Assen – Testing: Bagnaia confirms, Quartararo at the gates of Q2

Le MotoGP is back in Assen after three weeks of absence. The eighth round of the world championship is also the penultimate of this first part of the season, and will therefore be crucial for the championship leaders who wish to go on vacation with the confidence to lead the operations. The favorite for this event is Francesco Bagnaia. The Italian found the path to victory during the last two meetings to date. But also during the last two Assen GPs.

ALSO READ > The program for the 2024 MotoGP Grand Prix of Assen

Tests: 

• After setting the best time this morning, Francesco Bagnaia confirmed his good form in Assen, and quickly took control of the session thanks to a mark of 1:32.229. Jorge Martin woke up after a disappointing tenth place in the morning, and made his way to the front in the first minutes of driving, less than a tenth behind the Italian.
• At mid-session, three brands occupied the top positions. The two Ducatis are still in the lead, while Maverick Viñales and Brad Binder complete the top-4 for Aprilia and KTM.
• Marc Marquez, for his part, is struggling to get into the rhythm of the leaders. The Spaniard is having difficulty staying in the top-10. After 35 minutes on the track, the Gresini driver continues the timed laps, but is not fully confident on the handlebars of his Desmosedici GP23. Like the few slips he makes while trying to find the limit.
• During his fifteenth attempt, the multiple world champion finally found the solution. He placed himself in front of Martin in 1:32.107, two tenths behind Bagnaia who then moved in 1:31.901.

Marcdozzi is actually a thing 😂

Caption this (yes, also Davide's reaction) 👇#DutchGP 🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/9Iw8R4dQ48

- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) June 28, 2024

• The end of the session was worth experiencing, since the times recorded fell drastically. Pecco Bagnaia and Maverick Viñales got the ball rolling first with attempts in 1:31.340, and 1:31.561. Others followed, completely restarting the fight for direct access to Q2 between the top ten.
• Things accelerate again in the final moments, but multiple falls prevent the drivers from improving. The reigning world champion retains his first place ahead of the winner of the Grand Prix of the Americas. Alex Marquez completes the top-3.
• Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez also qualify for the second part of the qualifying session with the 5th and 6th ranks.
• Slight disappointment for fabio quartararo which cannot improve in the last moments. The Frenchman misses direct access to Q2 by 41 thousandths. However, he seemed to have the necessary weapons to slip into the top-10.

A big one for @AleixEspargaro at the very end of Practice! 😱#DutchGP 🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/6F1y1SED1Q

- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) June 28, 2024

• Q1 also promises to be contested. In addition to the Frenchman, the two VR46s, as well as Pedro Acosta, will try to secure one of the two available places tomorrow morning, after a poor performance in testing.
• See you tomorrow at 10:10 a.m. to follow the start of free practice 2. Qualifying for the MotoGP Assen Grand Prix will then be held.

MotoGP Assen – Test Ranking:

Ranking : MotoTiming