MotoGP Assen: Rossi takes pole as Lorenzo trails in eighth

Valentino Rossi took a popular pole position for the Dutch TT at Assen MotoGP on Friday, his first since last year’s MotoGP season finale in Valencia.

Rossi has finished on the podium in every race of the year but his qualifying performances have been anything but impressive, with not even a single front row start in seven races. That changed today in Assen when the Italian rider lapped the 4.545 km TT Circuit Assen in 1min. 32.627sec on his Yamaha, leaving his nearest competitor, Aleix Espargaro of Suzuki, two-tenths behind in second place.

Honda’s Marc Marquez qualified in third place, having set the initial benchmark in the session. The two-time defending MotoGP world champion will be looking for a reversal of fortunes, having switched back to the 2014 chassis.

Meanwhile, Dani Pedrosa secured his best qualifying result since returning from his injury at Le Mans, lapping a tenth behind teammate Marquez in fourth.

Pol Espargaro was the highest open class rider in fifth, ahead of factory Ducati rider Andrea Iannone and LCR Honda’s Cal Crutchlow.

The biggest disappointment of the session came from Jorge Lorenzo who qualified eighth on a day his teammate and championship rival Valentino Rossi lodged pole position. Lorenzo - who has upturned his poor start to the season with four successive victories - will have to make his way through the pack before having any chance of fighting Rossi.

MotoGP Assen: Qualifying Results (Top 10)

1. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 1m32.627s
2. Aleix Espargaro (Suzuk)i 1m32.858s +0.231s
3. Marc Marquez (Honda) 1m32.886s +0.259s3
4. Dani Pedrosa (Honda) 1m32.987s +0.360s
5. Pol Espargaro (Yamaha Tech 3) 1m33.013s+0.386s
6. Andrea Iannone (Ducati) 1m33.016s +0.389s
7. Cal Crutchlow  (LCR Honda) 1m33.028s +0.401s
8. Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) 1m33.042s +0.415s
9. Maverick Viñales (Suzuki) 1m33.076s +0.449s
10. Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) 1m33.112s +0.485s

Moto3: Bastianini takes consecutive poles

Enea Bastianini took his second consecutive pole in the Moto3 class, as he sought to decrease the gap to runaway championship leader Danny Kent in the standings.

The Gresini racing rider’s quickest time was three tenths quickest than Estrella Galicia’s Jorge Navarro, with Kent a further tenth behind in fourth place.

Francesco Bagnaia was the highest placed driver astride a Mahindra bike in 10th, having already showed a glimpse of his pace with a podium finish in France.

Moto3 qualifying: Results (Top 10)

1. Enea Bastianini Gresini Racing Team Moto3 (Honda) 1m41.283s
2. Jorge Navarro Estrella Galicia 0,0 (Honda) 1m41.618s
3. Karel Hanika Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 1m41.683s
4. Danny Kent Leopard Racing (Honda) 1m41.699s
5. Isaac Viñales Husqvarna Factory Laglisse (Husqvarna) 1m 41.794s
6. Miguel Oliveira Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) 1m41.805s
7. Fabio Quartararo Estrella Galicia 0,0 (Honda) 1m41.811s
8. Romano Fenati SKY Racing Team VR46 (KTM) 1m41.846s
9. Efren Vazquez Leopard Racing (Honda) 1m41.980s
10. Francesco Bagnaia MAPFRE Team MAHINDRA (Mahindra) 1m42.202s