Red Bull KTM Ajo take a 1-2 on the grid at Assen, with Championship leader Jose Antonio Rueda ahead of teammate Alvaro Carpe and David Almansa (Leopard Racing) taking a third place still within a stunning 0.066s of pole. Moto3 rarely disappoints and it really did live up to the billing for qualifying at Assen – despite dark clouds overhead, it remained dry throughout both Q1 and Q2.
Moving through from Q1, Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) led Ryusei Yamanaka (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI), Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) and Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Track space was at a premium and track position vital as always in Moto3 in Q1. Down in P10 after the opening flying laps, Championship leader Rueda needed a lap time and he found one, going provisional pole – so quick that he missed his braking point for Turn 1 and ran on.
There was a crash with two minutes to go for Guido Pini (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP), meaning yellow flags were out in the third sector – a lap later, Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) also fell. Rueda held onto pole ahead of teammate Carpe and Almansa who completed the front row. Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) improved with a late lap to bag a personal best of the year in P4 with fellow countryman Yamanaka next up in fifth – three of the top 5 coming via Q1.
The second-row features Quiles in sixth whilst Pini, despite crashing, heads up the third row. Joel Kelso (LEVELUP-MTA) clinched eighth to keep his top ten streak going, ahead of Dennis Foggia (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) and Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) tenth. Down field, Fernandez ended up 13th, one place ahead of Muñoz, whilst Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) has a lot of work on Sunday, coming from 16th on the grid.
Check out the full Moto3 qualifying results from Assen here – and come back for race day tomorrow!