Moto2 Assen J3: How far will rookie Raúl Fernández go as he wins his third victory of the season?

Raul Fernandez, the rookie of the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 team wins at Assen his 3rd victory of the season during the fourth double for Aki Ajo's team in the intermediate category in 2021.

Raul Fernandez concluded a flawless weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix by winning from pole position, also setting the fastest lap in the race. Red Bull KTM Team rider Ajo continues his brilliant run of results in his first season in Moto2, with his third victory of 2021, the fifth of his career.

The Madrilenian started the Dutch Grand Prix from pole position, but didn't have a very good start and found himself 4th on the first lap, behind Arón Canet, Sam Lowes and his teammate Remy gardner. Worse, he was then overtaken by Ai Ogura et Augusto Fernandez, then, while trying to pass them again, he widened and fell back to 9th position on the second lap.

From there, he began to increase his pace and chase the leading group. Showing great calm and great intelligence, Raul Fern á ndez took the lead on lap 16 and looked to escape, crossing the line a second ahead of his Australian teammate.

Remy gardner remains the leader of the Moto2 world championship with 184 points. Raul Fernandez is second with 153.

Aki Ajo, team manager: “I I'm very happy with our performance in Moto2 today. I wasn't expecting a race like this, as our goal was to finish the weekend strong and get as many points as possible with both drivers to start the second part of the season in a good position. Of course, coming first and second is fantastic, and to do it for the fourth time this year is an incredible achievement. We have to enjoy the moment and make the most of the summer break but, on the other hand, we have to keep working and maintain our philosophy, which is to keep improving every day. »

Raul Fernandez : " Aki [Ajo] taught me to stay calm in moments like the ones I experienced today at the start of the race. The first few rounds were difficult, because my plans for this competition were different: Try to push from the start. However, we managed to stay focused and regain positions little by little. I felt very comfortable at the front of the leading group and I pushed hard. We had a great end to the Grand Prix and that was the key to getting this victory. »

The Red Bull KTM Ajo team will now enjoy a summer break before the Styrian Grand Prix, which will take place in Austria from August 6-8, but Raul Fernandez remains in the spotlight, as a possible future MotoGP rider. First of all requested by Yamaha, KTM had to step into the Dorna Sports niche to try to keep it for another year.

Will the Spaniard know an additional season in Moto2 ou a direct move to MotoGP at KTM Tech3 Factory Racing ?
With departure recorded Maverick Vinales at the end of the season, will Yamaha come back to fill one of the two places at Petronas?

So many questions whose answers, official or not, could be available by August...