Like their older brothers from MotoGP, the pilots of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cupincluding the French Guillem Planques et David DaCosta are currently at Assen for their fourth round of the 2023 season, after Jerez, Le Mans and Mugello.
As always in this parallel category to MotoJunior To access the Grand Prix, each round consists of two races, one on Saturday and one on Sunday.
However, Assen has several unique features: firstly, it is the turning point of the season, after Saturday's race; secondly, the statistics of the venue are unique, being the only place where a driver, in this case Can Öncü in 2017 and 2018, achieved two doubles.
Moreover, out of the twelve possible doubles, there are eight doubles in Assen, and on six occasions, the Dutch winner of the double went on to win the Cup.
Well, we're not there yet, but today Guillem Planques achieved his first pole position, and will therefore start first in the 15-lap race tomorrow at 17 p.m.
So, nothing is guaranteed for the 18-year-old from Lyon, as we know the furious pack racing that characterizes this junior formula, but this brilliant qualification follows a podium finish at Mugello, after a difficult start to the season. This should nevertheless boost the confidence of number 24, who, for the moment, sits just ahead of his compatriot. David DaCosta, in 14th place in the overall standings.
From this morning, the two Frenchmen felt comfortable on the fast Assen circuit. Guillem Planques achieving the 2nd fastest time ahead David DaCosta in FP1.
FP2 was a bit more complicated, Guillem Planques achieving the 7th fastest time, David DaCosta the 11th.
The rest is history, with pole position for the first, 15th place for the second.
To be continued tomorrow…
Rookies Cup Planques
