The Motul TT Assen is an event which all of the riders circle on their calendar, and it’s also a big weekend for MotoGP™ Fantasy players as well. Anything can – and usually does – happen at Assen, meaning gamers can score big with some astute picks in their team. With that in mind, let motogp.com set the scene for you after a scintillating German Grand Prix just days ago, then cast an eye to what awaits at the Cathedral.
Who made the Dream Team at the Sachsenring?
Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) is enjoying red-hot form with last weekend’s German GP marking his second consecutive win and this third consecutive podium. Unsurprisingly, he was also the biggest scorer in MotoGP™ Fantasy, with 41 points in total. In addition to the 25 points which ‘El Diablo’ earned for the win at Sachsenring, he also accrued a tidy haul from qualifying on the front row, gaining an early position, and setting the fastest lap of the race.
Joining Quartararo as a Gold rider in the Dream Team was fellow Frenchman Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing). He qualified third and finished second in Germany, meaning a total of 30 MotoGP™ Fantasy points.
Heading up the Silver Riders was Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team). The ‘Thriller’ lived up to that nickname by riding his way to a podium despite qualifying sixth and having to serve a Long Lap penalty which cost him three positions. Even that was a hair-raising experience given the gravel which had been spilt into the penalty loop, but Miller kept his Desmosedici upright and fought his way back to third position by the chequered flag. If you had him as a Gold Rider, you would have scored 27 MotoGP™ Fantasy points.
The other rider in the Sachsenring Dream Team was the Sunday man, Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). Unlike Quartararo, Zarco, and Miller, the South African was unable to make it through to Q2, instead earning the majority of his points by charging from 15th on the grid to seventh. Had you selected Binder as one of your Gold riders, you would have collected another 26 MotoGP™ Fantasy points.
Which constructor provided the biggest yield?
Yamaha came out as top constructor in MotoGP™ Fantasy in Germany, but only just. Helping get them over the line was Quartararo’s team-mate at Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™, Franco Morbidelli, who rode from 20th on the grid to 13th. That gave the Iwata marque 29 points, half a point more than Ducati scored in the game.
The key considerations for the Motul TT Assen
The TT Circuit Assen has a habit of turning it on for wild and unpredictable MotoGP™ races, and that means there might be some value plays.
Quartararo also won at the Dutch circuit last year but his price is now 5.2M, making the World Championship leader hard to get hold of without breaking the bank. Looking at the next most recent race winner, Francesco Bagnaia is going for 4.1M, while Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) is 4M. Even when Espargaro has failed to finish on the podium at the last two rounds, he was fifth and then fourth – and one of those results would have looked a whole lot different if not for that heartbreaking lap count error.
One name that does really stand out as a value pick is Miller. The Australian will only set you back 2.6M yet, if the German GP was any indication, he is clearly much happier with the settings of his Desmosedici after the Catalunya Official Test. Plus, rain is forecast at various times during the weekend, including race day, and it was a weather-affected 2016 Dutch TT when Miller became a MotoGP™ race winner.
The Pramac Ducati riders are also worth a look, with Zarco quietly accumulating solid points in both the riders’ World Championship and for MotoGP™ Fantasy players. He is priced at 3.9M while Martin’s going rate is 2.6M. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) is hitting some good form yet is cheap at 1.3M, and Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) showed good pace at the Sachsenring before retiring with a technical drama. 'Top Gun' is therefore worth a look at 2.7M.
It's time to make your selections as we get ready for what will surely be another hair-raising weekend at Assen!