PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team rider Fabio Quartararo has taken his fourth podium finish of the 2019 MotoGP season at the Gran Premio di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, just missing out on victory in a last-lap duel. There was more success for team-mate Franco Morbidelli at his home race as well, also matching his best-ever MotoGP finish in fifth at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.
Leading from the third lap until the final one, Quartararo gained even more valuable experience in his rookie season as he maintained the gap from Marquez for most of the race. Not quite able to outfox the World Champion on the final lap, Quartararo was nonetheless delighted to take home his second runner-up spot of the year and move up the ladder to seventh in the championship, as well as extending his lead in the rookie of the year battle and moving to the top of independent riders table.
Morbidelli also has plenty to celebrate after completing his 100th Grand Prix race in front of a home crowd, taking his second fifth place in succession as he continues to improve on the Yamaha YZR-M1. Looking to use the result as a spring-board for the rest of the season, he’s going into next weekend’s race full of confidence. Now tenth in the title race, his result combined with his team-mate's also helps the squad to stretch their lead in the independent team award.
The 2019 MotoGP championship continues next weekend at Motorland Aragon, kicking off on on Friday 20th September ahead of race day at the Gran Premio de Aragon on Sunday 22nd.
