MotoGP Assen Q1 LIVE: Brad Binder and Oliveira push KTM up and the rain is coming

Here we are at Q1 which launches the debates in Assen in these qualifications for the Dutch Grand Prix, eleventh round of the MotoGP championship. The last free practice session which fixed the numbers was the prerogative of Aleix Espargaró. The Aprilia rider was thus at the head of the combined timesheets during FP3, an eventful session, marked by many falls, especially in the final phase. This is also why many tours are canceled…

But it's good Aleix Espargaró who signed the best lap of the weekend in 1'32.164, ahead of fabio quartararo ahead of only two thousandths of a second. Alex Rins finished third, followed by Takaaki Nakagami et Marco Bezzecchi. Francis Bagnaia finished in P6 ahead Maverick Vinales. Jorge Martin, Johann Zarco who fell and Jack Miller complete the top ten. These drivers ensured direct entry into Q2.

Among others, Joan mir (P11), Fabio Di Giannantonio (P12), Franco Morbidelli (P13) who fell, Brad Binder (P14), Miguel Oliveira (P15), Enea Bastianini (P17) who fell and Stefan Bradl (P22) must however start in Q1. A show that will watch Pol Espargaro from his motorhome. The official Honda will not compete at Assen for the remainder of the weekend. After his fall at the Sachsenring, he complained of unbearable chest pain.

What will this 1-minute Q15 have in store for us at the end of which the two best drivers will exit to continue the adventure in Q2? Before answering this question, here is the table which summarizes the facts known so far.

Assen MotoGP™	2021 (New asphalt)	2022
FP1	1'33.072 Maverick Vinales (See here)	1'42.589 Jack Miller (See here)
FP2	1'33.241 Maverick Vinales (See here)	1'33.274 Francesco Bagnaia (See here)
FP3	1'32.336 Maverick Vinales (See here)	1'32.164 Aleix Espargaro (See here)
FP4	1'32.513 Fabio Quartararo (See here)	1'32.478 Fabio Quartararo
QP1	1'32.541 Johann Zarco (See here)	1'32.485 Brad Binder
QP2	1'31.814 Maverick Vinales (See here)
Warm Up	1'32.569 Maverick Vinales (See here)
Course	Quartararo, Vinales, Mir (See here)
All time lap record	1'31.814 Maverick Vinales (See here)

The first news of this exercise is an overcast sky with average temperatures, wind, and, of course, the risk of a downpour...

It's gone, but bastianini must leave his motorcycle on the side of the track as soon as he exits the stands...A few drops of rain begin to fall in Assen , there is a risk that the qualifications will be partially wet. In addition to the loss of time, the Gresini team mechanics in the pits had prepared the second bike with a wet setup , it is therefore necessary to completely change the configuration of the Ducati Bastianini will use shortly.

Another difficult Grand Prix for Honda is expected. Absent Pol Espargaro, it will be a HRC with three points but all far from the podium. Stefan Bradl is very critical of the RC213V: “ Right now, Honda has a lot of questions to ask itself. We need to think about where and how we can improve, also in terms of communication between the team and the drivers ».

The forecast is for rain in a few minutes, it will be qualifying on a partially wet track. The first reference goes to Olive tree in 1'32.550. His second is his teammate Brad Binder. Mir is third.

bastianini returns to the track. Olive tree placed in front in 1'32″5. Everyone returns to the pits to change tires, only Enea on track. TAll the drivers are in the pits to change the tires seeing the arrival of the rain. It is raining in sector 3 of the route.

There are 5 minutes left and Mir fall at turn 5. The driver gets up, but his Suzuki don't leave again. The Spaniard is currently 3rd. He still manages to get back on the track.

Brad Binder clocks a 1'32.485 and is ahead Olive tree. The two official KTMs are in Q2. bastianini throws in the towel.

Under the checkered flag, the two KTMs pass, Marini is the first eliminated in front Mir et Di Giannontonio who is still ahead of his teammate bastianini sixth.

MotoGP Assen Q1: times