Aleix Espargaro outgunned the MotoGP prototypes of Ducati pair Andrea Dovizioso and Nꦚicky Hayden plus Bradley Smith's Tech 3 Yamaha M1 to earn a magnificent eighth place in the Dutch MotoGP.

Espargaro has been by far the dominant f💧orce in the CRT class this season on the Power Electronics Aspar and set the tone for the weekend as he qualified in seventh place at Assen💞 - the best-ever result for a CRT machine.

Thꦛe Spanish riꦉder hailed the result as 'fabulous' as he continues to raise the level for the CRT class.

Espargaro, who finished 32 seconds down on race winner Valentino Rossi, said: "Today I feel really happy. I had a very nice race - probably my b♔est in MotoGP and certainly the best as a Power Electronics Aspar Team rider.

"From Thursday I 🅰knew that this circuit was favourable to my bike, so I focused on trying to find the fastest pace possi𒈔ble.

"At the start I stuck with the frontrunners for a few laps, which was an extrao༒rdinary feeling," he added.

"After [Stefanꦍ] Bradl moved three second✃s ahead, I managed to keep him from increasing the difference and I have battled with [Alvaro] Bautista.

"This eighth place, finishing ahead of the Ducati riders and Smith, is fabulo𝔉us."

"We are doing a great job and every Grand Prix brings with it a new ac💃hievement. I want to thank the team for making this dream possible."

Espargaro is currently tenth in the championship standings on 🌼44 points, three ahead of Bradley Smith anඣd 29 in front of nearest CRT rival and team-mate, Randy De Puniet.