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Qualifying report

Assen MotoGP: Top 5 quotes after qualifying

Johann Zarco executed a highly memorable qualifying performance to seal pole position at Assen

Johann Zarco, Monster Yamaha Tech 3

Johann Zarco, Monster Yamaha Tech 3

Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Johann Zarco, Monster Yamaha Tech 3
Polesitter Johann Zarco, Monster Yamaha Tech 3
Polesitter Johann Zarco, Monster Yamaha Tech 3
Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team
Danilo Petrucci, Pramac Racing
Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing
Scott Redding, Pramac Racing

Cla#RiderBikeTimeGapkm/h
1 5 france Johann Zarco Yamaha 1'46.141   154.051
“Pole position is a great thing and when you see your name on top of the time sheets, it is an awesome feeling. Today it rained for almost the entire day, but in FP4 it was more or less dry, and then suddenly there was a downpour. At this time, I decided to stay out on the track in order to understand the conditions and to collect as much information as possible in order to give me a good chance in the qualifying. Then, in Q2, the track started to dry a little bit and I like this kind of situation so I realized that I could make a difference. I pushed on the last lap, plus I felt strong and in the end, everything went so well. I am happy and I know that I need to use this opportunity tomorrow to try and get a podium, which is my target. I think I am ready for any weather condition because I was solid on Friday in the dry and also in the wet, I feel comfortable. Either way, it should be cold so I can use the soft tyre and that will be beneficial. I said on Thursday that starting from the first two rows is important so that I can fight for the podium, and I will start from pole which is the biggest advantage so let's see what happens.”
2 93 spain Marc Marquez Honda 1'46.206 0.065 153.957
“Today was one of those days when you have to take some risks because you ‘need’ to be there. Toward the end of the session, a dry line started to form and we were able to be faster and faster. At the very end I missed the chance to do another lap when I took the flag by a couple of seconds. But okay, we’re on the front row, which was the main target for today. The team did a great job and I’m happy. Tomorrow we’ll see what weather we have. You never know here; it can change every five minutes. Our opponents are strong in both wet and dry, but we’re not so far off and tomorrow we’ll try to start well, stay with them, and fight for the podium.”
3 9 italy Danilo Petrucci Ducati 1'46.526 0.385 153.494
"Is a very positive moment. I am very happy for the first row. Is the second time in a row, however tomorrow I will need to start in a better way compare to Barcelona. We are working very well, the feeling with the bike is very positive, and the team is doing a brilliant job. I am very optimist for tomorrow’s race as we did well also in dry conditions. If I have to be honest, I am actually hoping for dry condition."
4 46 italy Valentino Rossi Yamaha 1'46.705 0.564 153.237
"It‘s a shame I didn‘t get front row, but it‘s very important for the race to start from within the top-5. I‘m in fourth position and that‘s a good place and it was also a positive day because I was always competitive from this morning and I feel good with the bike. We had two practice sessions that were more or less fully wet, so we could work on the new chassis. This was very important to understand if we can be competitive, and the feeling was quite positive. Now we have to await the weather and the conditions. Here in Assen it‘s always a big surprise. We hope for either a full dry or a full wet race."
5 45 united_kingdom Scott Redding Ducati 1'47.574 1.433 151.999
"It was a very good day with this wet condition also because Friday was quite complicated. Things went well already from the morning. The main goal was to improve ourselves and we did in FP3. I was able to find confidence and it helped me to improve and to have a significant step forward. Is not easy to perform at the optimal level in Q2 after Q1. However, I tried to push at the maximum and I am satisfied with the second row."

 

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