MotoGP Assen 2018: Márquez wins the battle of the year in MotoGP!

It’s a Dutch Grand Prix exciting that presents itself to us on this Sunday, and first of all because the weather is beautiful. A fairly rare fact which, combined with a hierarchy in the form of close ranks, promises us a contested and indecisive race. In the unexpected heat on the Assen track, the choice of tires will perhaps be even more essential than elsewhere. Who will win the bet? A Márquez who has shown that he can maintain a fantastic pace and who will start from pole position, a Yamaha that we say is in his garden or even a Ducati which has dominated the last two meetings?

Before launching into speculation, here is the table which summarizes the facts since Friday, specifying the package of a Franco Morbidelli injured since Saturday...

 

MotoGP™ Assen	2017	2018
FP1	1'34.680 Danilo Petrucci	1'34.227 Marc Márquez
FP2	1'33.130 Maverick Viñales	1'33.378 Maverick Viñales
FP3	1'46.441 Scott Redding	1'33.341 Marc Márquez
FP4	1'44.925 Johann Zarco	1'33.954 Johann Zarco
Qualification 1	1'46.926 Scott Redding	1'32.791 Marc Marquez
Qualification 2	1'46.141 Johann Zarco	1'32.791 Marc Márquez
warm up	1'51.203 Jack Miller	1'33.939 Marc Márquez
Course	Rossi, Petrucci, Marquez
All time lap record	1'32.627 Valentino Rossi 2015

 

Marc Márquez had never scored a MotoGP pole at Assen. The Spaniard now has 75, including 47 in the premier category. It is also his first pole this year, knowing that he was penalized by three places in Austin. However, in the last seven years, only two drivers have won from pole position at Assen: Casey Stoner (2012) et Valentino Rossi (2015). The same Red, third in qualifying, will start from the front row for the second time this year. The Italian remains the most successful driver in the Netherlands, with 10 victories on the clock, including nine after starting from one of the two front rows.

The fact remains that Yamaha has not triumphed for a year. The last time the tuning fork brand experienced such a period of scarcity was in 2002-2003. For his part, Andrea Dovizioso, qualified in fourth position, is the best placed Ducati representative on the grid. He will try to succeed Casey Stoner, the only driver to have triumphed for the Italian brand at Assen. After three falls in four Grands Prix, Dovi no longer has the right to make mistakes. Finally, Johann zarco, author of pole position during the previous edition, will start from eighth place. For the third time in a row, the Frenchman does not appear in the Top 6 in qualifying.

For the 26 laps to be completed on a track heated to 40°, Pedrosa, Márquez et Crutchlow some tenders are coming up at the back due to a strong gusty wind. Red also and the front are mediums. Medium Hard for Dovi, soft hard for Lorenzo and medium hard for zarco.

Marquez, Lorenzo, Crutchlow Dovi, Rossi is the first hierarchy of the first turn. A good move for Por Fuera who emerged from his tenth place. He even takes the lead and promises us a hammer race. The duel with the Honda official begins before the eyes of Red et Dovi.

At turn 15 of the second lap, Márquez takes orders at Ducati not without showing his authority and determination. Casa Particular in Viñales is eighth, ahead zarco.

One turn later, Lorenzo counterattacks at turn 9 and forces Márquez to give up. Red took advantage of this in the chicane to insert himself between the two Spaniards. Dovizioso don't miss a beat!

Things are still lively with a Red touching the back of Lorenzo and Dovizioso being pushed by Márquez. Por Fuera already seems to be suffering from his soft front tire. Marquez et Dovi spend Red…The first seven are within a second with some zarco in. Kidneys pass Red et Casa Particular in Viñales traced back.

Eight turns are made and Lorenzo stay ahead Márquez et Kidneys. zarco offers himself the scalp of Crutchlow for seventh place. Dovizioso moves back to third by the way Kidneys. Iannone, ninth, works to reconnect with this group of furious people.

Kidneys feels itself growing wings and attacks Márquez who miraculously recovers and plunges into the fray between Dovi and the two Yamahas. The Suzuki official's maneuver is under investigation. And we wonder why, the proof in images…

And there will be nothing. Márquez even takes revenge and becomes third again behind the two Ducatis. Kidneys fourth contains Casa Particular in Viñales, Red et zarco. 12 laps from the goal, Dovizioso take the lead Lorenzo. One turn later, Marquez double Lorenzo and sets off in pursuit of Dovi.

There are seven of them who can claim victory 10 laps from the checkered flag. The wear of the rubbers will speak. zarco is the first to break down and is let go. Lorenzo iron Márquez et Dovizioso can't let go of the group in which Casa Particular in Viñales et Red are in full explanation.

Dovi keeps the furious behind him while Petrucci fall at turn 5. Casa Particular in Viñales attack Márquez then gets back on the Ducati to take control. Kidneys et Lorenzo touch each other and let pass Red. Dovi is third behind Márquez et Casa Particular in Viñales.

Seven rounds before the armistice and Márquez attack to settle in front… Casa Particular in Viñales, Dovizioso et Red are the survivors to claim victory. Casa Particular in Viñales et Márquez fade in and out slightly. Dovizioso didn't ask for that much, but Red emerges and takes control... What a race!

With 5 laps to go, all these beautiful people meet again, including Kidneys et Crutchlow. But Lorenzo seventh is one second away.

Last salvo! Marquez makes the effort to take shelter. And rightly so. Red shoot straight into a scrum Dovi also. Kidneys glimpses the podium behind Casa Particular in Viñales et Márquez who took off.  Kidneys did even better by stealing second place from Casa Particular in Viñales. Dovi, Rossi Crutchlow et Lorenzo follow and zarco is eighth. Márquez leads the championship with 41 points ahead…

Dutch Grand Prix Assen MotoGP Race: Standings

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 ESPARGARÓ	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 LÜTHI	Honda	+47.853
		Not Classified
	9	Danilo PETRUCCI	Ducati	9 lapses
	10	Xavier SIMÉON	Ducati	9 lapses
	17	Karel ABRAHAM	Ducati	15 lapses