Moto3 Netherlands Assen P1: Jaume Masiá is already distinguishing himself, many falls among the favorites!

Who will succeed Ayumu Sasaki at the TT Assen in Moto3? Last year, the Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP driver won at the Cathedral Choir, a circuit used since 1949. Like every year, there are many favorites. First, Ayumu Sasaki himself can reiterate; on pole with more than a second ahead at the Sachsenring, his speed over a lap is lightning this season. Already four pole positions in seven races for the Japanese, but no victory. That said, it could well have arrived in Germany if not for Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo), who took his first career success in the final corner. Without a doubt, Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3), three-time winner and current world championship leader, is definitely one of the men to watch.

Be careful not to forget Jaume Masia (Honda Leopard Racing), discreet Holgado dolphin, as well asIvan Ortolá (KTM Angeluss MTA Team), author of two magnificent performances in Austin and Jerez. In short, anything is possible! 

Before you know it, here is the table that summarizes the facts known so far.

Assen Moto3™	2022	2023
P1	1'52.406 David Munoz	1'41.667 Jaume Masia
P2	1'49.491 David Munoz
P3	1'41.526 Izan Guevara
QP1	1'41.633 Daniel Holgado
QP2	1'41.296 Ayumu Sasaki
warm up	1'42.162 Daniel Holgado	XXXXXXX
Course	Sasaki, Guevara, Garcia (See here)
All time lap record	1'41.194 Jeremy Alcoba (2021)

 

Hostilities are launched under bright sunshine in Assen, which will allow all the teams to test calmly. Barely had the session started when we had a very strange accident; Ryusei Yamanaka (Gaviota GasGas Aspar Moto3) is on the ground, in the pitlane! What happened ? In fact, the Japanese pilot simply entered Deniz Oncu, who came out in front of him. This causes both drivers to return, not the best way to start the weekend.

 

 

Joel Kelso (CFMoto Racing Prüstel GP) is the first to record a significant time, in 1'43.438. Quickly, Kaito Toba (Honda Sic58 Squadra Corsica) recorded a lap in 1'42, the best time. Of course, this is simply a free practice session and the time is not necessarily chased by the favorites.

Huge fall for Ivan Ortolá ! The double Moto3 winner in 2023 flies inside the track, an unusual occurrence, when he had just passed a curb still wet from the morning dew. The Spaniard is stunned, but gets up on his own. He nevertheless returned to the medical center for further checks. Be careful not to get trapped from P1.

 

 

Jaume Masia could have also flown into the Dutch skies, but the pilot Honda Leopard Racing A huge rescue comes to us! What dexterity. Waiting for, Deniz Oncu, back on track after his strange incident, took the best time of the session.

 

 

This is another favorite that gets tricked by Assen Cathedral! In the double left preceding the last chicane, Daniel Holgado loses the front at very high speed. A little stunned, the leader of the world championship struggled to get up. But what a fall! Remember that it has not yet fallen on Sunday this season.

 

 

Xavi Artigas (CFMoto Racing Prüstel GP), little in sight since the start of the season given its potential, takes first place in its turn. Author of a podium in 2023 in the USA, he must move to another dimension now if he wishes to return to the race for the podium. Kaito Toba, fast at the start of the session, fell in turn. The problem is that the Assen circuit is very fast, everywhere. Each fall is dangerous, or at best, heavily damages the machines.

Three minutes from time, the situation gets out of hand. Xavi Artigas, in turn, falls at very high speed, and rolls in the gravel for several tens of meters. Let's hope he's not injured. Double penalty for the Spaniard, since Stefano Nepa (KTM Angeluss MTA Team) snatches his position in the general classification.

Finally, it is Jaume Masia who finished in the lead after setting the best time on the last lap. Stefano Nepa is second, and Romano Fenati (Honda Snipers Team) finished third, after a good effort at the end of the session.

 

 

Results from P1 of the Moto3 Grand Prix at TT Assen:

 

Moto3 Assen Ranking Credit: MotoGP.com

Cover photo: Leopard Racing