CFMOTO Azul Marino Aspar rider Aspar won the Dutch Grand Prix following a spectacular overtaking manoeuvre in the final corners. Dani Holgado finished in sixth place
David Alonso has finally secured his first win of the season and capped off a perfect weekend at Assen, one of his most challenging circuits. The Colombian took the win after leading for much of the race and regaining first place with a spectacular overtaking manoeuvre in the final corners on Moto2 leader Manu González, who finished second. Senna Agius completed the podium in third place. Dani Holgado gave it his all in the battle for the podium and finished in sixth place.
The Moto2 race at the Dutch Grand Prix provided a great spectacle for the fans despite the high temperatures that both the riders and the spectators had to endure. David Alonso started from pole position on a circuit that posed a major challenge for him, but he lost two places in the opening laps. The Colombian kept his cool and regained the lead on the fifth lap, holding onto it until the final stages of the race. For the CFMOTO Azul Marino Aspar rider, it was crucial not to let his rivals pull away and to keep all his options open after the final lap. The key moment came at the legendary chicane on the TT Circuit Assen, when he pulled off an almost impossible overtaking manoeuvre to secure his first win of the season. Alonso’s last victory was at last season’s Hungarian Grand Prix, but this win, combined with last weekend’s podium finish, confirms the rider’s excellent form. Furthermore, this result has helped him close the gap on the top three in the Moto2 overall standings, and he is now fourth, seven points behind third place. Dani Holgado also gave it his all this Sunday and even found himself on the podium alongside his team-mate Alonso. The CFMOTO Azul Marino Aspar rider got off to a flying start, leading for several laps and holding his place in the top three until the halfway point. From then on, the Spaniard struggled somewhat to maintain his pace, which, combined with the penalty he had to serve for going off-track, saw him drop back to sixth place.
Win David Alonso: “It’s the most special victory of my life; I still can’t believe it. Who would have thought that after a whole season of battling it out, I’d secure my first win of the year here at Assen. Every time I’ve done the track walk of the circuit on Thursdays – and this is my fourth year – I’ve thought, ‘It would be brilliant to do it’. Not even in my wildest dreams could I have imagined I’d achieve it at the worst circuit for me on the whole calendar. I’ve been fighting hard, and when you’re out front, you always have a better chance, but I just wanted to focus on doing things right and giving it my all. When I realised I couldn’t push any harder, I held my position and looked for an opportunity. I don’t know how I managed that overtaking manoeuvre in the final chicane. I gave it my all for the whole team and for everyone who supports me.”
6th Dani Holgado (+7.374): “It was a very tough race, especially as I gave it my all right from the start. I knew full well that today was a day to give one hundred per cent. I’m happy because when you do that, you feel nothing but satisfaction, but I’m left with a slight niggling feeling because I lacked a bit of pace halfway through the race. I couldn’t keep up with the top three and I was a bit short on speed to be able to fight for the podium. Everyone is going very fast. I’m also feeling better and stronger with every race, and the most positive thing is that I can still keep going. Now it’s time to keep working with the team to get that speed. Today’s result doesn’t reflect the work we’re putting in, but we’re not far off. I’m being consistent and fighting for the top five, so I just need to take that small step to challenge for the podium. I feel very strong mentally to achieve it.”
