P4 for Aron, P6 for Barry after coming through Q1. Fantic Racing Lino Sonego once again proves to be among the front-runners on the legendary Dutch track.
Qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix has just wrapped up at the iconic TT Circuit Assen, and Fantic Racing Lino Sonego can look forward to tomorrow’s race with confidence.
Aron Canet secured an excellent fourth place in Q2 with a time of 1’35.000, having set the fastest lap on his first flying attempt. Heavy traffic during his final push lap prevented the Spaniard from improving, but a second-row start remains a strong position from which to fight at the front.
Barry Baltus delivered a determined performance, finishing sixth with a 1’35.145 after successfully advancing from Q1. The Belgian bounced back strongly from a tough Friday, when a crash under yellow flags not only disrupted his day but also resulted in a double long lap penalty for the race. It's an added challenge, but the pace shown today suggests a comeback is definitely possible.
The TT Circuit Assen, one of the most historic venues in motorcycle racing, is set to host what promises to be an exciting race. Fantic Racing Lino Sonego is ready to fight and continue its charge in the championship.
Aron Canet:
“Today’s qualifying was quite chaotic. I won’t go into too many details, but honestly, it was frustrating. Even riding alone, I ran into traffic at key moments.
I’m still happy with fourth place, though I believe we deserved the front row—we had the pace and speed to be there. The rhythm is good, I feel competitive, and ready to fight for the win.
Unfortunately, there were also some dangerous situations out there. Some riders slow down too much on their out laps, and that can lead to crashes—especially in tricky areas like the final chicane. I don’t see much maturity from some riders, maybe because they’re younger, but they need to be more aware. This isn’t Moto3; you don’t need a tow to set a good lap.
As for the race, I think the fight will mainly be between Manu and me. We’re both very strong, and I finally feel like I’m back at my best. Manu had a great start to the season, but we’re closing in. Now it’s not just about being fast in one race—it’s about being consistently fast. And we’re getting there."
Barry Baltus:
”I’m happy with today—definitely a positive day. Maybe not perfect, but a second-row start is still a good result. This morning we had a very competitive pace, among the fastest on track, so I feel confident.
It’s a shame about the two long lap penalties, but that was my mistake and I need to learn from it. Yesterday wasn’t easy, but today we bounced back, and P6 in qualifying proves that.
Tomorrow won’t be easy, that’s for sure, but from the first lap to the chequered flag I’ll give it everything. Even with the penalty, I think we can do something good—we’re confident and ready to fight."
Roberto Locatelli, Team Manager:
”Great qualifying from both our riders. Aron was very fast riding solo and finished at the front of the second row, which is absolutely in line with our goals. The first two rows are the minimum target if you want to fight for the podium—and today, we achieved that with both Canet and Baltus, who did a great job coming through Q1. We are fully aligned with our goals and strategy: we want to be contenders and aim for the podium with both riders."
