Miller shows pace as Bezzecchi best in Assen

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: 24 June 2023

MotoGP riders are back flying around the “cathedral of speed” and the fastest was Marco Bezzecchi, who topped both Friday practice sessions at the Dutch TT.

Bezzecchi completed a Friday sweep by recording a 1:32.063 in the final session, which was enough to be a tenth clear ahead of German Grand Prix winner Jorge Martin.

But once again giving it to the Ducatis is Australia’s Jack Miller, who finished the day third fastest with a lap at the death.

Francesco Bagnaia and Maverick Vinales complete the top five as Fabio Quartararo finally found some decent speed on his Yamaha to go sixth.

It was another bruising day for Marc Marquez, who had his latest crash on his Repsol Honda, this time occurring at Turn 3.

He is one of many riders, who will be vying for the limited Q2 spots on offer.

Pramac Ducati’s Johann Zarco missed automatic progression by just 0.088s while the likes of Miguel Oliveira, Enea Bastianini and Franco Morbidelli were also a fair way down the timesheets.

Jack Miller found some speed at Assen on his KTM. Image Goose / Red Bull Content Pool

The day belonged to Bezzecchi as the VR46 Racing rider controlled FP1 with apparent ease.

The #72 went to the top of the timesheets after just seven minutes and no one could displace the bike from P1.

Bezzecchi’s initial benchmark of a 1:33.961 stood until the final quarter of an hour when the Italian continuously found more time to eventually clock a 1:32.246.

Vinales was the next best three tenths adrift with Alex Marquez rounding out the top three and Miller ninth.

Zarco was able to recover from a high-speed off at Turn 15 to sit fourth, but the bigger story was Bagnaia, who had a sketchy session.

The #1 suffered many nervous moments on his factory Ducati and was visibly agitated.

Marc Marquez’s tough day started cautiously down in 21st.

Saturday is moving day at the Dutch TT, which will stage its first ever Sprint race in the 74-year history of the event.

2023 Dutch TT Practice 1 results

1. Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) – 1:32.246
2. Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) – +0.314
3. Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) +0.368
4. Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) +0.516
5. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) +0.558
6. Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) +0.635
7. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda IDEMITSU) +0.735
8. Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) +0.821
9. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) +0.841
10. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) +1.175

2023 Dutch TT Practice 2 results

1. Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) – 1:32.063
2. Jorge Martín (Prima Pramac Racing) +0.130
3. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) +0.155
4. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) +0.200
5. Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) +0.245
6. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) +0.278
7. Aleix Espargaró (Aprilia Racing) +0.345
8. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) +0.386
9. Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) +0.406
10. Alex Márquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) +0.518

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