A slow qualifying session sees the improvements of one team, while another continues to dominate the field.
Q1
With no rain in sight, the riders head out for the first qualifying session of the day.
The surprising faces in Moto2 would be the Petronas Sprinta Team of Jake Dixon and Xavi Vierge, last week podium placer Aaron Canet and Stefano Manzi. The Sprinta riders are the pair to look out for- they have had impressive pace all weekend. Another rider to look out for would be Bo Bendsneyder, who is a frequenter in Q1, but does tend to make his way up to Q2.
The first times roll in with Canet taking the first position, followed by: Bendsneyder, Nicolo Bulega, and Barry Baltus.
There are riders who are struggling a lot at the Dutch TT. Joe Roberts, who has yet to set a time in Q1, cannot seem to find grip on the Italtrans bike. Hector Garzo, who seemed to be improving in the past few races, is the slowest in the session, but does manage to get himself into fourth. With five minutes of the session left, though, it’s hard to say that it will be the final result. He’s going to have to pull something from within to keep himself in the top four.
With only four minutes left, Albert Arenas and Hafizh Syahrin are barely beginning to put their times in. Despite this, Arenas’ time is showing the possible threat for a top four, which would push Garzo out.
The two riders we expected to move up, the Petronas Sprinta boys, have yet to show their cards in Assen. It’s clear that they have the time and speed, but they need to push harder in order make a dent in Moto2. Qualifying is a vital part of how well a rider can perform. Considering the fact that the KTM’s tend to get away at the front right off the start/finish line.
The riders that will move up to Q2 are Bendsneyder, Canet, Arenas, and Garzo.
Q2
Something to note is that, for the first time in the 2021 season, the SAG Team of Thomas Luthi and Bo Bendsneyder are both in the Q2 session. It is a much needed change to the SAG Team
On the other hand, despite the outstanding start to the season, Sam Lowes is struggling. He is currently fourth in the championship. In comparison to the absolute domination of the KTM’s, it may not be enough.
As the first set of times come in, Raul Fernandez, Lowes and Canet are in the top three. It’s hardly a surprise that there is a KTM in the top position.
While it is a slower session than what we are used to, there is still some drama when it comes to cruising.
Marcel Schrotter has had some words for a couple of riders. Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio Di Giannantonio for cruising on the racing line. With the strict rules in Moto3, it’s hard to believe that Racing Direction won’t have a lot to say about the incidents. While they may not give them a long lap penalty, as they have no problem doing in Moto3, the riders may be spoken too.
Remy Gardner is currently in seventh. With how well he has done this season, it’s hard to think that he won’t be on the front row. This could be the advantage that R. Fernandez needs to close the gap in the championship.
Whether or not he places well, R. Fernandez is responding to his hiccup last weekend. He is in pole position with quite the gap between himself and the man in second. Another team that has responded to criticism and hardships would be the Marc VDS boys. A. Fernandez qualified for 3rd while Lowes is just behind him. A. Fernandez’s time was cancelled due to a yellow flag infringement.
A slow Moto2 qualifying session ends with R. Fernandez in pole, followed by teammate Gardner and Lowes.
Who will take the win? Will we have another with Gardner on top, or will a new winner peak through?
Tune in tomorrow to find out.
