MotoGP Assen: Bezzecchi ‘ready to race’ after Bagnaia pointers

Mooney VR46’s Marco Bezzecchi was the revelation of MotoGP qualifying on Saturday as the rookie secured fourth at the TT Circuit Assen.

Bezzecchi missed his second premier class front row start of the season by just 0.88s after half a day of dry running on the Ducati GP21 at one of the calendar’s most technical layouts. Fellow Ducati and VR46 Academy rider Pecco Bagnaia providing pointers in the opening laps before the 23-year completed the session alone.

The Italian, having already showcased impressive pace in Friday’s wet conditions and been strong from the off as Saturday fired up with a fifth place in FP3, set a 1’31.796 fastest in the afternoon action to secure his place at the head of row two for Sunday’s 26-lap race.

“What a great qualifying, I’m really happy!” Bezzecchi said on his performance. “The team and the Ducati guys did a great job and I immediately felt good in the dry this morning in the FP3.

“I really like this fast track riding the MotoGP! In qualifying, I went out on track with Pecco [Bagnaia], we did a great lap, then a cool down lap and a final attempt alone where I managed to repeat practically the same time.

“I am also satisfied with this and with the riding sensations during all sessions. We are ready for tomorrow, we can have a good race and hit a good result before the summer break.”