Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS rider Jack Miller is hoping for a dry and fast race after qualifying in 13th position for tomorrow’s Dutch TT.

Despite wet track pace the Australian rain master does not want a repeat of the rain showers that hit today’s qualifying in advance of the 26-lap race.

Miller is the defending race winner following his superb maiden MotoGP win in last year’s rain-lashed Assen race.

The flowing 4.5km Assen circuit is one of Miller’s favourites and despite his impressive 2016 performance he is eager to show that he can be a competitive force in dry conditions.

Despite a lack of rear grip Miller dominated the wet and slippery conditions for most of the Q1 session this afternoon.

He posted his fastest lap of 1’47.217 as the chequered flag came out and missed progressing to a place in Q1 by just 26 thousandths of a second.

The inclement weather at Assen for both the morning FP3 practice and the afternoon sessions proved frustrating for Tito Rabat.

The Spaniard lacked confidence and feel on the classic Assen layout and will start from the rear of the grid for the eighth round of the MotoGP World Championship.


Jack Miller: 13th - 1’47.217

“I was struggling for grip with the wet weather tyres, no support at the rear at all but we are working hard to find a strong set-up for the race. I’m hoping for good weather because I have a really good pace in the dry and I like this track and the flowing layout. It’s going to be a long race and I’m really keen to show what I am capable of in dry conditions and go for a strong top ten result.”

Tito Rabat: 23rd - 1’48.700

“This was a very difficult qualifying session for me and I’m disappointed with this result. Now I will just focus on the race tomorrow and put this qualifying behind me. My team has some ideas for the race set-up and while I know it won’t be easy I hope to have a chance to finish in the points.”

Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal

“I was expecting Jack to go through to Q2 because the conditions today are good for him but it was impossible to create any rear grip. It’s a shame. It was a frustrating day for Tito because he could not find a good feeling with the bike and it will be difficult for him starting from the last row of the grid. The weather is changeable which make the race unpredictable but I’m hoping that we will be in a position for Jack to fight for a top ten result and for Tito to score some points.”