Starting from pole position, Italian driver Francesco Bagnaia completed a solo race to win the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday June 26. The Italian Marco Bezzechi (Ducati-VR46) and the Spaniard Maverick Vinales (Aprilia) complete the podium.
Frenchman Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha), defending champion and leader of the MotoGP world championship, retired after falling twice at mid-race on the Assen track, 11th round of the year (out of 20) .
Starting second on the starting grid, Quartararo fell on the 5th then on the 13th lap out of 26. Even if he quickly got back on his feet, he had to retire after this second accident. This is the first time this year that the championship leader has given up, having entered the top 10 at each of the Grands Prix.
Impressive fall but without gravity
The Frenchman got off to a bad start and was quickly overtaken by Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia). It was while wanting to recover his second place, in an attempt to overtake on the inside of a bend, that the Frenchman lost control of his bike. Quartararo ended up in the gravel, but he got back on his bike, in last place however. Touched by the Frenchman, Aleix Espargaro did not fall, but he tumbled in the standings.
A few laps later, “Quarta” fell on his own, this time. An impressive fall but without apparent injury.
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati), who started from pole position, took the opportunity to lead the race more easily. Sixth in the championship, he signs the good operation of the weekend.
Quartararo, with a 34-point lead in the championship, remains the leader after this Grand Prix, but he loses ground on Aleix Espargaro (5th).