Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Fabio Quartararo stunned the MotoGP field this weekend, extending his championship lead after flying to a sensational victory at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya by over six seconds.
After confirming a two-year contract extension with the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team on Thursday, Quartararo secured a commanding second win of the season on Sunday, taking the chequered flag 6.473 seconds clear of his nearest rival. 
Starting the 24-lap Grand Prix from the front row, Quartararo made the perfect start, taking the lead on the long run to Turn one. Avoiding the opening turn collision, the French rider settled into his rhythm and instantly began to gap his rivals. Sitting comfortably ahead at the mid-way stage, the rider from Nice continued to push on, all while managing the drop of his Michelin medium rear tyre in the soaring Spanish sun.
The 23-year-old controlled the race, setting consistent laps in the 1’40s, continued to grow the gap as he ran a lonely but faultless race. Quartararo crossed the line to take a career third GP victory in Barcelona, seeing him extend his series lead to 22 points. 
WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team’s Darryn Binder secured more points in his debut season with a strong 12th in Barcelona. The South African started the race from the eighth row and capitalised on the first lap collision, finishing the opening tour in 13th.
Working his way to the cusp of the top ten by lap 12, Binder found himself hard in battle with Jack Miller and his fellow rookie Remy Gardner. Working his way back up the order after relinquishing positions, the South African crossed the line in 12th place, narrowly missing out on top rookie and securing four World Championship points. 
It was a challenging weekend for Italian Franco Morbidelli, who after a promising start on Friday, fought back into the points in 13th. Losing time in the opening corner after avoiding a collision, the number 21 rider dropped to the back of the field. Determined to score a positive result for the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team, who shared the event title sponsor, he then began his comeback through the field.
Pushing his way through to 16th, Morbidelli quickly worked his way into the points, passing Andrea Dovizioso and Pol Espargaro on lap 13. Pushing on, the Italian was unable to make any further headway, crossing the line in 13th, securing three crucial championship points.
Andrea Dovizioso had a Catalan Grand Prix to forget after the Italian retired from the race on lap 16 due to an issue with the front tyre. 
A maximum 25 points sees Fabio Quartararo extend his championship lead to 22 points, with 147 points in total. Franco Morbidelli heads to Germany in 19th with 22 points, as Darryn Binder moves into the top 20 with ten points. Andrea Dovizioso lies 22nd in the overall standings.
After taking on the Catalan test on Monday, the MotoGP paddock will take a short break before heading to Sachsenring, Germany, for round ten at the shortest circuit on the calendar.
Fabio Quartararo – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP, 1st
"Being on the attack right from the start had to be the plan for today. Our pace was great, and I knew I had to manage my rear tyre, but I also knew that, if I got into first place, the race was going to be great. I braked super late in the first braking zone, and I thought that I was going to go super wide, but I managed to defend my position well. It was a really long race. I was leading from the first corner to the end, so this was a very constructive victory. Of course, I did feel a drop. I was pushing so hard in the opening laps, but I felt like I had more to give during this race. I had a bit of a margin left. I'm so happy to have this victory in the bag! I'm really satisfied. I'm feeling at my 100%, and I'm riding the bike like I was riding my scooter at home - it's mine! I love it, and I‘m enjoying it so much. I'm always improving on the bike and the really good thing is that I can think while riding and that is something really difficult when riding at that speed."
Darryn Binder – WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team, 12th
“It was a good race for me today. I knew that my Qualifying position yesterday didn’t really indicate what I was capable of. Anyway, I got off to quite a good start. I was a bit unsure during the race about how much to push in the beginning because I knew the tyre was going to wore off, but I wasn’t really sure about how much. I still had a really good race, I battled with some really big names that have achieved a lot, so I really enjoyed it a lot. Remy got the better of me on the last lap and I just didn’t have anything left to get back at him, but it was cool. Step by step I feel like I’m heading in the right direction. I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s test to try to improve on the soft tyre for Qualifying to get a better starting position, which should make my life easier on a Sunday.” 
