Eighth at the end of qualifying, eighth under the checkered flag and eight points scored, this meeting in the Netherlands was definitely to be placed under the seal of the number eight for Johann zarco. While remembering that Assen marked the eighth meeting of the season! In total, here is the Frenchman with… 81 points in the championship, synonymous with fourth place in the provisional general classification. But the opponents are moving up, starting with Crutchlow now two points in the hierarchy reserved for independent drivers. It's time for the summer break to arrive, especially since, according to the boss's admission Hervé Poncharal, the pilot is not in very good shape…
It is a fact that, since the French Grand Prix, Johann zarco gives the impression of marking time. A trend thatHervé Poncharal explains on motogp.com: “ At the start of the season everything seemed easy, compared to the official teams or now. But since his fall at Le Mans, things have become a little complicated... and it is clear that we are experiencing a situation quite similar to that of 2017. The bike has been frozen since Qatar but it is also happening in the rider's head. Last season, he didn't worry too much about it because he was a rookie. But this year, when he found himself second in the Championship after Jerez, his ambitions were much higher. Currently he is going through a more delicate period, but that is also how we learn ».
In fact, every positive moment helps get the tricolor back on track and Assen has once again helped to get back on the right path: “ this Sunday was a good day” comments Syahrin’s teammate. “I saw some things to improve during the warm-up which I communicated to the team. I wanted us to improve on braking and we succeeded. I had good feelings. The start was hectic, but I was able to break away from the duel between the Suzukis before passing Petrucci and riding with Crutchlow in the fantastic leading group ».
« I was able to stay with them but I couldn't do more. We are still missing something to get the podium. But I have to be satisfied. Good feelings return. It was a good race and fun too. We remain fourth in the championship and we have to stay fort”.
Dutch Grand Prix Assen MotoGP J.3: Chronos
| 1 | 93 | Marc Márquez | Honda | 41'13.863 |
| 2 | 42 | Alex Rins | Suzuki | +2.269 |
| 3 | 25 | Maverick VIÑALES | Yamaha | +2.308 |
| 4 | 4 | Andrea Dovizioso | Ducati | +2.422 |
| 5 | 46 | Valentino ROSSI | Yamaha | +2.963 |
| 6 | 35 | Cal Crutchlow | Honda | +3.876 |
| 7 | 99 | Jorge Lorenzo | Ducati | +4.462 |
| 8 | 5 | johann zarco | Yamaha | +7.001 |
| 9 | 19 | Alvaro BAUTISTA | Ducati | +7.541 |
| 10 | 43 | Jack Miller | Ducati | +13.056 |
| 11 | 29 | Andrea Iannone | Suzuki | +14.255 |
| 12 | 44 | Pol Espargaró | KTM | +15.876 |
| 13 | 41 | Aleix Espargaro | Aprilia | +15.986 |
| 14 | 45 | Scott REDDING | Aprilia | +16.019 |
| 15 | 26 | Dani PEDROSA | Honda | +16.043 |
| 16 | 53 | Tito RABAT | Ducati | +16.416 |
| 17 | 38 | Bradley SMITH | KTM | +29.073 |
| 18 | 55 | Hafiz Syahrin | Yamaha | +33.824 |
| 19 | 30 | Takaaki NAKAGAMI | Honda | +34.037 |
| 20 | 12 | Thomas LUTHI | Honda | +47.853 |
| Not Classified | ||||
| 9 | Danilo PETRUCCI | Ducati | 9 lapses | |
| 10 | Xavier SIMEON | Ducati | 9 lapses | |
| 17 | Karel ABRAHAM | Ducati | 15 lapses |
