Rossi king in Assen, Vinales crashes out at Dutch Grand Prix
Legendary Italian reignites the MotoGP championship race as his dream of a 10th world title becomes more of a reality
Italian MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi won a gripping Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday to reignite the evergreen 38-year-old’s dream of a 10th world title, as Maverick Vinales’ nightmare run continued.
Vinales went into this eighth leg of the season in Assen leading the 2017 championship, but after making up ground from 11th on the grid to fifth, he crashed out on lap 12.
The Yamaha rider leaves the circuit known as “the cathedral of speed” trailing Andrea Dovizioso, who took fifth, by four points.
Rossi’s 10th win at the track lifted him into third, only three points away with defending champion Marc Marquez breathing down his neck, four points behind in the tightest championship battle since the current points system was introduced in 1993.
“This place is always special,” Rossi said. “I am so happy for me, for my team, because I’m back on the first place after one year, more or less.”
Rossi had to call on all his skill and strength in his 20th season to get the better of his compatriot Danilo Petrucci.
