VOLUME ISSUE JULY , P89
E
ven for a triple World
Champion, Pecco Bagnaia
appeared to hit new heights
at Assen. The Italian was indomi-
table from the start of the Dutch
TT to the end, topping every prac-
tice session and claiming pole
for the first time in his MotoGP
career, before holding the oppo
-
sition at arm's length in both the
Sprint and feature race to record
a second straight double.
It was just the second time
a rider had won both races in
a weekend after leading every
lap and posting the fastest
lap—after Bagnaia did so in
Austria last year. The fact he
bears a tattoo on his right arm
of the TT Circuit Assen outline
shows the esteem he holds for
this historic venue. Few would
even argue that the 27-year-old
is reaching new heights in his
performance, as he tore chunks
out of Jorge Martin's (Pramac
Ducati) championship lead.
As the three-week break that
followed Mugello was filled with
speculation regarding the future
plans of Martin and Marc Mar
-
quez (Gresini Ducati), Bagnaia
was the sport's forgotten man
by comparison. Yet this suited
the reigning champ perfectly.
"Sometimes it's better when no
one is talking about you," he said.
His speed in Assen was
relentless, as he smashed the
race record by a staggering 30
seconds, and beat Martin by
three. "I have no excuses today,"
Martin said. "I just have to con
-
gratulate Pecco."
BY NEIL MORRISON
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GOLD & GOOSE
Francesco Bagnaia
was on another level
in dominating the
Assen Grand Prix
e c t i o n !
