Team Suzuki Press Office – June 29.
Alex Rins: 3rd – 1:32.458
Joan Mir: 5th – 1:33.085
• Alex Rins fights through Q1 to take front row.
• Joan Mir takes best ever qualifying position with 5th.
• Season best grid slots for Team SUZUKI ECSTAR.
A much brighter morning FP3 session at Assen circuit saw everyone trying to improve their lap times, something which didn’t actually happen until towards the end of the session. Alex Rins and Joan Mir quickly found themselves in the ‘knock out zone’ and pushed into Q1 despite setting strong lap times. Joan initially finished 11th, but when Rossi had a lap cancelled he was promoted back into the Top 10. Alex completed the session 11th.
With the pace and the track both hotting up in FP4, Alex and Joan set about perfecting their settings for qualifying, they closed the session in 3rd and 6th respectively.
Alex put together an excellent Q1 session, topping the session on his first flying lap and scarcely looking back. He continued to improve, bringing his time down to an impressive 1:32.710, topping the session, and graduating to Q2.
The Team SUZUKI ECSTAR pair were ready to attack in final qualifying, both staying close to the top of the time sheet throughout the 15-minute session. Feeling comfortable and quick, Alex took a front row with 3rd, while Joan achieved his best qualifying so far with 5th place.
These second and third row starts also mark the best qualifying for the team this season.
Davide Brivio – Team Manager:
“It’s been the best Saturday of the season. Alex did an incredible recovery, coming through Q1 and then getting on the front row. Joan was brilliant too, he went directly into Q2 and then managed to qualify in 5th. Having both riders in the Top 5 gives us a good start for tomorrow. They both have strong pace so let’s see how the race develops. Many thanks to all the team for the hard work.”
Alex Rins:
“Coming from Q1 was difficult, I had to give my absolute all to get into Q2. I feel quite strong, especially as I was using a used rear tyre and still set a fast lap. Tomorrow will be a tough race for sure, there will be a lot of riders close together I think, but I’m starting in a good position – on the front row. We’ve done a lot of good work so far this weekend and I’m ready to fight for a win.”
Joan Mir:
“I’m happy about today’s qualifying, the team and I have worked really well during the weekend and I’ve been getting faster and closer to the top guys. I made some mistakes today so I feel my lap time could have actually been better. This is my first time starting on the second row, so I’m really pleased about that; thanks to the team.”
GP of the Netherlands – Qualifying Classification:
1. Fabio QUARTARARO Petronas Yamaha SRT 1’32.017
2. Maverick VIÑALES Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP 1’32.157 0.140 / 0.140
3. Alex RINS Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 1’32.458 0.441 / 0.301
4. Marc MARQUEZ Repsol Honda Team 1’32.731 0.714 / 0.273
5. Joan MIR Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 1’33.085 1.068 / 0.354
6. Cal CRUTCHLOW LCR Honda CASTROL 1’33.228 1.211 / 0.143
7. Danilo PETRUCCI Ducati Team 1’33.282 1.265 / 0.054
8. Takaaki NAKAGAMI LCR Honda IDEMITSU 1’33.295 1.278 / 0.013
9. Franco MORBIDELLI Petronas Yamaha SRT 1’33.314 1.297 / 0.019
10. Jack MILLER Pramac Racing 1’33.323 1.306 / 0.009
11. Andrea DOVIZIOSO Ducati Team 1’33.692 1.675 / 0.369
12. Pol ESPARGARO Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1’33.762 1.745 / 0.070
13. Francesco BAGNAIA Pramac Racing 1’33.221 Q1
14. Valentino ROSSI Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP 1’33.466 Q1
15. Aleix ESPARGARO Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 1’33.547 Q1
16. Karel ABRAHAM Reale Avintia Racing 1’33.583 Q1
17. Miguel OLIVEIRA Red Bull KTM Tech 3 KTM 1’33.706 Q1
18. Johann ZARCO Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1’33.776 Q1
19. Hafizh SYAHRIN Red Bull KTM Tech 3 KTM 1’33.869 Q1
20. Andrea IANNONE Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 1’33.960 Q1
21. Tito RABAT Reale Avintia Racing 1’34.580 Q1
