MotoGP qualifying: Dovizioso beats Rossi to Assen pole

Defending champion Lorenzo goes into race 10 points behind Marquez

Andrea Dovizioso rides his Ducati during the MotoGP qualifying on the circuit of the TT Assen on June 25, 2016 in Assen. PHOTO: AFP

PARIS:
Italian Andrea Dovizioso took pole position for the Dutch Grand Prix at Assen by edging out compatriot Valentino Rossi in qualifying yesterday.

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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