Andrea Dovizioso rides his Ducati during the MotoGP qualifying on the circuit of the TT Assen on June 25, 2016 in Assen. PHOTO: AFP
Nine-time world champion Rossi stopped midway through the session to save the tyres on his Yamaha, allowing Ducati’s Dovizioso to claim the 17th pole of his career, and his fourth in MotoGP.
Rossi on pole for Italian Grand Prix
Honda’s championship leader Marc Marquez could only manage fourth, just behind surprise package Scott Redding of Great Britain, who will start from third for Ducati Pramac.
Defending champion Jorge Lorenzo goes into the race 10 points behind Marquez in the drivers’ standings, and will start from down in 11th spot on the grid. The struggles of his title rivals leaves Rossi with a fantastic opportunity to close the gap in the championship in today’s race, which he will begin 22 points behind Spaniard Marquez.
Lorenzo takes pole for French MotoGP
The 37-year-old has won around the Assen track seven times in his MotoGP career, while Dovizioso’s only victory in the elite class came in the British Grand Prix seven years ago.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 26th, 2016.
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