VOLUME 59 ISSUE 26 JUNE 28, 2022 P65
POL WITHDRAWS
Pol Espargaro's miserable run con-
tinued at Assen as the Catalan with-
drew from the Dutch TT on Saturday
morning due to an injury to his left
ribs sustained in a Friday spill at the
Sachsenring. The former Moto2
Champion was in some discomfort
in FP1 and FP2, as he attempted
to manhandle his RC213V around
the track's numerous high-speed
changes of direction. Then upon
waking up on Saturday, it soon be-
came clear he could no longer ride
through the weekend.
ZARCO STAYING PUT
Rarely mentioned as one of
MotoGP's leading names, Johann
Zarco has been one of the unsung
heroes of the year so far, sitting
third in the standings coming into
Assen, and crucially the top Ducati.
And all of this while acting as the
factory's guinea pig, the only rider
from their stable persisting with the
front ride-height device in the open-
ing 10 races. Zarco's efforts will be
rewarded with a contract extension,
most likely in the Pramac team.
"They know how I think," he said
coming into the weekend. "They
know the chance to stay with Ducati
is the best thing for me to build up
my results and get a victory. It's
not signed, but just by talking, it's
almost 100 percent sure."
MOTOGP CHANGES?
Series organizers Dorna launched
a survey for fans to complete during
the German GP. Viewers and fans
were asked whether they would like
to see a shake up to the structure
of a race weekend, with fresh ideas
like points awarded for qualify-
ing, and shorter sprint races held
Briefly...
Rookie Bezzecchi rode
like a veteran for his first
MotoGP podium.
