RIDER RATINGS: Four 10/10s, but who is the surprise inclusion?

Francesco Bagnaia - 10

(Qualified 1st, finished 1st)

Like in Sachsenring, Bagnaia was untouchable in qualifying as he broke yet another lap record. After making a brilliant start and leading into turn one, Bagnaia delivered a signature Bagnaia performance as he controlled the race thereafter. Although there was drama behind him involving two riders that likely could have challenged the Italian for the win, Bagnaia’s faultless weekend was another sign that he’s a title contender should his own mistakes be eliminated.   

Marco Bezzecchi - 10

(Qualified 4th, finished 2nd) 

Another stunning qualifying from Bezzecchi set the Ducati rider up for a very good result, which is exactly what happened. Bezzecchi’s first MotoGP podium was one that saw him surprisingly keep tough with Bagnaia until the final few laps. And although he was never close to challenging his fellow VR46 Academy rider, Bezzecchi secured a result that was very much on the cards based on recent performances. 

• Dutch MotoGP of Assen full race results
• Fabio Quartararo penalty for 'stupid mistake' - traction control failure?

Maverick Vinales - 10

(Qualified 11th, finished 3rd) 

With Vinales so often struggling when it comes to making his way through the field during the early stages of races, the Dutch MotoGP turned out to be far from that as he showed incredible speed to get in front of several Ducati riders. After making his way past KTM’s Brad Binder for P4, Vinales made light work of Jorge Martin as rain began to fall. Despite a late challenge from Jack Miller, Vinales resisted the pressure which was another sign that he and Aprilia are becoming a force to reckon with. While the pace shown by Vinales was not a surprise, the way he carved his way through the field was, and for that reason along with taking a first podium with Aprilia he gets a pefect score. 

Aleix Espargaro - 10

(Qualified 5th, finished 4th) 

Arguably the ride of his career, Espargaro recovered from Quartararo crashing into him - a mistake that meant Espargaro dropped down to 15th after running through the gravel at turn five - in order to gain significant points in the championship. Espargaro began to pick off riders with ease before another charge in the final few laps led to some truly breathtaking overtakes. On the last lap Espargaro got through on Martin for sixth, but it was his double overtake at the final corner which stole the show. As Binder lined-up a move on Miller for fourth, Espargaro went to the inside of both riders and still managed to make the corner. 

Brad Binder - 9

(Qualified 10th, finished 5th)

After a solid qualifying performance, Binder again produced his Sunday magic in order to finish well ahead of team-mate Miguel Oliveira. Had it not been for Espargaro’s stunning last lap overtake, then Binder would likely have claimed fourth. The South African continues to show why KTM has a world champion calibre rider at their disposal. 

Jack Miller - 8

(Qualified 6th, finished 6th)

As is becoming a theme in recent rounds, Miller had to recover from another long-lap penalty in order to challenge for the podium. And although he was close, a failed attempt to get passed Vinales at the final chicane was the reason as to why he came under pressure and ultimately lost another two places. 

Jorge Martin - 7

(Qualified 3rd, finished 7th)

Making it four Ducatis inside the top seven was Martin who was in contention for a podium for much of the race. However, the Spaniard struggled when light rain began to fall as he quickly dropped from third to sixth. Although it’s not the end result he would have wanted, Martin was again better than Enea Bastianini, the rider he’s competing with for the factory seat. 

Joan Mir - 8

(Qualified 14th, finished 8th) 

While Mir recovered well from another disappointing qualifying, the lack of competitiveness from Suzuki and himself in recent rounds has been a big surprise. 

Miguel Oliveira - 7

(Qualified 8th, finished 9th)

Despite out-qualifying Binder, Oliveira failed to produce the same type of race pace needed to stay with his team-mate. The Portuguese rider finished just under six seconds back from Binder. 

Alex Rins - 7

(Qualified 9th, finished 10th) 

Like Mir, Rins was unable to fight for a top five after struggling during the early laps. After being overtaken by Espargaro, the Suzuki rider was initially able to stay with him before the pace set by Espargaro was too much for Rins. 

Enea Bastianini - 6

(Qualified 16th, finished 11th)

Another tough weekend for Bastianini as the Italian crashed twice. During the Grand Prix the Gresini Ducati rider was able to make up five positions, however, the impressive late race pace we so often see from Bastianini was not there. 

Takaaki Nakagami - 6

(Qualified 12th, finished 12th)

Finishing where he started, Nakagami was another rider who felt the wrath of Race Direction as he exceeded track limits on too many occasions and was given a long-lap penalty.

Johann Zarco - 4

(Qualified 7th, finished 13th)

A very un-Zarco like performance as the Pramac rider struggled for pace throughout. On a day where points were there to be gained on Quartararo, Zarco certainly missed an opportunity. 

Fabio Di Giannantonio - 5

(Qualified 15th, finished 14th) 

After failing to reach the heights he’s recently shown in qualifying, the Dutch MotoGP continued in a similar vein for Di Giannantonio. 

Alex Marquez - 6

(Qualified 21st, finished 15th) 

On a weekend where Marquez secured a surprising move to Gresini Ducati for 2023, the Spaniard had no pace in qualifying before salvaging a points scoring finish with P15.

Andrea Dovizioso - 5

(Qualified 17th, finished 16th)

For the first time this season Dovizioso finished as the highest placed Yamaha rider in a race, yet he was unable to make it into the points in what was another race to forget. 

Luca Marini - 4

(Qualified 13th, finished 17th) 

With his team-mate on the podium, Assen won’t be looked back on fondly for Marini as he was off the pace all weekend.

Stefan Bradl - 5

(Qualified 18th, finished 18th)

A much better performance for Bradl as ‘bike burning’ issues were totally put behind him in Assen. 

Remy Gardner - 4

(Qualified 19th, finished 19th)

Stuck between the two test riders, Gardner, who could be set to stay with Tech 3 KTM in 2023, had another very difficult round. 

Lorenzo Savadori - 5

(Qualified 22nd, finished 20th)

Last of the riders to finish, the Dutch MotoGP was another important race for Savadori as he continues to develop the 22RS-GP. 

Fabio Quartararo - 3

(Qualified 2nd, DNF) 

The big loser from this weekend, not just in terms of his overall result, but also in our scoring, Quartararo had an awful MotoGP of Assen. After a mistake at turn one on the opening lap, Quartararo made a much more costly error at turn five when he slammed into the side of Espargaro. The series leader lost the front-end of his machine after a very clumsy lunge and therefore crashed into the Aprilia rider. But after remounting and making a quick return to pit lane, Quartararo elected to go back out before suffering another fall at turn five, this time because of an apparent traction control failure. 

Franco Morbidelli - 3

(Qualified 20th, DNF)

Another difficult weekend for Morbidelli began with him picking up a long-lap penalty after riding slowly on the racing line. The Italian was awarded a penalty for his second offence which took place in FP2, as he unintentionally blocked Bastianini at one of the fastest sections of the circuit (sector four). In the race, Morbidelli had a disaster as he got hit with another long-lap penalty for not taking the first one, before he also crashed out at turn five.

Raul Fernandez - 4

(Qualified 23rd, DNF) 

Fernandez, who was nowhere in the race, eventually retired after seemingly suffering with a left arm issue. 

Darryn Binder - 4

(Qualified 24th, DNF) 

Making it three Yamahas not to finish, Binder crashed out shortly after Morbidelli did so. The 2022 season is looking more and more like it could be his only one in MotoGP.