Ivan Ortola stole the victory from home rider Collin Veijer on the last thrilling lap of the race

It’s round eight for the Moto3 championship at the Cathedral of Speed of Assen. Angel Piqueras was on pole position, with Taiyo Furusato qualifying in second place, home rider Collin Veijer rounded out the front row of the grid in third place.

Piqueras got the holeshot into turn one, a hectic few corners but all the Moto3 riders made it through safely! Joel Kelso made a sharp start to proceedings. Championship leader David Alonso was in eighth place.

After two laps Ivan Ortola took charge and was leading from Piqueras and Furusato. Home rider and race favourite Collin Veijer was in fourth place and wasn’t looking too comfortable.

The nature of the Assen circuit meant the riders were still very much bunched up. Veijer was now in third place and looking more settled in the leading group.

After five laps the leading five riders made a break from the rest of the field, from Ortola to David Munoz. A lap later it was all change as Ortola and Furusato had a 0.7 second lead from Veijer. Alonso was in seventh place.

At the half-way point of the race the leading group was all bunched up, Ortola was still leading while his fellow Moto3 riders were battling it out behind him, Munoz was making crazy moves in fifth place. Veijer was holding on to second place, much to the crowds pleasure.

On lap 12 Collin took the lead and looked very much to have the best pace of the leading riders, Ortola was pushed back to fifth place.

Furusato ran off track on lap 16, he was no longer in the hunt for the Dutch victory. Alonso was now in second place, with Munoz in third place. Veijer pulled the pin with four laps to go, the young Dutch rider had a 0.8 second gap from Alonso.

On the final lap Ortola was right on the back wheel of Veijer! Alonso and Munoz were scrapping it out for third place. Ortola made his move at the Chicane to take the victory, Veijer was a very close second, Munoz won the battle for third place, Jose Antonio Rueda was fourth with David Alonso crossing the line in fifth place.

Featured Image: Joel Cooper Photography.