Moto2 Netherlands Assen FP: Ai Ogura is there

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)

Before starting this first session of the weekend, let's remember the absence of Marc VDS driver Deniz Oncu, injured in his hand. He will be replaced both in the Netherlands and in Germany by Marcel Schrotter, who is making his comeback in Moto2.

The drivers set off, and two of the strong men at the start of the championship took direct control. Thus, Joe Roberts recorded a first best time in 1:37, ahead of Ai Ogura. However, things are moving quickly on the Assen circuit, and after ten minutes of driving, the drivers are already getting closer to the benchmark set in the first session last year by Jake Dixon (1:36.865).

Although he was on form, Roberts lost valuable time near the halfway mark, crashing at turn 9.

Fifteen minutes from the end of this first session of the Assen Grand Prix, Ai Ogura confirms his status as a driver to beat, and clocks an excellent time in 1:36.458. By continuing his momentum, the Japanese could well break the lap record of 1:36.000 that he set in 2023.

Behind, his teammate, Sergio Garcia, also prevented the competition by going under minute 37, but the n°3 also took off the track, managing to stop his machine in the gravel trap so as not to fall.

Discreet start to the session for the SpeedUP drivers, Alonso Lopez and Fermin Aldeguer, who are struggling to stay in the top-10. The future MotoGP rider manages as usual to increase the time in the final moments, and offers himself a place in the top-3 as soon as the last five minutes begin. His garage neighbor imitates him a few seconds later.

In front of the checkered flag, however, no one is able to worry Ai Ogura who begins the hostilities in the best possible way. MT Helmets MSI scores a double thanks to Sergio Garcia. Aron Canet prevents each of the SpeedUP drivers from claiming a top-3 finish by posting a time of 1:36.547 at the wire.

Joe Roberts' ninth place is certainly not representative of the American's form as he lost time on the track after his fall. Given the times lined up at the start of the session, we will certainly have to count on the latter to undermine his competitors during the weekend.

Jake Dixon, Tony Arbolino and Celestino Vietti each posted good performances during the last meetings, and confirmed their good form at Assen by placing in the top-10.

Barry Baltus evolves over the laps during this session, and gradually progresses in the ranking despite a discreet first outing on the track. The Belgian ranks 19th at the finish.

FP Moto2 standings for the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix in Assen:

Classification credit: MotoGP.com