Moto3 Netherlands Assen Qualifying: Demonstration by David Muñoz, Daniel Holgado last on the grid!

Funny weekend in Moto3 on the legendary Assen circuit. It's certain: David Muñoz will start from pole position, but before that, we had many questions. If Jaume Masiá (Honda Leopard Racing) had taken the best of the field with the best time of the first three practice sessions, the other tenors in the category experienced all the difficulties in the world getting into shape. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3), leader of the world championship, suffered two falls on Friday and will start dead last. Diogo Moreira (KTM MT Helmets MSi) and Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo), less than a week after his first career victory at the Sachsenring, also fell. Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) had also crashed, like all the drivers mentioned above.

In terms of surprises, we had to count on Stefano Nepa (KTM Angeluss MTA Team), first of the P3 and well placed during each session. Relive, with us, the highlights of these qualifications.

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	1'41.579 Jaume Masia
P3	1'41.526 Izan Guevara	1'41.713 Stefano Nepa
QP1	1'41.633 Daniel Holgado	1'42.036 Taiyo Furusato
QP2	1'41.296 Ayumu Sasaki	1'41.181 David Munoz
warm up	1'42.162 Daniel Holgado	XXXXXXX
Course	Sasaki, Guevara, Garcia (See here)
All time lap record	1'41.194 Jeremy Alcoba (2021)	1'41.181 David Muñoz (2023)

 

The weather is still so good, and we're not going to complain about it. As said previously, this Q1 contains talent, a lot of talent. Finally, we have confirmation for Adrian Fernandez (Honda Leopard Racing), replacing Tatsuki suzuki : the Spaniard receives a double long lap for having caused the fall of Philip Farioli (Red Bull KTM Tech3) this morning during P3. Moreover, the Italian is back after being evacuated on a stretcher earlier.

 

 

Everyone follows one another in the first flying lap, and the first salvo is dominated by Ivan Ortolá (KTM Angeluss MTA Team), which also avoids numerous time cancellations. Smoke, at the very least, appears to be coming from the latter's KTM. Maybe a mechanical problem? The Spaniard returns to the pits. These few lost minutes could work against him in the event of a major improvement in the competition. Apparently it is an oil filter problem. At the same time, Deniz Oncu grabs first place without asking for the rest.

 

 

All the pilots enter at the same time, and exit together. Just one more lap to make the difference, and hope to be one of the four drivers selected to progress to Q2. All improve in the first sector, whileIvan Ortolá will not leave! His time probably won't be enough for him.

Finally, the best time is to be attributed to Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia)! Adrian Fernandez is second in front Deniz Öncü, while the last qualifier is none other than Kaito Toba (Honda Sic58 Squadra Corse) ! Unthinkable! Daniel Holgado is last on the grid after an error. Ivan Ortolá et Diogo Moreira are also eliminated now. What a turnaround in Moto3.

 

 

Results from Q1 of the Moto3 Dutch Grand Prix at TT Assen:

 

Let's go for Q2 towards Assen. The favorite is none other than Jaume MasiaMore Ayumu Sasaki, resplendent in this exercise in 2023, is also to be taken into consideration. However, the inevitable Deniz Oncu takes the lead at the end of his first flying lap. David Alonso (Gaviota GasGas Aspar Moto3) recorded a fall, he who was on the podium in Jerez.

 

 

Jaume Masia et Deniz Oncu ride together, but they get in each other's way. Even if the Turk is under 1'42, the times are relatively slow compared to the track record set in 2021 by Jeremy Alcoba; a small 1'41. The chances that the second salvo will determine the poleman are more than high.

Let's not speak too quickly! Ayumu Sasaki, in the wake of his teammate Collin Veijer, improves by almost half a second. What a trick! Moreover, Veijer, local to the stage, is fourth thanks to this effort.

 

 

In the penultimate lap, David Muñoz (KTM Boé Motorsports) panics the clock with the track record and takes the lead, with an absolutely untouchable lap. He took the first pole position of his career at Assen. In the last loop, no one can come close to him. Incredible comeback after his Jerez injury! Joel Kelso (CFMoto Racing Prüstel GP) is second, while Riccardo Rossi (Honda Sic58 Squadra Corsica) is third. The main disappointment is undoubtedly the eighth place of Jaume Masia, who had dominated the weekend so far.

 

 

Will we see a feat similar to that achieved by Brad Binder in Jerez in 2016 from Daniel Holgado, namely leaving last? Answer tomorrow, at 11:40 a.m.!

 

Results from Q2 of the Moto3 Dutch Grand Prix at TT Assen:

 

Credit Ranking: MotoGP.com

Cover photo: Boé Motorsports