Monster Tech3 Yamaha rider Cal Crutchlow took his first ever pole position in the premier class at Qualifying for the Iveco TT Assen.
After setting a time of 1.34’398, Crutchlow became the first Briton on pole since 2002 where Jeremy McWilliams took the top spot in Phillip Island. Repsol Honda rookie Marc Marquez claimed second place followed by LCR Honda rider Stefan Bradl, it’s also the Germans best qualifying position in the premier class.
In fourth is Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi and claiming fifth place is Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa. Still recovering from his hand and wrist injury Crutchlow’s team-mate Bradley Smith will start form sixth place on the grid. Taking top CRT honours was Power Electronic Aspars Aleix Espargaro taking the highest CRT spot after setting the eighth fastest time during the qualifying session.
After coming through from Q1 Randy De Puniet will start from ninth place and completing the top ten was Ducati’s Nicky Hayden.
Current MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo did not take part in today’s qualifying after crashing heavily on his shoulder during yesterday’s Free Practice. The Spaniard was flown to Barcelona where he underwent surgery on his broken collarbone, which was successful. Lorenzo made the decision to fly back to Assen today. Whether he will race on Sunday is yet to be seen.
By Laura Turner
