MotoGP Assen: ‘Mythical track, every rider wants to win’ - Quartararo

Fabio Quartararo began his Assen weekend by unveiling his place on the city’s ‘Walk of Fame’ due to his victory last year.

“Assen is a track that, from my point of view is mythical and is a track that every rider wants to win, like Mugello, Phillip Island. Is some tracks that are super special, from my side and you have this thing on the street of Assen is something super special,” Quartararo said of the new dedication.

Having begun 2022 fearing his Yamaha M1 wouldn’t be up to the task of defending his MotoGP title due to a top speed deficit, the Monster Energy rider sits 34 points clear in the standings at the half way stage.

“Has been a great first part of the season,” he confirmed from the Dutch TT paddock. “Qatar, Argentina and Austin was quite tough. I think like I said many times, I was complaining a little bit too much about my top speed and I was not focused on my riding. Then when we arrived to Europe I could really focus on riding, made great, great results and, of course, from Portugal to now we have made almost all the time podium, just in Le Mans we finished fourth. “I think that we made a great, great first ten races, exactly same points as last year on that stage, so I think we are on a great way.”

When asked for his highlight so far, the Frenchman had a few to choose from.

“Of course the win in Portugal, because when you come from really tough moments and you win, in Portugal was I think one of the best,” he answered before continuing, “but of course, Sachsenring I never really expect to win on that kind of track and then yes, of course the victories, the podiums, the race of Mugello, where I was struggling all the weekend. So yeah, it was pretty great races in Europe.”

While Assen comes as the last race