MotoGP, Q1, Assen: Quartararo and Mir through, rookie Moreira crashes

The qualifying session for the Dutch Grand Prix kicked off with the 15-minute Q1 session, which saw only a handful of riders take to the track at Assen. Gresini rider Fermin Aldeguer, who had been the fastest Ducati rider for much of Friday’s free practice, was absent following his heavy crash. The young Spaniard is currently on his way to Madrid to have his injuries further assessed. Taking his place was Augusto Fernandez, who is supporting the Yamaha project at Assen on a wildcard.

Franco Morbidelli (VR46), who is regarded as a strong qualifier, rightly reckoned he had a good chance of a place in Q2. Also in Q1: Diogo Moreira, who had produced his best qualifying performance at the Brno GP, alongside the three other Honda riders, Mir, Marini and Crutchlow. Also having to start from the first session were Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) and, consequently, the pole-setter for the 2025 Assen GP, rookie Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, as well as the two KTM riders Brad Binder and Maverick Viñales.

The first fast lap came from the rookie camp. Moreira took the lead ahead of Morbidelli. When Joan Mir clocked a time of 1:31.315 on his second flying lap, two RC213V riders were on course for Q2. Midway through Q1, Binder and Quartararo were ranked behind Morbidelli. Meanwhile, Toprak Razgatlıoğlu had yet to set a timed lap; ‘El Turco’ was going all out on one final attempt.

In the final session, as so often, Fabio Quartararo came to the fore. The Frenchman pushed his M1 to a time of 1:31.271 – securing first place. Behind him, his team-mate Rins improved to P6. Moreira made one last attempt, but the Brazilian overdid it and crashed his Honda just under two minutes before the chequered flag. The Moto2 champion missed out on Q2, finishing in 14th place on the grid. Veteran Franco Morbidelli made things exciting. Once the yellow flags had been withdrawn, the Ducati rider was on course for the fastest time. However, in the final sector, he squandered his lead and finished in P3, 0.1 seconds behind. Behind him were Moreira, Binder and Rins.

Toprak Razgatlioglu failed to capitalise on his chance. The Pramac rookie will start both races from the very back of the grid. Even former MotoGP champion Cal Crutchlow was 0.147 seconds faster.

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18.09.2026 - 08:55