The Moto2 qualifying session for the Dutch GP was a tough one for the Red Bull KTM Ajo Portuguese roder, as Miguel Oliveira was unable to find a spot high up on the starting grid. The Portuguese repeated his seventeenth place from two weeks ago in Barcelona.
In the final Free Practice session, Miguel Oliveira clocked a 1:38.770 best time, undertaking his first stint with fresh tyres and two further runs with used rubber.
Qualifying repeated the dynamics of the last Grand Prix, where Miguel Oliveira struggled to clock a great fast lap. Althought Miguel Oliveira put in his best time of the entire weekend -1:38.228- on his first stint, this was only enough for seventeenth.
Miguel Oliveira #44
"It was a qualifying session similar to that of the last few GPs. In Free Practice we are very close to the fastest times and top positions, whilst in QP others improve and we stay in exactly the same place as in practice, either with new or used tyres. However, as always our race pace is good and we know that in normal conditions we are up there.
Tomorrow I will have to win back many positions and try not to get into trouble on the first few laps, in order to be able to progress. It's a shame about the results of recent QPs, because the team are trying everything and we are working very hard, but it is not easy to find a solution. We'll see how the race goes tomorrow, because here at Assen it's hard to overtake. If a group forms then I hope I can be up there".
The 24-lap Dutch GP, the eighth round of the season, takes place tomorrow at 11:20am, Portuguese local time. Miguel Oliveira will try to make a comeback for a third consecutive podium for the Red Bull KTM Ajo, after the victory and podium at Mugello and Barcelona.
Results (Qualifying session)
1. Francesco Bagnaia (Kalex) 1:37.608
2. Marcel Schrotter (Kalex) 1:37.681 +0.073
3. Luca Marini (Kalex) 1:37.689 +0.081
4. Alex Marquez (Kalex) 1:37.717 +0.109
5. Xavi Vierge (Kalex) 1:37.786 +0.160
17. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:38.228 +0.620