Moto2 Netherlands Assen FP: Ai Ogura is there

After three weeks of absence, Moto2 is back. The intermediate category drivers will perform this weekend in the Netherlands, on the Assen circuit. A fast route, often very popular with drivers. The gap between Sergio Garcia and Joe Roberts fell to seven points at Mugello, to the Spaniard’s advantage. However, Ai Ogura should not be excluded from the equation. In good form during recent events, the Japanese remains on two consecutive podiums at Assen, and also holds the lap record.

Before we begin, here is a table that summarizes the known facts:

Before starting this first session of the weekend, let’s remember the absence of Marc VDS rider Deniz Oncu, injured in the hand. He will be replaced both in the Netherlands and in Germany by Marcel Schrotter, who is making his big return to Moto2.

The drivers set off, and two of the strong men at the start of the championship took direct control. Thus, Joe Roberts recorded a first best time in 1:37, ahead of Ai Ogura. However, things are moving quickly on the Assen circuit, and after ten minutes of driving, the drivers are already getting closer to the benchmark set in the first session last year by Jake Dixon (1:36.865).

Although he was on form, Roberts lost valuable time near the halfway mark, crashing at turn 9.

With fifteen minutes to go in this first session of the Assen Grand Prix, Ai Ogura confirmed his status as a driver to beat, and set an excellent time of 1:36.458. By continuing his momentum, the Japanese driver could well break the lap record of 1:36.000 that he set in 2023.

Behind, his teammate, Sergio Garcia, also prevented the competition by going under minute 37, but the n°3 also took off the track, managing to stop his machine in the gravel trap so as not to fall.

A discreet start to the session for the SpeedUP riders, Alonso Lopez and Fermin Aldeguer, who struggle to stay in the top 10. The future MotoGP rider manages, as usual, to increase the time in the final moments, and earns himself a place in the top 3 at the start of the last five minutes. His garage neighbour imitates him a few seconds later.

In front of the checkered flag, however, no one is able to worry Ai Ogura who starts the hostilities in the best possible way. MT Helmets MSI signs a double thanks to Sergio Garcia. Aron Canet prevents each of the SpeedUP riders from claiming a top-3 by signing a time of 1:36.547 on the wire.

Joe Roberts’ ninth place is certainly not representative of the American’s form, as he lost so much time on the track after his fall. Given the times posted at the start of the session, we will certainly have to count on him to put his competitors in a difficult position over the weekend.

Jake Dixon, Tony Arbolino and Celestino Vietti have each put in good performances in recent meetings, and confirmed their good form at Assen by placing in the top 10.

Barry Baltus evolves over the laps during this session, and gradually progresses in the ranking despite a discreet first outing on the track. The Belgian ranks 19th at the finish.

FP Moto2 standings for the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix in Assen:

Classification credit: MotoGP.com