WorldSBK Superbike Assen: Disillusionment and satisfaction on Yamaha’s side after a confusing round

The Japanese manufacturer experienced everything and its opposite in the Pas-Bas, oscillating between satisfaction with the competitiveness of its machines as well as Andrea Locatelli's first podium in the category on the one hand, and anger following the accident involving Toprak Razgatlioglu and Garrett Gerloff on the other.

The Pata Yamaha team had a mixed weekend at Assen, marked by the accident between Toprak Razgatlioglu et Garrett gerloff au start of Race 2, but also by the first podium in the category ofAndrea Locatelli.

But there is no doubt that it is bitterness that first comes to mind for Razgatlioglu, championship leader as this fifth round approaches. We know it, facing a pilot of the caliber of Jonathan Rhea all points count and there is virtually no room for error, especially on a circuit where the Northern Irishman is so prolific (he now has 15 successes on the Dutch track, a record).

Fratricidal clash between Razgatlioglu and Gerloff

In this sense, the Turkish driver had perfectly rounded his back during the first two races, at the end of which he finished in third place only to concede a total of 14 points. The Yamaha rider even made the holeshot, as he had already done during Race 1 and the Superpole Race, during the very last deadline, but his performance was spoiled from the first turn by a far too reckless Garrett Gerloff.

 

 

With the result that we know: The fall and abandonment of Razgatlioglu. After the race, the latter did not let up, and we can understand it: “ In Race 2, Garrett made a big error,” he declared. “ I'm not sure why he felt compelled to brake hard like that in the first corner. At the start, I had exceeded Rinaldi into the bend but it was not an easy maneuver in the sense that I myself had difficulty stopping my bike. This is why I understand even less the fact that Garrett could have touched me. »

An accident with serious implications for the championship

The consequences of this accident are cruelly felt in the championshipas Rea took advantage of the opportunity to score a hat-trick this weekend, and increase his lead to 37 units over the Turk. This is actually what annoys the person who lost big on Sunday the most: “ I was surprised and all I feel is anger because we lost a lot of points in the championship. »

Gerloff, clearly at fault at the start of Race 2, could only apologize towards his co-religionist and Yamaha, well aware of the harm caused by his blunder: “ I am devastated and all I can do is apologize to Toprak and Yamaha for what happened today,” he declared. “ I had a good start from the third row of the grid, and I felt I had hit someone in the first corner but I didn't realize it was Toprak until I returns to me. »

 

 

In the end, the American also gave up about ten laps from the goal, after suffering a ride-through, completing a nightmarish ordeal for him. The irony of fate is that the American extended with Yamaha until the end of 2022 just before this fifth round took place in Assen.

Nothing says that it would have been the same if the signing of his amendment to the contract had been planned for this week. Especially since the Texan is not making his first mistake of this kind, the latter having already deprived Jonathan Rea of ​​victory in the same circumstances during Race 2 in Aragón, and even sent Michael Ruben Rinaldi to the mat in Estoril after (already) poorly negotiated braking. Enough to rekindle criticism of the “hothead” character of the man who took part in his first MotoGP race at the end of June, it was already at Assen.

First Superbike podium for Locatelli

After this clash between two riders who have recently been tipped to join MotoGP, reasons for satisfaction still exist on the Yamaha side. Starting with Andrea Locatelli's first podium in the category during Race 2. The Italian, author of a very good season so far, had also come very close to a first top 3 earlier in in the morning, but was penalized afterwards for exceeding the limits of the track.

But the second time was the good one in the afternoon, and this time the Race Direction did not come to add their two cents to deprive the Transalpine of the champagne on the podium. “ What a day full of mixed feelings, accomplishments and missed opportunities », Underlined Sunday evening the manager of the Pata Yamaha team, Paul Denning. “ This weekend was a turning point for Andrea. He initially scored a podium during the Superpole Race, but was removed from it for 20 small millimeters of tire outside the track. But this top 3 finally arrived at the end of Race 2, where he was able to ride in front for around ten laps and manage the soft tire perfectly to get his first podium in Superbike! »

 

A Yamaha at the level of the Kawasaki

Even if the balance sheet is to the disadvantage of the brand with three tuning forks at the end of the weekend, Denning is also satisfied with the level of competitiveness of his machines and their ability to challenge the victory at Rea, on one of his favorite circuits. “ It was a tough weekend for Toprak, but you also have to see the glass half way full,” assures Denning. “ Assen has been a favorite venue for Jonathan Rea for several years, and just being able to ride so close to him all weekend, and being in a position to win in Race 2, shows that we can we fight for victory pretty much everywhere. »

The level of competitiveness is one thing, the level of morale is another, and we will have to carefully scrutinize the reaction of Yamaha and Razgatlioglu during the next round, which will be held in two weeks at the Most circuit, in the Republic. Czech.

 

Ranking – Drivers’ Championship:

Classification credit: WorldSBK.com