Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) is earning a reputation for raw speed in 2017 as the polesetter in all but two of the races so far this season – and the Motul TT Assen is not one of the exceptions. The Spaniard sliced through the difficult, wet conditions of qualifying on a final push to flatten the field by eight tenths, breaking some home hearts as he pushed Bo Bendsneyder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) off provisional pole. Nevertheless, the Dutchman flew and will start second at his home race after an impressive day of track action on Saturday. Completing the front row is Sky Racing Team VR46 rider Nicolo Bulega, who proved his huge progress in the rain once again.
Nakarin Atiratphuvapat (Honda Team Asia) was another star performer in both FP3 and qualifying, and the Thai rider secured his best ever starting position as he heads the second row. CIP rider Marco Bezzechi was another who impressed in P5, with Aron Canet (Estrella Galicia 0,0) completing the second row in sixth.
There were a number of crashes in the session including an out of character off for Championship leader Joan Mir (Leopard Racing) that leaves the Mallorcan lining up in P7, ahead of rookie Tony Arbolino (SIC58 Squadra Corse) putting in a stunner in eighth. Manuel Pagliani (CIP) completes row three – another personal best in a shuffled top ten - ahead of second SIC58 Sqaudra Corse rider Tatsuki Suzuki, whose FP3 pace remained in qualifying to lock out the top ten.
Malaysian Adam Norrodin (SIC Racing Team), QP crasher Gabriel Rodrigo (RBA BOE Racing Team), early FP3 leader Jakub Kornfeil (Peugeot MC Saxoprint) and Marinelli Rivacold Snipers duo Jules Danilo and Romano Fenati complete the top fifteen.
For full results, click here! Moto3™ head out for a - hopefully - drier Sunday showdown at 11:00 (GMT +2).