09-25-2018, 07:19 PM
Assen TT sees Castori, Rizza and Taka take top spots at drama-filled weekend.
Alex Castori and Antoni Rizza ran away from the field once more with Taka unable to do anything but chase for a distant third. Notably missing was Ducati frontrunner Nika Raskov, who was taken out in a horrific crash during Friday’s FP1; a rude ending to her run of five straight victories.
Having inspected the machines involved and finding no mechanical cause to fault, Race Direction imposed a five-grid penalty on Yamaha’s James Hargrave for causing the incident as well as adding a point to his racing license for unsafe maneuvering. Raskov was released from hospital early Sunday but was not cleared to race after failing to clear MotoGP concussion protocols.
Heated words were said to have been exchanged between the Ducati and Yamaha sides after Hargrave’s dismissive comments during Friday’s press conference were lacking any sort of apology. Raskov’s statement given Sunday about the collision was ‘...to wish James all the luck in the world as he learns how to ride a racing bike.’ Hargrave was absent from a scheduled press conference post-sanction and Yamaha PR has declined to comment beyond their initial statement made Friday; ‘Hoping Raskov recovers fully from her accident.’
MotoGP action returns at the legendary Sachsenring after a three-week testing break.
Alex Castori and Antoni Rizza ran away from the field once more with Taka unable to do anything but chase for a distant third. Notably missing was Ducati frontrunner Nika Raskov, who was taken out in a horrific crash during Friday’s FP1; a rude ending to her run of five straight victories.
Having inspected the machines involved and finding no mechanical cause to fault, Race Direction imposed a five-grid penalty on Yamaha’s James Hargrave for causing the incident as well as adding a point to his racing license for unsafe maneuvering. Raskov was released from hospital early Sunday but was not cleared to race after failing to clear MotoGP concussion protocols.
Heated words were said to have been exchanged between the Ducati and Yamaha sides after Hargrave’s dismissive comments during Friday’s press conference were lacking any sort of apology. Raskov’s statement given Sunday about the collision was ‘...to wish James all the luck in the world as he learns how to ride a racing bike.’ Hargrave was absent from a scheduled press conference post-sanction and Yamaha PR has declined to comment beyond their initial statement made Friday; ‘Hoping Raskov recovers fully from her accident.’
MotoGP action returns at the legendary Sachsenring after a three-week testing break.