Márquez is just 11 points down on the lead after finishing third in an exciting race at Assen. Reigning World Champion was second off the start, a position that he held until 10 laps from the end.
Two laps later it started to rain lightly, and the four riders at the front bunched together, although Rossi and Petrucci pulled away and Márquez finally fought for the podium with Dovizioso and Crutchlow until the end.
Márquez’ third position is the 400th podium for the Repsol Honda Team, and also the 400th for a Spanish rider in the premier class.
Marc Márquez: “I’m very happy with the podium and with our race, as we were competitive enough in the dry at this track, which isn’t one of the best for us. Of course conditions were quite tricky and in this kind of situation you can lose or gain many points. I opted for the ‘safe’ option, more or less.
Maybe I would have been able to try and fight for the victory, but honestly I had some warnings and thought it too dangerous for the Championship, so I decided to be consistent in the race and to push hard at the end. I paid close attention as it was hard to understand where the limit was, but in the end I was able to manage well.
We’re just 11 points down on the lead and that’s important, no matter the fourth position. Now we go to some circuits that could be better for us, so let’s keep working hard and see what happens.”
