23 June 2022 – TT Circuit Assen – Netherlands

The top 10 Grand Prix for Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max Racing were not very lucky and for one reason or another we did not collect as much as we could. In fact, already in the first race, a guaranteed victory for our Ayumu, faded for a problem to a tire. After the second race we lost our John, due to a bad injury remedied in training, for which he had to miss five races. Finally, we must mention the bad accident that occurred to Ayumu, in free practice 2 of the Italian Grand Prix, due to which he had to miss two races. Despite all these vicissitudes, Ayumu is sixth in the world ranking, with 88 points and in full fight for the world podium. John is a bit further away, in nineteenth position and certainly the zero of last Grand Prix, due to an unwise manoeuvre of another driver, did not help our British driver to get back in the standings. Ayumu in the previous weekend, coming back after the injury, brought home an excellent fourth place, which, considering his physical condition, projects our rider among the best drivers in the category.

The Grand Prix that we are going to live will be held on the Assen circuit, which although quite different from the circuit called the University of Motorcycling, still retains a great charm. It has a length of 4542 m, with 12 curves on the right and 6 on the left. The longest straight has a length of 487 m. The Moto3 race includes 22 laps, for a total length of 99.9 km.

Here are the words of our two drivers and our Team Owner Max Biaggi.

AYUMU SASAKI : “I am very excited to go to Assen. This one will be the last race before the summer break. I was happy to be back in Germany and finishing in P4. That was great. In Assen many right corners and since I have a left side injury and that will definitely help me more than in Germany. I feel good on the bike and am very motivated. I am recovering from an injury, so during this weeendk, I think I will feel a little better. I can’t wait to get on track again, try my best, and have a great weekend before the summer break.”

JOHN MCPHEE : “It’s nice to be straight into another race weekend here in Assen. The fast flowing track suits my style and I’m really looking forward to getting started. The weather can always play it’s part at this track so we will be ready for all conditions too. After this race we have the summer break so it would be nice to finish this first half on a high.”

MAX BIAGGI – TEAM OWNER : “We are at the turning point of this championship and before the long summer break it will be good to bring home a good result. For this reason, I expect that both Ayumu and John can work properly in each session, to be able to prepare their bikes so as to be competitive in the race. Obviously Ayumu comes from an injury, because of which he is not yet in perfect physical shape, but last weekend he showed us what he’s made of. That’s why I can’t wait for the weekend to start.”

Statistics

Last year the Moto3 race that was held at the TT Circuit of Assen was won by D. Foggia, while S. Garcia and our Romano Fenati completed the podium. P. Acosta set the fastest lap in the race, with a time of 1’41.618, at an average of 160.9 Km/h. 1’41.194 is the pole time obtained by J. Alcoba, at an average of 161.5 Km/h.

Ayumu achieved a best result of fifteenth place on this circuit in 2017, his debut year. For John the best result is a third place in 2017.

The All-Time Lap Record belongs since last year to J. Alcoba, who with a time of 1’41.194 and an average of 161.5 Km/h has obtained the Best Pole. 1’41.618 is the Best Race Lap, obtained last year by P. Acosta, at an average of 160.9 Km/h. Finally 222.2 km/h is the Top Speed reached last year by T. Suzuki.

Schedule – Local Time (GMT +2)

Here is the schedule to follow the Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max Racing drivers this weekend.

Thursday 23 June
17:00 – Press Conference

Friday 24 June
09:00 – 09:40 – FP1 Moto3
13:15 – 13:55 – FP2 Moto3

Saturday 25 June
09:00 – 09:40 – FP3 Moto3
12:35 – 12:50 – Q1 Moto3
13:00 – 13:15 – Q2 Moto3

Sunday 26 June
09:00 – 09:10 – WUP Moto3
11:00 – RACE Moto3