MotoGP Assen: Rookies reign in the rain as Munoz commands Friday’s Moto3

BOE Motorsports David Muñoz claimed Friday honours at a wet Assen TT Circuit having dominated across both free practice sessions.

VisionTrack’s Scott Ogden narrowly missed out on a top three position with Leopard’s Tatsuki Suzuki and MT Helmets’ Ryusei Yamanaka completing the leading trio in the closing stages.

A soggy FP1 welcomed the lightweight class as Friday practice began at the TT Circuit. Matteo Bertelle missing from action following his Sachsenring crash last Sunday due to injuring his knee ligaments with Red Bull Rookies rider Luca Lunetta standing in for his countryman on the QJ Motors Avintia.

Rivacold Snipers’ Alberto Surra took charge of the initial times with a 1’58.144 lap before BOE’s Muñoz bettered by one and a half seconds. The Italian answering the challenge with his third effort, just 0.167s splitting the leading pair as the only two so far under the 1’57 barrier.

Britain’s Ogden began his Assen weekend from eighth in the early standings before the times started to shuffle - despite a mosquito bite swelling his eye ahead of the action. Izan Guevara rising to the top with a 1’55.411 as Muñoz and Jaume Masia remained in check in the top three. Suzuki bettering Surra further back before the Sic58 duo of Lorenzo Fellon and Riccardo Rossi arrived to fourth and fifth.

Surra and Munoz continued to battle for overall dominance as confidence improved after ten minutes on track. The rookie running a full second clear of his closest rival as the Italian answered to remain in check before a dominant 1’52.406 became the time to beat.

Ogden sat sixth after 15 minutes of action with Sterilgarda Husqvarna’s John McPhee rounding out the top ten. The Brits both running 1’54 pace before Ogden stormed to second thanks