Matteo Ferrari made it a two-for-two performance by winning MotoE World Championship Race Two Saturday at TT Circuit Assen, in The Netherlands.

Riding his Felo Gresini Ducati electric racebike, the Italian won the seven-lap race by just 0.078 second over Openbank Aspar Team’s Jordi Torres.

HP Pons Los40 rider Mattia Casadei finished third.

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Race 2: Ferrari fends off Torres to complete fabulous double at Assen

The Italian rides the wave all the way into summer break, now just eight points off Torres in the standings

After a Race 1 that went almost to the wire, Race 2 most definitely did for the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship at the TT Circuit Assen. But once again, Jordi Torres (Openbank Aspar Team) just couldn’t quite get the better of Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE™). The Italian completed the double in style to move within eight points of Torres as the Spaniard was forced to settle for second, with Mattia Casadei (HP Pons Los40) slicing through from P10 to complete the rostrum.

Torres took the holeshot, with Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) slotting into second initially and Ferrari third, and the trio were separated by absolutely nothing as Casadei got to work behind moving up into fourth. Also on the move was Andrea Mantovani (RNF MotoE™ Team) as he got his elbows out to get into the fight for fifth, taking on Randy Krummenacher (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) and Kevin Zannoni (Ongetta SIC59 Squadra Corse).

There was then drama at the front as Granado tagged the back of Ferrari, the Brazilian staying on and not losing the position but losing some time as the duel ahead then pulled a gap. And that gap stayed there as the race became a two-rider showdown for the win.

What would turn out to be the winning overtake came with four to go as Ferrari pulled an absolute stunner to sweep around Torres and into the lead at Hoge Heide, with the Spaniard then left with the same challenge as Race 1: stay with him. This time around, that he did… on the final lap getting to within possible striking distance. But not without some serious risk, and Torres instead made it a straight shot towards the line, just losing out by 0.078 – and taking those valuable 20 points as Ferrari once again proved impeccably quick with his third win of the year.

Casadei also most definitely impressed, up seven positions from his grid slot and completing the podium. Mantovani suffered a late crash out of podium contention, and Granado took fourth one place ahead of teammate Miquel Pons.

Pons managed to pip Zannoni by the flag, with Alessandro Zaccone (Tech 3 E-Racing) taking P7. Nicholas Spinelli (HP Pons Los40) took eighth ahead of a tough finish for Krummenacher, with Kevin Manfredi (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) beating Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) to the final place in the top ten.

That’s a wrap on the first half of the season… and it’s next stop the British GP as the electric field take on Silverstone for the very first time. Torres heads the table by only eight points now… so make sure to come back for more!

Alonso Lopez claimed pole position during Moto2 qualifying Saturday at TT Circuit Assen, in The Netherlands. Riding his Beta Tools Speed Up Boscoscuro, Lopez turned a 1:36.247 to lead the field of 28 riders.

Lopez outpaced Brit Jake Dixon, who did a second-best 1:36.256 on his Inde GASGAS Aspar Team Kalex, and Japanese star Ai Ogura, who did a third-fastest 1:36.301 on his Idemitsu Honda Team Asia Kalex.

Americans Joe Roberts (1:37.045) and Sean Dylan Kelly (1:37.517) qualified 14th and 22nd, respectively.

Matteo Ferrari won FIM MotoE World Championship Race One Saturday at TT Circuit Assen, in The Netherlands. Riding his Felo Gresini Ducati electric racebike, the Italian won the seven-lap race by 0.676 second over Openbank Aspar Team’s Jordi Torres. Dynavolt Intact GP’s Randy Krummenacher was a close third.

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Race 1: Ferrari outpaces Torres as Krummenacher homes in

The Italian puts in an impressive first race to escape the Championship leader, with Torres just able to hold off Krummenacher

Saturday, 24 June 2023

Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE™) is back on a roll. The Italian took the lead early on in Race 1 at the TT Circuit Assen and then pushed at the front to hold off points leader Jordi Torres (Openbank Aspar Team), with Torres then left to contend with a charging Randy Krummenacher (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™). But the Spaniard was able to just stay ahead, taking another valuable 20 points as Ferrari cut the gap to just 13.

Torres took the holeshot but Ferrari didn’t wait long to attack, slicing through early on Lap 1. From there Torres had his hands full to try and stick with him, and initially he did as the two started to pull away.

The fight for third was Krummenacher vs Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) vs Mattia Casadei (HP Pons Los40) early on, with Andrea Mantovani (RNF MotoE™ Team) then able to join the party. With the chopping and changing, Ferrari and Torres were able to eke out a lead, and then Ferrari put the hammer down at the front even further.

Able to pull out just under a second, the Italian then kept it pitch perfect to the flag to take another convincing win. In the fight for second, Krummenacher, free of the fight behind, began to home in on Torres. The Swiss rider got close but it wasn’t quite close enough to mount a last lap attack, so the Spaniard takes those valuable 20 points – and Krummenacher nevertheless impresses with another rookie podium.

Casadei held onto fourth as the fight for fifth became a duel, with Mantovani able to fend off Granado. A huge group battle behind decid seventh, and that just went the way of Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™), who pipped Tito Rabat (Prettl Pramac MotoE™) at the line.

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Bezzecchi denies Bagnaia to become 13th different polesitter in a row at Assen

The number 72 is back in the game, denying Bagnaia as Marini completes the front row, Quartararo has his best qualifying of the year – and Martin takes P10

Saturday, 24 June 2023

Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) set a stunning new lap record to take pole at the Motul TT Assen, becoming the 13th different polesitter in a row at the track in the process. And it’s lucky for some! His 1’31.472 was enough to pip reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) by just 0.061 though, with Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) completing an all-Italian front row. And only just, as the number 10 denies Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) by an infinitesimal 0.041. Still, it’s the Frenchman’s best qualifying of the season so far as the grid at Assen sets us up for a stunner!

Q1: Zarco and Oliveira shine, Bastianini and Marquez clash

A superstar train rolled out for Q1 with Zarco at its head, Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) tucked in behind and Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) shadowing both. As they crossed the line Zarco went top and Morbidelli second, but Marquez slotted into fourth behind Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), who’d also been just behind the train.

Zarco then pulled off line and Morbidelli followed, and Marquez headed back into the pits as Bastianini lit up the timing screens with some red sectors. The Italian lost out in the final part of the lap though – and then the lap was also cancelled for track limits. By this point, Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) was leading the way, but he was then deposed by Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team). Zarco then put in another flying lap to take over – and by three and a half tenths in a show of some serious speed form the Frenchman.

Pitlane went quiet as the field prepared to another crack at it, and this time Marquez tucked in behind Bastianini – but early on the number 23 had to call time on the lap early after saving a big moment. And time was running out. Meanwhile, Oliveira was setting red sectors again as Di Giannantonio took over in second… with everything very much undecided. But then came the drama.

As Bastianini dropped anchor, Marquez slowed up too, and then the two collided as the Repsol Honda hit the back of the Ducati rider. The number 93 was out, and Bastianini wasn’t going to have time for another lap either.

That left Zarco unthreatened at the top, with Oliveira taking the second spot in Q2.

Q2

After a flurry of fast laps on the first runs, the main drama – although a harmless crash – was Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) going down at Turn 5. That left him with without a time as Bezzecchi and Bagnaia headed the table for the moment, with Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) third.

The first rider to attack on a second shot at it was Quartararo, and the Frenchman shot onto provisional pole by just over a tenth. This was it now, with the timing screens awash with red sectors as the 12 riders in Q2 all went into full attack mode.

The first to hit back was Bezzecchi as he pulled out three tenths and set a new lap record, and then Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) split the two. Next up Bagnaia crossed the line with Marini for close company and they slotted into second and third, but a crash for Marini soon after put paid to another lap for the number 10 – and brought out the Yellow Flags. Rider perfectly fine and tt could well have protected his front row too. An incident with mixed consequences.

After that, there was one shot left for some, but no one could make it count. Bagnaia was down on Bezzecchi and that was that, the number 72 makes a little slice of history as the 13th different rider to start from pole over the last 13 Grands Prix at the TT Circuit Assen!

THE GRID(S)

It’s an all-Italian front row as Bezzecchi heads Bagnaia and Marini, with Quartararo just missing out on the front row by 0.041. Still, it’s exactly what the 2021 Champion ordered so far at Assen – entry to Q2 and a grid position quite a lot further forward. He has Binder for company in P5, with Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) completing Row 2.

Viñales, arguably the rider with the best record at Assen, was through to Q2 too and he’ll start P7, with Zarco rescuing a third row start in P8 after a tougher Friday. Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) completes that row.

So where’s Martin? The early crash for the most recent winner on the grid seemed to cost him dear as he only manages tenth, with work to do when the lights go out. Oliveira takes P11, with Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) unlikely, despite the incredible starts for the KTMs of late, to be in holeshot contention this weekend as he lines up 12th. The Australian will be looking for a lot more once we’re racing!

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

MotoE™: Torres, Ferrari & Granado on the front row as Casadei loses pole

A tyre pressure penalty for Casadei puts him P10 as some big rivals move up

Friday, 23 June 2023

As qualifying for Round 4 of the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship concluded at the Motul TT Assen, it was Mattia Casadei (HP Pons Los40) who flew through Q1 to snatch pole at the iconic Cathedral of Speed. But it wasn’t to be for the Italian as a tyre pressure penalty sees the lap on which they didn’t comply – his best effort in Q2 – scrubbed off. So instead, it’s points leader Jordi Torres (Openbank Aspar Team) who will head the grid ahead of closest challenger in the standings, Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE™), and previous Assen winner Eric Granado (LCR E-Team).

Row 2 will now be impressive rookie Randy Krummenacher (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) ahead of Mugello Race 1 winner Andrea Mantovani (RNF MotoE™ Team) and Alessandro Zaccone (Tech3 E-Racing), who was through to Q2 directly once again as his comeback continues gathering momentum.

It didn’t go to plan for most recent winner Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) as the Spaniard failed to find his way into Q2 and will start both races from 12th on the grid. Casadei will start tenth.

Check out the full qualifying below FREE on YouTube, although pre-penalty, and then make sure to tune in to our broadcast partners or VideoPass to enjoy the racing. Race 1 gets underway at 12:15 (GMT +2) before the second showdown fires up at 16:10!

Italian racer Marco Bezzecchi was on top again in MotoGP Free Practice Two (FP2) Friday afternoon at TT Circuit Assen, in The Netherlands. Riding his Mooney VR46 Racing Ducati, Bezzecchi lapped the 2.8-mile (4.5 km) track in 1:32.063, which was a little short of Francesco Bagnaia’s All-Time Lap Record of 1:31.504 from 2022.

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Bezzecchi heads Martin and Miller, Quartararo into Q2

Key contenders ready for battle on Saturday as Quartararo gets back into Q2 but Marc Marquez suffers a tougher Day 1 on his return

Friday, 23 June 2023

Championship fight remains as unpredictable as ever as Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) catapulted himself to the top of the timesheets on Day 1 of the Motul TT Assen. After the two Practice sessions, the Italian’s 1:32.063 saw him maintain a firm hold on the top spot by the end of the day. The stage is set in Assen as the Italian is joined by some key rivals at the top: Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) put his GP23 into P2, with the Spaniard eager to continue his Sachsenring form, and Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) rounds out the top three following a late time attack during Practice 2… just ahead of reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team).

Miller crashes the party

As Friday’s running drew closer to the end, the time attacks came flying in with the riders conscious of the importance of finishing inside the top 10 to bag a Q2 spot. Bezzecchi maintained a firm grip on the top spot though, with no one able to topple the Italian after he’d also topped P1 in the morning.

Martin had an eventful P2 session seeing him shortcutting the circuit on numerous occasions but put in a strong lap in the closing stages to finish the day 0.143s away from Bezzecchi.

Meanwhile, it was looking as Bagnaia was struggling to find a setup that worked for him around the Assen circuit, with the Italian showing visible signs of frustration during Practice 1. With the Champion sitting in P12 after the morning session, the Ducati garage worked away before P2 to give Bagnaia the feeling that he needed, and the bike was looking much more stable. Bagnaia blasted his way to the top three initially, but Miller had something to say about that.

The Aussie sandwiched himself between the title-fighting trio, pushing Bagnaia down to P4 in the closing stages. The job was done for both teams with secured Q2 spots in the bag ahead of Saturday’s qualifying action.

On the comeback

Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) finished the first Practice in a comfortable P2, and showed strong pace in the 2nd Practice to finish the day in fifth overall. The Spaniard will be looking for a return to the podium after taking 3rd place at Assen just one year ago, his first rostrum with Aprilia, and at a track where he boasts one of the best CVs on the grid,.

Despite riding with that toe injury picked up when running, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ ) showed signs of progress aboard his Yamaha M1 after taking P6. The Frenchman will be relieved to be missing Q1 this time out, and will be hoping his smooth riding style will be able to put him right back in the mix at the fast, flowing Assen circuit.

Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) finished the day in P7 ahead of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder, with both KTMs through this time round. Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) showed flashes of brilliance throughout the day to secure P9, with Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) snatching the final Q2 spot.

Looking for more

It was a bump in the road for three-in-a-row podium finisher Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) as the Frenchman failed to secure himself a place in Q2 by just 0.088s, and he’ll have to battle his way through Q1 after finishing in P11.

The Frenchman will be joined by the two CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team riders of Raul Fernandez and Miguel Oliveira who finished 12th and 13th respectively.

Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) also failed to make the Q2 cut after finishing in 15th and 19th. Both riders made trips to the gravel trap, with Marquez hitting the deck just two corners into his only time attack of the day as P2 came to a close.

SHOWTIME

With some huge names in Q1, the stage is set for Qualifying and then the Tissot Sprint at the Cathedral of Speed. Make sure you don’t miss a single detail as the action unfolds! Here’s when it all gets underway in GMT+2:

MotoGP™ FP: 10:10

MotoGP™ Q1: 10:50

MotoGP™ Q2: 11:15

Tissot Sprint: 15:00

Moto2™: Dixon stakes early claim on victory with a clean sweep on Friday

Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) is the rider to beat in Moto2™ at the Motul TT Assen as the Brit heads into Saturday’s action on top of the combined standings after setting a blistering 1:36.463. The Spanish Armada was in hot pursuit as Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) stayed within two-tenths of the GASGAS rider, however.

Ai Ogura (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) is showing he’s returning to the form we know he’s capable of, bagging P4 after Friday practice, with Sam Lowes (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team) rounding out the top five ahead of Albert Arenas (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in P6.

Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) takes seventh overall thanks to his best from P1, ahead of Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) and Championship leader Tony Arbolino (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team) in P9. Home team Fieten Olie Racing GP had a good start with Barry Baltus completing the top ten.

Tune in for more as Moto2™ Practice 3 starts at 09:25 local time (GMT+2), before qualifying from 13:45!

Moto3™: Masia makes his mark on Friday

It’s advantage Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) as the Motul TT Assen kicks off the weekend with Moto3™ Practice. The Spaniard put down a 1:41.579 to keep the field at arm’s length, with Stefano Nepa (Angeluss MTA Team) 0.350s behind. Just 0.053s behind his fellow Italian was Romano Fenati (Rivacold Snipers Team) whose wide, swooping lines are playing perfectly to the fast, flowing characteristics of the Assen circuit.

As the clock counted down to the chequered flag a flurry of fast laps came flying in during Practice 2. David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) and Xavier Artigas (CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP) put the hammer down to secure 4th and 5th respectively, with rookie David Alonso (Valresa GASGAS Aspar M3) rounding out the top 6 ahead of Riccardo Rossi (SIC58 Squadra Corse).

The intense rush for a time attack caught out Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets MSI) as the Brazilian crashed out with 3 minutes to go for the 2nd time in the afternoon. The youngster just managed enough to secure P8 on combined times. Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) is down in P9, just ahead of Championship leader Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) who suffered a crash at Turn 16 with just under 30 minutes of P2 remaining.

Moto3™ continues on Saturday, make sure not to miss any of the action with Practice 3 at 08:40 and qualifying at 12:50 local time (GMT +2).