No one can doubt Franco Morbidelli’s (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS) dedication and aggression, if there’s a gap you’re guaranteed to see the Italian’s front wheel probing. This was no different at the Motul TT Assen, Morbidelli springing to action early in the race and taking no prisoners as he cut his way to the front. By lap four he was in the lead, holding it until Takaaki Nakagami (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) and the chasing group caught up. It was back down to fourth place for Morbidelli who made his way back up to third before too long.
Spots of rain started to fall and startled him somewhat, the VR46 Academy rider choosing to protect third place rather than risk attacking Johann Zarco (Ajo Motorsport) in second. Two laps from the end the red flag came out, justifying his decision to ease off. Third place granted Morbidelli his first podium of 2016, and just the second of his career. In both Qatar and Argentina he showed the pace to fight for the top three, a penalty and a crash ruining his chances in each race. Third place moves Morbidelli to sixth in the Moto2™ World Championship.
Franco Morbidelli: “This has been a very good day and I'm very happy to get my first podium with the team, we have had this potential since the first race of the season. I want to dedicate this first podium to every single person in the team because they deserve it. When I saw the spots of rain I was bit more scared than the other guys so I slowed a little to make sure I got this first podium of the season. In the beginning of the race I had a lot of fun fighting with the front guys and leading for six laps. Now I have a lot of expectation for the next race at the Sachsenring, where I have always been fast.”