- 2017-06-25
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Donate to support families affected by the crisis in Ukraine ➔ MotoGP Assen: Johann Zarco Takes Maiden Pole Position for Tech3
The Round 8 on MotoGP 2017, Assen Grand Prix Qualifying ran at TT Circuit Assen on June 24. Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) took his maiden MotoGP pole position in wet-weather condition at Assen. It marks the satellite Tech3 outfit's first pole since Cal Crutchlow topped qualifying at Brno in 2013.
The 2nd podtion was Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) behind Zarco by 0.065s. Danilo Petrucci (Octo Pramac Racing) will start 3rd position tomorrow.
Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), Scott Redding (Octo Pramac Racing) and Jonas Folger (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) will start on the 2nd row.
Last year winner Jack Miller (Estrella Galicia) was 13th and Current World Champion Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) missed out on a Q2 berth, was 21st.
Johann Zarco (P1):
“I’m so happy to be on pole because Saturday is a rainy day but I was feeling good, getting references and confidence on the bike. I still needed to understand the track. I was quite ok then in FP4 it was dry but using wet tyres, and we almost thought we could put on slicks, but then it rained again. I think this extra information helped me to manage qualifying well. In only 15 minutes the idea was to stay on track because as we saw in Q1 that staying out meant people were improving lap by lap. Then I was thinking it was a shame because we could have changed tyres but didn’t have time…but it was conditions I like, dry conditions and wet tyres. I think the others were using too much tyre but I was ok and it was the time to do it. I think I’ll try for another podium. I learned a lot from Barcelona and I said that starting from the first two rows gives us chance to fight for the podium, so from pole is even better! I’m enjoying it and it’s just fantastic…I struggled in Barcelona in practice when I crashed and I was more like a rookie but then in the race I could do a good job. Our target is to be on the podium and one day fight for victories, so starting my rookie season like this it’s just fantastic to be able to fix targets for next season.”
Marc Marquez (P2):
“Today was one of those days you have to be smart and be there. I mean you need to be on the front row or second row, not lose too many positions in qualifying and start well tomorrow. We didn’t do anything special but we’re there and that’s important. It was important for us to start in front, as a minimum because it looks like the Yamahas have good pace. I don’t feel so bad in the dry either, so in both conditions I feel ready. Zarco is a surprise but not a big surprise, he’s a very good rider and was close to the front in Le Mans. So I look forward to following him tomorrow and trying to keep up…”
Danilo Petrucci (P3):
“I’m very happy. Just a few months ago I couldn’t imagine I could be angry about a front row! But I was on top all the session until the moment that counts most at the chequered flag...and I was quite surprised. I checked the classification before the last lap but then I made a mistake because I was pushing too hard. I crossed the line and saw I was third I thought ‘no…it must be a mistake!’ But this is my second front row, almost third because I had a second fastest lap cancelled at Mugello…I just hope the race doesn’t finish like Barcelona. I need to stay calm. I don’t know what weather would be better tomorrow but I think I hope dry – maybe I don’t have podium pace but I could fight for the top five.”
Motul TT Assen MotoGP Qualifying Results:- Johann Zarco / Monster Yamaha Tech 3 / 1'46.141s
- Marc Marquez / Repsol Honda Team / 1'46.206s
- Danilo Petrucci / Octo Pramac Racing / 1'46.526s
- Valentino Rossi / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / 1'46.705s
- Scott Redding / Octo Pramac Racing / 1'47.574s
- Jonas Folger / Monster Yamaha Tech 3 / 1'47.663s
- Alvaro Bautista / Pull&Bear Aspar Team / 1'47.812s
- Cal Crutchlow / LCR Honda / 1'48.042s
- Andrea Dovizioso / Ducati Team / 1'48.079s
- Sam Lowes / Factory Aprilia Gresini / 1'48.128s
- Maverick Viñales / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / 1'48.266s
- Dani Pedrosa / Repsol Honda Team / 1'49.623s
- Jack Miller / strella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS / 1'47.217s
- Loris Baz / Reale Avintia Racing / 1'47.234s
- Aleix Espargaro / Factory Aprilia Gresini / 1'47.277s
- Andrea Iannone / Team Suzuki Ecstar / 1'47.649s
- Alex Rins / Team Suzuki Ecstar / 1'47.804s
- Karel Abraham / Pull&Bear Aspar Team / 1'47.947s
- Pol Espargaro / Red Bull KTM Factory Racing / 1'47.957s
- Hector Barbera / Reale Avintia Racing / 1'48.080s
- Jorge Lorenzo / Ducati Team (Desmosedici / 1'48.219s
- Bradley Smith / Red Bull KTM Factory Racing / 1'48.448s
- Tito Rabat / Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS / 1'48.700s
All photos copyright by MotoGP.- source : MotoGP
