Foggia Wins Again To Advance in Moto3 Title Battle
TT Circuit AssenDennis Foggia (Leopard Racing Honda NSF250RW) won his second Moto3 victory of 2021 at Assen today, coming out on top at the end of an intense 22-lap battle for victory.
Foggia took the chequered flag 0.078 seconds in front of his closest rival, with the three podium finishers separated by two tenths of a second – a typical Moto3 contest!
This was the 20-year-old Italian’s second victory and third podium in the last four races, proving how well he is gelling with his 2021 NSF250RW, which played a huge part in today’s success. Foggia had a vital speed advantage on Assen’s two straights, which helped him to keep his rivals at bay. The win moved him to third overall in the championship standings.
Several other Honda riders also played a leading role in the race, with all but three of the top ten finishers riding NSF250RW.
Darryn Binder (Petronas Sprinta Racing Honda NSF250RW) crossed the line in fourth place but the 23-year-old South African was demoted three places for exceeding track limits on the final lap. That promoted 23-year-old Japanese rider Tatsuki Suzuki (Sic58 Squadra Corse Honda NSF250RW) to fifth and 26-year-old Briton John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing Honda NSF250RW) to sixth.
Gabriel Rodrigo (Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3 Honda NSF250RW), Xavier Artigas (Leopard Racing Honda NSF250RW) and pole-position starter Jeremy Alcoba (Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3 Honda NSF250RW) completed the top ten.
Yuki Kunii (Honda Team Asia Honda NSF250RW) finished the race in 23rd position, after losing time taking a ride-through penalty, imposed for a rules infringement during yesterday’s Q1 qualifying session. The 18-year-old from Setagaya had hoped for his first points since the Catalan GP earlier this month but he found his first time at Assen on a Moto3 bike more complicated than expected.
This weekend Andi Farid Izdihar (Honda Team Asia Honda NSF250RW) made his first visit to Assen, one of Grand Prix racing’s most challenging and complicated racetracks. And like his team-mate he had to take a penalty for a Q1 infringement, so the 23-year-old Indonesian’s race was compromised in the same way.
For the fourth race weekend of 2021 Kunii and Izdihar were joined by Takuma Matsuyama (Honda Team Asia Honda NSF250RW), who usually races in the CEV Junior World Championship. The 16-year-old from Chiba had a difficult race – he too had incurred the same penalty – to 25th place. The team trio crossed the line in close formation, covered by less than four tenths of a second.
The Moto3 grid now enjoys a five-week mid-season break, with no racing until the Styrian and Austrian GPs in August. Matsuyama, however, is back to work next weekend at Portimao, Portugal, in the CEV Junior World Championship.
This victory feels amazing. I felt great with the bike and it’s an incredible feeling. I’ve been consistent the whole weekend and our job has paid off. Many thanks to my family, my team, and my sponsors. I can’t wait to start the second part of the season!
First of all, we had a penalty related to Q1. My start was quite good. I tried to stay in the group, but I couldn't and even less after the ride-through. Honestly, I didn’t have the pace and I’ve struggled on this track all weekend. I must analyse what happens with this track and why I couldn’t be fast. The summer break will help me to change my mindset.
My final position in the race isn’t good. It was my first time in Assen and I struggled a lot during the weekend. I tried to adapt and understand the track, but I couldn’t. This race has been one of the most difficult of the year. We still have half the season ahead and now the summer break to refresh my mind, to return with a strong mentality and be more ready.
This is my fourth race in World Championship after Le Mans, Catalunya and Mugello. And maybe it has been the most difficult. In addition I had several penalties. For me, now it's time to start to think about my next race, the CEV Junior World Championship next weekend in Portimao.
