MotoGP Assen: Marquez 2nd time in qualifying, "It's essential to be on the first or second row"

Gp Assen MotoGP Honda HRC Qualifying – Marc Marquez closed qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix at the Assen circuit with the second fastest time. The reigning world champion was beaten at the end by Zarco, but expectations for the race are good.

The driver from Cevera sees his opponents as strong in both wet and dry conditions, but he will do everything he can to achieve a good result.

These are the words of Marc Marquez: “Today was one of those days where you have to take risks because you need to be there, it was essential to be on the front or second row, Vinales starts from the back but has good pace and can win. We had to start ahead to be able to win. In the dry we struggled a bit and lost grip. We thought we would be better in the wet but all the Hondas suffered. Towards the end of the session, a dry line started to form and we were able to be faster and faster. In the end I lost the chance to do another lap when I took the flag by a couple of seconds. But that's okay, we're on the front row, which was the main goal today. The team did a great job and I'm happy. Tomorrow we will see the time we have. You never know here; it can change every five minutes. Our rivals are strong in both wet and dry conditions, but we are not that far away and tomorrow we will try to start well, stay with them and fight for the podium.”

Remembering the last start with Petrucci nearby, #93 jokes: “Tomorrow with Petrucci on the right I hope it will be better than at Montmelò, I have already spoken to him and we joked. Tomorrow it looks like it might rain but we will race our race and try to manage well."