The Repsol rider just misses out on the podium on the final corner of the race. Sergio García is taken out of contention in a crash involving several riders, and Ryusei Yamanaka finishes ninth.
Lopez was just 89 thousands of a second off his first Grand Prix podium, having been at the front up until the final lap.
Sergio García was knocked down on Lap 4, when in eighth place. He had been consistent in practice and made a good start to the race.
Wildcard rider Ryusei Yamanaka took his first points in the World Championship, crossing the line ninth.
ALONSO LÓPEZ | 9th +0.235
“I had a good race. All weekend we had worked with the team -both Sergio [García] and I- and this made us both stronger. In the race I felt very comfortable, because the pace was not very fast, except on the first two laps. I have was often in the Top 3 and led for a while, but in the end we missed out on a podium, which hurts me a lot. These things happen, but we will learn from this and it will make us stronger at Assen. I want to thank the team for their work, because the bike really flew today. I’m looking forward to the next race, because I feel stronger all the time.”
SERGIO GARCÍA | DNF-
“It was a very constructive weekend, because in every session I was able to shoot alone and maintain a competitive pace. Also, I’m very happy with the work the team have been doing, because they gave me the chance to be up at the front. In the race I was in a good spot, fighting in the group, waiting to attack at the end. However, on the fourth lap, someone ran into me from behind. It’s the third time that this has happened to me already, but that’s racing.”
RYUSEI YAMANAKA | 9th+1.984
“I finished ninth and it’s the first time I’ve scored points in the World Championship, in only my third race, so I’m very happy. At the same time, I’m a little angry because I wasn’t able to fight as I would have liked. It was very difficult for me to overtake on the brakes. I have to continue studying this and work hard to improve both that and my tyre management. I’ve learnt many things, but I have to ride more and more. It was very important to stay in the front group, and it was incredible, but I would have liked to have been able to fight more. We know what we have to improve and we will work towards doing that at the coming races.”
