Unstoppable Canet ups the pace in FP3

The weather forecasts continued to be proven wrong in Assen as rain held off once again, giving the Moto3™ World Championship another productive session. Conditions were slightly cooler than on Friday but the majority of the field quickly found themselves setting laps in the 1’43s.

Aron Canet’s (Estrella Galicia 0,0) pace was formidable, the rookie setting back-to-back flyers in the final two minutes. The Moto3™ championship is usually one of the tightest but with some fresh rubber Canet managed a 1’42.051, 0.264s faster than Niccolo Antonelli (Ongetta-Rivacold) in second. Canet’s pace was clear in several previous races, but many ended unfortunately in the gravel. A first podium on Sunday isn’t out of the question based on his current speed.

A 1’42.315 saw Antonelli take second right at the end of the session, but unable to get within a quarter of a second of Canet. Fellow Italian Francesco Bagnaia (Aspar Mahindra Team Moto3) completed the top three and was the only other rider within half a second of Canet. Mahindra are yet to debut their new gearbox, no doubt Bagnaia will be even more deadly when it is introduced later in the season.

Andrea Migno (SKY Racing Team VR46) and Gabriel Rodrigo (RBA Racing Team) made surprise visits to the top five. Both showed well in Barcelona and are rapidly gaining confidence.

Fabio Quartararo (Leopard Racing), Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing Moto3), Nicolo Bulega (SKY Racing Team VR46), Romano Fenati (SKY Racing Team VR46) and championship leader Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) completed the top ten. Binder has struggled to crack the top three this weekend, off the pace compared to previous rounds where he was the dominant force.

Livio Loi (RW Racing GP) fell at Turn 10 as the flag came out but was unharmed.

Can Canet keep the pace up and grab pole for the Moto3™ race on Sunday? Find out at 12:35 Local Time when Qualifying begins.