Assen should boost SRT’s confidence

PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (SRT) have a lot to look forward to going into the Assen round of the MotoGP World Championships which starts with the practice rounds in the Netherlands today.

The outfit scored their second pole position of the season through rookie Fabio Quartararo at the last round in Catalunya, where teammate Franco Morbidelli lined up third on the grid.

SRT scored their first-ever podium in the race after Quartararo came in second in the race.

Assen is a circuit where both SRT riders have done well in previous seasons and much will be expected from the duo this weekend.

Quartararo, who has been hogging the headlines since becoming the youngest ever pole-sitter in MotoGP during the Jerez round last month, is, however, wary not to get carried away by the hype.

“We go to Assen motivated after the great result from Barcelona but we have to keep calm and continue working as we have been so far,” said Quartararo.

“We know exactly what our goal is, which is to be Rookie of the Year, so we shouldn’t lose sight of this and just keep going step by step.

“If we continue working like this, I’m sure that we will enjoy further success such as the pole and podium we got at the Catalan GP.

“We had a positive test in Barcelona, so we go to the Netherlands enthusiastic about things. I’ve also recovered from my right forearm operation.

“Assen is a circuit that I like, I’ve achieved two podiums there and I’m looking forward to a good weekend.”

The 20-year-old finished second in Assen in Moto2 last year and was also runner-up in 2015 when he was competing in the lightweight class (Moto3).

Quartararo finished fifth in the official Monday test after the Catalan GP while Morbidelli was second. The test was held at the same circuit.

Morbidelli, who crashed out in his last two races, is eager to bounce back.

“The last two GPs ended with a bad final result (for myself) but with us having a good feeling – especially in Barcelona (Catalunya) where we took another front row start,” said Morbidelli.

“Assen is a circuit where I typically do well. In 2017, I won there so I can’t wait for the weekend to start.”

Morbidelli won at Assen in 2017 and came in third a year earlier when he was competing in Moto2.

He won the Moto2 World Championship in 2017 and was MotoGP Rookie of the Year last season.