Positive Sprint for Moreira at Assen
TT Circuit AssenDutchGP Sprint race ends with Diogo Moreira 11th and Luca Marini 12th
Saturday brought new challenges for Honda's MotoGP riders as the 4.5-kilometre-long TT Circuit Assen continued to evolve and change with the intense weather conditions.
After a tough qualifying session in which Diogo Moreira suffered a crash that prevented him from putting together his best lap, the Brazilian started the Sprint from 14th on the grid. He was able to make a good start and moved into the top-ten. While managing tyre wear, avoiding mistakes and without the ideal feeling on the bike, the Pro Honda LCR rider handled the situation well and crossed the line in 11th place.
Struggling to make the most of the soft rear in Q1, Luca Marini was only able to earn 17th on the grid but a strong start, even without the front hole shot device, saw him gain three places almost immediately as he tagged onto the back of a big group fighting for the top ten. The majority of the race would be spent hunting down Moreira, the experienced Italian aiming to walk away as the top Honda rider after an early fall from his teammate. 1.1 seconds back on the Brazilian, Marini earned 12th place in the Sprint and collected important data for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Castrol Honda LCR replacement rider Cal Crutchlow had a good start from 21st on the grid and was determined to push throughout the Sprint at this demanding circuit. He was able to overtake some rivals and remained in the fight during the opening laps. As the race progressed, tyre wear and high temperatures made things difficult but the Brit avoided mistakes and crossed the line in 19th place.
Intense overnight work paid off for Joan Mir as the 2020 World Champion rocketed through Q1, setting a time more than half a second quicker than his Friday best almost immediately. With a top 12 spot guaranteed, the #36 left it late to push with a quick lap and would capture tenth on the grid with a best lap of 1’31.504 in Q2. Full of confidence, he made an aggressive start, but Mir’s Sprint would last just four corners as he fell on lap one, unharmed but collecting no additional data for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Sunday’s 26-lap Dutch Grand Prix is scheduled to start at 14:00 Local Time, with a tightly fought grid and several big names in the middle of the pack it is looking like a classic race at MotoGP’s most historic track. Predicted overnight storms could throw a spanner into the works.
I’m fine after this morning’s crash. The second tyre during qualifying was difficult to manage. Then the Sprint wasn’t too bad. Tomorrow’s race will be demanding because we’re struggling a bit with our bike, and it’s difficult to maintain the pace. We’ll analyse everything and see if we can improve a few details, as it’s going to be a long race.
I’m fine after this morning’s crash. The second tyre during qualifying was difficult to manage. Then the Sprint wasn’t too bad. Tomorrow’s race will be demanding because we’re struggling a bit with our bike, and it’s difficult to maintain the pace. We’ll analyse everything and see if we can improve a few details, as it’s going to be a long race.
The heat was not so bad, a bit worse when you're following other riders for a whole Sprint - still not as intense as when we are in places like Indonesia. It was a race quite like what we were expecting as we are struggling a little bit everywhere this weekend. We are working hard to try and improve but we are mostly in a defensive mode and more than the top ten tomorrow will be very good. The first lap tomorrow will be very important because then it becomes complicated to overtake.
The heat was not so bad, a bit worse when you're following other riders for a whole Sprint - still not as intense as when we are in places like Indonesia. It was a race quite like what we were expecting as we are struggling a little bit everywhere this weekend. We are working hard to try and improve but we are mostly in a defensive mode and more than the top ten tomorrow will be very good. The first lap tomorrow will be very important because then it becomes complicated to overtake.
I struggled a bit today, but overall I’m improving. The changes of direction are really demanding, but I enjoyed the race because I was able to battle with other riders. I had to ride very defensively, which was a bit different. Let’s see how it goes tomorrow. We’re doing a good job and everyone is happy.
I struggled a bit today, but overall I’m improving. The changes of direction are really demanding, but I enjoyed the race because I was able to battle with other riders. I had to ride very defensively, which was a bit different. Let’s see how it goes tomorrow. We’re doing a good job and everyone is happy.
I made a good start, even without the front device, for sure we can improve it further and I think now the rider can make more of a difference. Then I tried to go for a wider line to start overtaking, but this move kept me wide in that tight opening section and I think it was a bit dirty so I slipped off. A real shame because I think we could have had a good battle at the very least. I wasn’t expecting this crash but it’s something that can happen, the good thing is that we walk away without any damage to myself.
I made a good start, even without the front device, for sure we can improve it further and I think now the rider can make more of a difference. Then I tried to go for a wider line to start overtaking, but this move kept me wide in that tight opening section and I think it was a bit dirty so I slipped off. A real shame because I think we could have had a good battle at the very least. I wasn’t expecting this crash but it’s something that can happen, the good thing is that we walk away without any damage to myself.
