Muñoz (P2) delivers podium thriller in Assen, Pini out due to bad luck at the start
Dramatic scenes at the start of the Moto3 race and dramatic scenes on the last lap of the Assen thriller. First, a technical problem ended Guido Pini's Dutch Grand Prix before it even began, then David Muñoz of the LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP team battled to the line for victory until a last-second red flag decided victory or a strong second place.
The tenth Grand Prix of the season in front of sold-out grandstands could hardly have been more thrilling. Right from the start, the Moto3 field showed its combative side - and right in the thick of the action: David Muñoz. The Spaniard got off to a brilliant start, catapulting himself from 14th to fourth place on the first of 20 laps and making a spirited charge to second place on the second lap. What followed was a race full of spectacular overtaking manoeuvres and thrills right up to the last second.
At just 19 years of age, Muñoz showed the ultimate fighting spirit. On the penultimate lap, he launched a decisive attack and moved back into second place. But then came the scare: Three riders in the leading group collided in the final chicane. While Muñoz continued to fight for victory at the front and made an overtaking manoeuvre against the leader on the way to the final chicane, the race was red flagged due to the crash - and the standings at the end of lap 19 decided the final finish. Initially, the Intact GP rider felt cheated of his possible victory, but second place impressively underlines David Muñoz's class and ambitions. With a further 20 championship points, he climbs to sixth place in the overall standings.
While Muñoz battled for victory and celebrated at the end, the race was over for Guido Pini even before the start. From seventh on the grid, the 17-year-old Italian could have contested a promising Dutch Grand Prix. But when the lights went out on the traditional 5.54-kilometre Assen circuit, his KTM came to a halt. Fortunately, a collision with the following riders was avoided. Despite his team's immediate efforts to restart the bike, Pini had to retire from the race. An undeserved end to a strong weekend up to that point - he will now take the lessons learned from the weekend with him to the Sachsenring, where he will attack again with unbroken motivation at the German racing team's home Grand Prix from 11th to 13th of July.
Results
Race
1. Jose Antonio RUEDA/ SPA/ KTM
2. David MUÑOZ/ SPA/ KTM – (+0.144)
3. Valentin PERRONE/ ARG/ KTM – (+0.245)
DNF
Guido Pini/ ITA/ KTM
World Championship
1. RUEDA Jose Antonio/ SPA – 187
2. CARPE Alvaro/ SPA – 118
3. PIQUERAS Angel/ SPA – 117
6. MUÑOZ David/ SPA – 82
17. PINI Guido/ ITA – 29
Team Classification
1. RED BULL KTM AJO – 305
2. FRINSA - MT Helmets – 177
3. LEVELUP-MTA – 153
6. LIQUI MOLY DYNAVOLT INTACT GP – 111
