Reigning MotoGP World Champion just misses out on pole, setting a time 0.065 off the top lap at Assen. Dani Pedrosa will start the race from row 4, in twelfth.
This is the fourth time that Márquez has started from second on the grid at Assen. He previously did so in 2011 (Moto2), 2013 and 2014.
This is the seventh time that the Repsol Honda rider will start from the front row at Assen. He has only missed out on the first line of attack once since 2010: Last year, when he placed fourth.
Dani Pedrosa will start from the fourth row, in twelfth.
Marc Márquez
2nd1’46.206
“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”.
Dani Pedrosa
12th1’49.623
“It was impossible for me to ride normally today, as I couldn’t put any temperature in the tyres, especially the rear and especially on the full wet. I had no grip at all; the tyres were too hard for me. We tried everything on the bike, everything on the tyres, everything on track, but unfortunately there was nothing to do. For tomorrow, of course we must adapt to the situation, which isn’t the best for me at this track, but I’ll try to focus on the race and do as well as possible”.
