Moto2 Assen – P1: Probably the end for Joe Roberts

After three weeks of absence, Moto2 is back. The intermediate category drivers will perform this weekend in the Netherlands, on the Assen circuit. A fast route, often very popular with drivers. The gap between Sergio Garcia and Joe Roberts fell to seven points at Mugello, to the Spaniard's advantage. However, Ai Ogura should not be excluded from the equation. In good form during recent events, the Japanese remains on two consecutive podiums at Assen, and also holds the lap record.

Before we begin, here is a table which summarizes the known facts:

Moto2™ Netherlands, Assen	2023	2024
FP	1'36.865 Jake Dixon	1'36.458 Ai Ogura
P1	1'36.463 Jake Dixon
P2	1'36.000 Ai Ogura
Q1	1'36.860 Barry Baltus
Q2	1'36.247 Alonso Lopez
Course	Dixon, Ogura, Acosta (See here)
All time lap record	1'36.000 Ai Ogura (2023)

The first outings on the track did not result in any time, since a red flag was waved from the very first moments following a fall by Filip Salac at turn 7. The driver took time to get up, and left the track limping.

The session started again after a few minutes, and like this morning, the MT Helmets Msi and SpeedUp riders are leading the way. After the first attempts, Sergio Garcia set a time of 1:35.549, only a tenth slower than the reference time of the morning.

Barry Baltus also had a better first part of the session, and quickly placed himself in the top-14 by improving his time by four tenths compared to the FP.

Mt Helmets Msi riders seem determined to leave nothing to themselves. Ai Ogura put himself in front after fifteen minutes, with a mark in 1:36.378, before Sergio Garcia returned the ball to him with a lap in 1:36.195. The two men are thus getting a little closer to the Japanese lap record of 1:36.000 established in 2023.

A major incident occurred near the end of the session, as Joe Roberts suffered his second big crash of the weekend. This time the incident seems to have serious consequences, since the American fell on his collarbone. Remaining on the ground after his fall, the No. 16 quickly understood that he would have to give up the fight for the championship this weekend. An important piece of data for the championship as he is only seven points from the lead defended by Sergio Garcia.

Roberts was transported to the medical center for further examination, but the look on his face as he removed his helmet gives us an important clue as to what decision might be made.

The action on the track continues regardless, and the lap record finally falls. Two minutes from the end of the allotted time, Fermin Aldeguer becomes the first Moto2 rider to record a time under 36 minutes, and thus takes the lead in the ranking.

No one will be able to beat the Spaniard in front of the checkered flag, not even Ai Ogura who fails 72 thousandths from the lead, still beating his personal best.

Despite his misfortune, Joe Roberts finished third, ahead of Sergio Garcia and Tony Arbolino.

Barry Baltus improved at the end of the session, but not enough to climb into the top-14. The Belgian completed a lap in 1:36.930 which placed him in 17th position.

Moto2 Assen – P1 ranking

Classification credit: MotoGP.com