--- title: "MotoGP: Marquez, Crutchlow, Rossi Secure Front Row at Assen" description: "Rossi recuperated from a heavy crash in Free Practice 4 to charge to the front of the field." date: "2018-06-30" modified: "2018-06-30" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/21874/motogp-marquez-crutchlow-rossi-secure-front-row-at-assen" categories: - "News" - "Racing" tags: - "Ducati" - "Dutch" - "Jorge Lorenzo" - "Marc Márquez" - "MotoGP" - "racing" - "Racing News" - "Valentino Rossi" - "yamaha" --- # MotoGP: Marquez, Crutchlow, Rossi Secure Front Row at Assen ![]() *\www.thedrive.com\* Repsol Honda's Marc Marquez rode the wheels off his RC213V to claim the pole position at the Assen TT track for tomorrow's MotoGP Dutch Grand Prix. Independent Honda superstar [Cal Crutchlow]() followed Marquez closely to land second place, while Valentino Rossi clocked the third-fastest lap of Saturday's qualifying session. The nail-biting track excursion was largely ruled by Ducati's Jorge Lorenzo, who repeatedly lapped the 2.8-mile Dutch circuit faster than his competitors. However, the Spaniard couldn't uphold the pace into Q2 and fell down the order to an abysmal 10th place, where he will start tomorrow's race. ![message-editor%2F1530375783903-gettyimages-987134790.jpg]() *Valentino Rossi., *GETTY** The fastest lap time was produced by [Marquez]() with a 1:32.791, and Crutchlow with a 1:32.832, just 0.4 seconds slower than the factory Honda. Rossi's time of 1:32.850 proves that the Yamaha has the pace, but given the hot temperatures expected tomorrow, tire choice will play a huge role in outright performance. "I'm so happy about the front row because I crashed in FP4, so I lost some feeling," said Rossi. "It wasn't easy, but I did three laps with the first tire and recovered my line and my rhythm, and after that, it was a 'waiting game'. Everybody was waiting but I was in a good position. It was exciting because it was a really hot lap!" ![message-editor%2F1530375818161-gettyimages-977270874.jpg]() *Cal Crutchlow., *GETTY** The fourth place on the grid was conquered by factory Ducati rider [Andrea Dovizioso](), whose 1:32.870 was only two-tenths of a second slower than Rossi's. That being said, the Italian rider struggled with balance in the early stages of qualifying, so only time will tell if the Borgo Panigale outfit will be able to sort out the gremlins on time for tomorrow's race. Suzuki's Alex Rins will follow Dovizioso in fifth place. Further down the grid, it's Yamaha's Maverick Vinales who will start in sixth place, Aprilia's Aleix Espargaro, Yamaha Tech 3's Johann Zarco, Suzuki's Andrea Iannone, and [Ducati's Jorge Lorenzo]() wrapping up the top ten. ![message-editor%2F1530375424311-screenshot2018-06-30at11.16.35am.png]() **MotoGP** ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()