DOUBLE COMEBACK AT ASSEN AS RODRIGO MISSES OUT ON PODIUM FINISH
Despite not being the first near-miss in terms of podium finishes this year, Gabriel Rodrigo’s important result surely came under very different circumstances today. After starting from the 16thposition on the grid due to the penalty inflicted by Race Direction after the #CatalanGP, Rodrigo managed to make his way back to the leading group in fifth place, before moving all the way down to 22ndand then crossing the line one tenth of a second away from the podium in fourth.
This is a short recap of a race that was absolutely crazy at times, which the rider #19 of Team Kömmerling Gresini Moto3 managed to master while finding 13 important points to regain confidence and get back with the leading group. Rodrigo might sit only in 10thplace in the standings, but he is “only” 57 points away from the top.
If one rider managed to find the light at the end of a two-race tunnel, the other could not find the solutions he was looking for at the ‘Cathedral’. Riccardo Rossi had a very difficult time throughout the weekend and finished the encounter in 21stplace.
In order – for Rodrigo – to keep the momentum and – for Rossi – to change it, there is one more chance before the summer break – the Sachsenring, which awaits Team Kömmerling Gresini Moto3 next weekend already.
4th– GABRI RODRIGO #19
“I was feeling very well at the start of the race and I managed to make my way to the front pretty quickly – up to eighth place. I relaxed for a second and I got passed not by two, but eight riders! Also, in order to avoid the green strip at the last chicane – and a possible penalty – I closed the throttle and found myself basically in 20thplace. From then onwards a new race started, and it was all about giving it all to come back again. I avoided a crash in front of me; I wanted to catch Arbolino and Dalla Porta, but they had something more today. After two DNFs this is a positive result, a sort of “different” fourth place. Now we can look ahead at Sachsenring with greater confidence.”
21st– RICCARDO ROSSI #54
“It was a weekend to forget. At this track I struggled so much to adapt: I felt almost blocked on the bike and I don’t think it was about riding style, but a matter of head. The only thing I can take away from here is a lot of experience, but at Sachsenring we must do something more. It’ll be another difficult track, but we can only keep our head down.”