Riders were cautious as the Motul TT Assen began on Sunday, unsure of how hard they could push in the wet. Everyone but Yonny Hernandez (Aspar Team MotoGP) tiptoed around, the Colombian charging ahead after Qualifying in a super sixth place. On the third lap of the race the Colombian took the lead in a MotoGP™ World Championship race for the first time, no one behind willing to match the risks he was taking. For nine laps he pushed and extended his lead until he went beyond on the limit and fell, dropping down the order as everyone else raced past. His bike was damaged and as such Hernandez returned to the pits for his second machine. Back out he went, doomed to suffer another fall soon after.
This second fall came before the race was stopped and as such the Colombian was unable to join the restart. A weekend with so much promise offered no reward, but the next time a race is wet more people are sure to pay attention to Hernandez.
Yonny Hernandez: “I felt sure I could win the race, I didn't feel like I was on the limit and thought I had everything under control. However, I felt the front tuck a little and even though I tried to save it on my knee it wasn't to be. It is a shame because our main objective today was to finish the race and we didn't manage it. It was a great race for us up to that point, I am happy that I have led nine laps of a MotoGP World Championship race. Hopefully I get another opportunity like this and don't make the same mistake again.”