Assen, The Netherlands

Assen MotoGP Saturday Subscriber Notes: A State Of Grace At Assen

By David Emmett |

There are tracks which riders like, there are tracks which riders love, and there are tracks where riders become one with every corner, every brake point, every bump and every rise. For some reason, a particular layout will suit the riding style of a specific rider. If that rider is fast enough, and if their bike is good enough, they can reign supreme, make it look effortless.

Think of Marc Marquez at The Sachsenring. Or Valentino Rossi at Mugello in the early years of this century. Or Casey Stoner at Phillip Island. Places which become so intertwined with a particular rider that it becomes almost impossible to imagine anyone else winning there. That the result of the race is a foregone conclusion, even before they even arrive there.

Jorge Martin Given Three-Place Grid Penalty For Q2 Incident With Raul Fernandez

By David Emmett |

Jorge Martin has been handed a three-place grid penalty for the Assen MotoGP race on Sunday. Martin was punished for riding slowly through the first section of the track during Q2, and getting in the way of Raul Fernandez. Because it was his first offense of the season, the penalty was only three grid positions.

This means that Martin will start Sunday's Dutch TT from fifth. His demotion means that Maverick Viñales starts from second, Alex Marquez is promoted to the front row of the grid, and Aleix Espargaro moves to fourth. That is only if Espargaro is ruled fit. The Aprilia rider is currently undergoing tests at a local hospital to see if he has any serious injuries from his crash during the sprint race.

Subscribe to Assen, The Netherlands