Moto3 Dutch TT, Qualifying: Piqueras Snatches Pole After Veijer Crashes

Moto3 returns this weekend after a three-week hiatus since the Moto3 Italian Grand Prix at Mugello. After consecutive victories since the Moto3 French Grand Prix, David Alonso leads the riders' standings. Collin Veijer was quickest in practice, but an accident ended his chance at the front and gave Angel Piqueras the chance.

Qualifying

Colin Weger looked certain to take pole position on his home turf at Assen, but a crash at the final corner saw the advantage shift to his rivals.

It was Angel Piqueras who had the biggest advantage, taking first place from Taiyo Furusato, while Veijer took third.

Ivan Ortola was fourth ahead of Ryusei Yamanaka and Stefano Nepa on the second row, while Jose Antonio Rueda led the third row from Adrian Fernandez and Joel Esteban. Luca Lunetta completed the top ten in qualifying, and will line up alongside David Munoz and Tatsuki Suzuki on the fourth row.

p. 2

Colin Viger was once again fastest in the second round of Moto3 at Assen, topping his second consecutive session and breaking the Moto3 lap record.

Round 2 was also an important session for Moto3, as Ivan Urtola became the first rider to lap the TT Assen circuit in under 100 seconds with a time of 1:39.790. Urtola was eventually beaten to third by Angel Piqueras and then Veijer, while David Munoz and David Alonso completed the top five. The top seven finished at 1:39, with Ryuusei Yamanaka and Joel Kelso also running under the 1:40 barrier.

Taio Furosato, Adrian Fernandez and Luca Lunetta completed the top ten, while Dani Holgado, Stefano Nypa, Scott Ogden and David Almansa secured the final positions in Q2.

p1

Colin Viger was fastest on Friday afternoon at his home race, the Moto3 Dutch TT. The #95 was some 0.3 seconds quicker than second-placed Ryusei Yamanaka in a dominant performance from the Dutchman, similar to the one shown on numerous occasions this year by championship leader David Alonso.

For Alonso himself, Friday in Assen was a struggle, as he finished ninth, more than 0.6 seconds behind Weger. It was undoubtedly his toughest Friday of the season.

Between him and Veijer were the aforementioned Yamanaka, the second MT Helmets MSI rider, Ivan Ortola, Adrian Fernandez, Jose Antonio Rueda, Angel Piquéras, Joel Kelso, and Luca Luneta, while behind Colombian Dani Holgado completed the top ten.

Tatsuki Suzuki, Scott Ogden, Jacob Rolston and Stefano Nepa took the final four provisional places in the second qualifying.

F B

Ivan Urtola was fastest in free practice for Moto3 racers at the Dutch MotoGP, finishing less than a tenth of a second ahead of his MT Helmets MSI teammate Ryuusei Yamanaka.

Urtola's time meant David Alonso was unable to finish Moto3 free practice as the fastest rider for the first time since the Portuguese Grand Prix more than three months ago.

This time, Alonso finished fourth behind the two MSI cars and the Leopard Racing Honda of Adrian Fernandez. Behind Alonso was José Antonio Rueda, rounding out the top five.

Scott Ogden was sixth, ahead of Stefano Nepa, Colin Viger, Joel Kelso and Joel Esteban, who completed the top ten.