Bagnaia has Assen track tattooed on his arm, ‘pleased to be back’

Francesco Bagnaia heads to a MotoGP circuit that’s not just been of success to him, but one that’s actually tattooed on his arm due to the affection for it.

Assen is the only circuit where Bagnaia won in both Moto3 and Moto2, which could therefore be the perfect setting for him to claim an elusive maiden MotoGP win. 

If he’s to do so, it will be at a circuit where Ducati’s record is less than stellar. The Italian manufacturer has compiled just one win in its history which came in 2008 courtesy of Casey Stoner. 

With Quartararo increasing his championship lead to 22 points over Johann Zarco in Germany - 32 back to Bagnaia, finishing ahead of the Frenchman will be crucial.

Yamaha will likely start the weekend as favorites given their recent record at Assen - four wins in the last eight years - Honda the other four, but with tricky weather forecasted, it could be what Bagnaia and Ducati need given the team’s overall result at Le Mans.

"I'm pleased to be back racing at Assen, a track where I won in both Moto3 and Moto2, and that I like so much so, that I've even got it tattooed on my arm," added Bagnaia. 

"It is a particular track, and the weather conditions here will definitely be a deciding factor this weekend. 

"On paper, we are not favourites, but we weren't last weekend in Germany either. If I hadn't started so far back in the race at Sachsenring, I could have been fighting for the podium for sure. 

"We will try again this weekend! We are halfway through the Championship, so it is important to get another good result before the summer break."