MotoGP Assen: Ducati and Aprilia dominate action as Bagnaia wins

Ducati Lenovo’s Pecco Bagnaia dominated from start to finish during a dramatic MotoGP race at the TT Circuit Assen on Sunday.

The VR46 celebrations were doubled as Marco Bezzecchi secured his maiden podium in the premier class with a determined second place on the Mooney GP21 with Maverick Viñales celebrating for the first time in Aprilia colours from third. His Noale teammate, Aleix Espargaro, recovering from an early incident with a 15th to fourth fightback at the flag. Five Ducatis - both factory riders, both Gresini riders and Luca Marini - lined up on soft front Michelin tyres as the rest of the grid prepared on mediums with a third of the pack opting for soft versus hard on the rear. Jack Miller and both Gresini’s of Fabio Di Giannantonio and Enea Bastianini on a soft/soft combination ahead of the 26-lap race.

Bagnaia headed the grid for the fourth time this season and second in succession, from reigning champion Fabio Quartararo with Jorge Martin completing the front row on the Pramac GP22. Mooney VR46’s impressive rookie Bezzecchi looked strong from fourth ahead of Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro with Miller sitting sixth and facing his second long lap penalty in as many races.

A sell-out crowd witnessed Bagnaia hold the holeshot as Martin and Espargaro advanced on Quartararo before the Yamaha hit back. The Aprilia thorough again halfway round as Bezzecchi battled with Miller for fifth. Johann Zarco down in 12th on the second Pramac Ducati with Brad Binder, Takaaki Nakagami, Viñales and Miguel Oliveira completing the top 10. The two Suzuki Ecstar men down on the edge of the points.

Bagnaia held a half-second advantage as lap three began. His teammate dispatching his long lap penalty as he dropped to tenth next time