Petronas Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo has admitted that by the time eventual Assen MotoGP winner Maverick Vinales passed him on lap 15, he was physically destroyed.

The Frenchman is still recovering from arm pump surgery and Assen is one of the most demanding tracks on the calendar so after repeatedly waking up in pain on Saturday night, Quartararo didn't even think he would be able to finish, let alone pick up a podium.

“This morning I said for sure I can't finish the race, because this morning – also last night – I was waking up from the pain,” Quartararo said.

This afternoon I took some pills and it was much better for the race, but when Maverick overtook me I was already destroyed.

“Fortunately our tyres were still perfect. It's OK, because we finished on the podium, learned many things today and can't wait to be in Germany.

“Yesterday we took out a lot of liquid from the arm, a lot pain. I thought in Barcelona I will arrive here 100 per cent for sure, but when I made my first lap I was not even 90 per cent.”