EVEN FOR A triple world champion, Pecco Bagnaia hit new heights at Assen. The Italian was irresistible from the start of the weekend, topping every practice session and claiming pole there for the first time in his MotoGP career, before holding the opposition at arm’s length in both the Sprint and feature race to record a second straight double.
He made a little piece of history, becoming the first rider to achieve three successive wins at Assen since Mick Doohan won five in a row from 1994 to 1998.
The fact Bagnaia bears a tattoo on his right arm of the TT Circuit Assen outline shows the esteem he holds this historic venue. After a shaky start to the year, Bagnaia is hitting peak form at the optimum time, as he tore chunks out of Jorge Martin’s (Pramac Ducati) championship lead.
Meanwhile Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM) finished 11th to score his first points in five rounds since the US.
As the three-week break that followed Mugello was filled with speculation regarding the future plans of Martin and Marc Marquez (Gresini Ducati), Bagnaia was the forgotten man. Yet this suited the reigning champ down to the ground. “Sometimes it’s better when no one is talking about you,” he said. Ducati’s lead rider left no one in any doubt leaving Assen he’s the rider to beat in the 11 races that follow.
“I have no
