It was a dramatic Moto2™ race at the Motul TT Assen, with Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) charging to victory by less than a second. Ogura took his second win of the season and is now on a roll as he beats Fermin Aldeguer (Folladore SpeedUp) to the line. The #54 crossed the line in second after an eventful Grand Prix, where Aldeguer was forced to take a Long Lap after exceeding track limits. Meanwhile, rounding off an excellent weekend for the MT Helmets – MSI squad was Sergio Garcia, who took third position at the line.
Second win of 2024 for @AiOgura79🥇
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) June 30, 2024
Keeping it cool calm and collected to take victory 👏#DutchGP 🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/qwjpiaBenF
As the lights went out to start Triumph's 100th race powering the Moto2™ class, it was Ogura, who took the advantage and the lead on the entry to Turn 1. However, Ogura’s lead lasted for just five corners when polesitter Aldeguer responded and took the lead for the first time. The first lap was filled with drama at the front with moves made at every opportunity to the delight of the Dutch crowd.
Aldeguer set a sensational pace early on, setting the fastest lap and bridging a one second gap between himself and now Garcia, who found his way through on Alonso Lopez (Folladore SpeedUp) and then Ogura for P2.
BIG contact between Mario Aji and @AyumuSasaki1 💥
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) June 30, 2024
Unfortunately that brought Ayumu down 😔#DutchGP 🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/UPl9K2T8l8
However, it would be an early end to the race for Zonta van den Goorbergh (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP), Albert Arenas (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) and Aron Canet (Fantic Racing), who all suffered their own crashes in the opening stages. Ayumu Sasaki crashed with 15 laps remaining to the disappointment of the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team.
The battle between the two MT Helmets – MSI riders would not end there with Ogura reclaiming P2 on Lap 12 – putting on an excellent show for the Dutch crowd.
👀 @Aldeguer54 completes the long lap penalty
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) June 30, 2024
Now the fight for victory is ON! ⚔️#DutchGP 🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/XSfdxe5aVz
But there would be some added tension for Aldeguer, who received a warning for track limits early in the race. This then turned into added drama on Lap 14 when the #54 was handed a Long Lap. Aldeguer eventually took the penalty on Lap 16, dropping back to third with work to go in the remaining seven laps.
The race was officially on with a tense three-way battle for the lead with Ogura leading the way ahead of Aldeguer, who quickly found his way into second ahead of Garcia. The #3 began to lose touch as the battle for victory turned into a two-way duel with two laps remaining. Ogura showed no signs of stopping, putting together a brilliant last lap and crossing the line to take victory at Assen by 0.571s from the recovering Aldeguer.
🏁 #Moto2 RACE 🏁@AiOgura79 WINS AT ASSEN 🥇#DutchGP 🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/4JQHoOboYS
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) June 30, 2024
Garcia held onto third position ahead of Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team), who completed a super ride after starting from P9 on the grid. The #96 finished ahead of Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia), who rounded out the top five in the Netherlands after a fantastic battle with Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team). Behind the #14 was Marcos Ramirez, who brought the sole OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex to seventh ahead of Lopez – rounding out the top eight.
Meanwhile, the final positions inside the top 10 went the way of Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) and Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) as Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) was dropped one position for exceeding track limits on the last lap.
Now all attention turns to the Sachsenring in one week for what is set to be a further twist in the story, so make sure you don’t miss anything and keep up to date with all the action on motogp.com!
Top 10:
1 | Ai Ogura (MT Helmets - MSI) | |
2 | Fermin Aldeguer (Folladore SpeedUp) | +0.571 |
3 | Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets - MSI) | +4.252 |
4 | Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) | +8.985 |
5 | Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) | +9.949 |
6 | Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) | +10.069 |
7 | Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing Team) | +12.488 |
8 | Alonso Lopez (Folladore SpeedUp) | +12.592 |
9 | Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) | +12.734 |
10 | Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) | +12.986 |