing what he can do in Germany next week.
With Ayumu, he worked hard starting from twenty second and fought all the way through to finish in the points. We know he was capable of a better pace than he showed today, so he definitely had the capacity to do better; maybe twelfth or thirteenth. Nevertheless he built up his rhythm and claimed 15th, so let’s see what we can do next week. I’m confident that he will come back fighting harder.”
#7 ADAM NORRODIN – DNF
“In the first two laps I was trying so hard to break away with the first group. We were fighting a lot but I knew I had nothing to lose. I felt confident and I knew I could fight with them. I battled all the race. On the last lap I was pushing really hard because I could see the front three pulling away. Just before the second last corner I was thinking to stay in my position but in my mind I always want more; I was pushing out of my limit, which if I hadn’t I would probably have scored good points today but this is racing; you don’t do it to just settle for a position unless you are first! Going into the penultimate corner it was very tight with the rider beside me, so I went wide and then lost the front. I’m very disappointed about this because I fought so hard to stay with the group and get a good position. My downfall today is that I wanted more; I wanted to do the best I could but unfortunately this time the risk didn’t pay off. We missed out on points but for me the good thing is that we were always up the front and we showed that we can battle with the best. We will come back fighting in Germany.”
#71 AYUMU SASAKI – P15
“It was a difficult race starting from 22nd position on the grid. I tried to go with the front group but on the third lap in the last chicane, one rider crashed in front of me, so I had to close the gas to avoid him. We then lost 2.5 seconds to the front group so I just had to focus on building my speed again and working my way past as many riders as possible in the second group. It’s disappointing because we had the potential for more today. I had a good feeling on the bike and I knew I could fight. In the end we finished 15th, so I’m glad that we could at least take one point but I hope to do better next week in Germany.”