Mika Kallio (KTM) prevailed in a hard-fought 125cc race from Sergio Gadea in second and series points leader Alvaro Bautista (both Aprilia) in third. This is Kallio’s second win of the season so far. Reigning World Champion Thomas Luthi (Elit Grand Prix Honda RS125R) finished eighth after crashing heavily in the morning warm-up. The 22-lap race was the first to get underway on the new Assen track and it was Kallio from pole who lead the pack into the new turn one and beyond. Mike di Meglio (FFM Honda RS125R) was among the front-runners in the early stages until the Frenchman faded from the halfway point.
By lap ten Kallio, Bautista and Gadea had separated themselves from the field and led Mattia Pasini (Aprilia) in fourth by 2.4 seconds. By lap 16 Lukas Pesek (Derbi) had overhauled Pasini for fourth but the top trio was now more than five seconds in front.
It was a last lap burst of brilliance from Kallio that secured the win. The Finn lay third until the entry to the final turn before the chicane where he carved through the two Aprilias under braking and then squeezed Bautista at the chicane to broach the line 0.122 seconds ahead of Gadea.
Kallio has now clawed back some points on series leader Bautista who has 160 points to Kallio’s 113, with Gadea on 103. Luthi lies seventh with 62 points.
The Swiss World Champion said, “My start was great and the first few laps also. I could stay with the group I was in and it wasn’t too difficult. I am happy with the points after my problems in qualifying and the crash in the warm-up. That was a real high high-side caused by chatter. The team worked hard to fix that problem and gave me a good bike for the race.”
Gabor Talmacsi (Humangest Honda RS125R), who finished 11th, said, “Conditions today were a bit different from the previous two days of practice and the bike was sliding more. In the final part of the race, I tried to stay close to Pasini and Luthi but I lost the front with three laps to go in a left-hand turn and I risked a crash. So, I lost ground on my rivals and I couldn’t fight for ninth place.”
Thomas Luthi, Elit Honda: 8th"My start was great and the first few laps also. I could stay with the group I was in and it wasn't too difficult. I am happy with the points after my problems in qualifying and the crash in the warm up. That was a real high side caused by chattering. The team worked hard to fix that problem and gave me a good bike for the race."
Gabor Talmacsi, Humangest Honda: 11th"Conditions today were a bit different from the previous two days of practices and the bike was sliding more. In the final part of the race, I tried to stay close to Pasini and Luthi but I lost the front at three laps to go in a left-hand turn and I risked to crash. So, I lost space with my rivals and I couldn't fight for ninth place".
Sandro Cortese, Elit Honda: 14th"Great start today and I was 13th into the first corner. I was racing in a god group but when Olive came passed I could not hold him the bike was good, especially the engine but I was starting to slide around. My pit board told me I had a big advantage over the riders behind so I rode the bike home to take the points."
Mike Di Meglio, FFM Honda: 13th“I’m quite satisfied of the race; I really enjoyed on the bike and it made me feel very confident. After the first lap I was 10th and then I overtook some riders to reach the 5th position. But since the start of the race I was disturbed by a problem with the engine which became lap after lap more and more present. I did all my best to stay with Hector Faubel but the engine had some cut and I couldn’t keep the 5th place. At the end I arrived in 13th place and I scored 3 points. It’s a very positive race for the team and myself because we have made a step forward especially with the chassis; I’m quite confident for the next event that will take place in Donington, a track I particularly like and where I finished in 2nd position last year.”
Bradley Smith, Repsol Honda: 16th"Another sixteenth I'm happy for the sixteenth position but I'm not happy because I missed out on the points again. I was really excited on the first three laps trying to get away with the group. Then I run into the back of a rider which just upset me and then my mind was completely away, I was really nervous and frightened and tried to pass people and more and more people came past and suddenly I decided that I just got to go. And then as soon as I sat down to do it I got in front of the group and went straight into the forty-sixes, putting consistent lap times. It's actually about all what could have been. Obviously finishing among the top fifteen is not easy but it would have definitely been possible looking at the riders that actually did. I'm a bit disappointed but I hope to get my first points at the home Grand Prix."
Joey Litjens, Molenaar Honda: 19th"That was a great race for me, I'm really happy. My start was very good and I was with a group of fast riders racing at a high tempo, I really learned a lot today. The bike was steering well and I had good top speed. My only problem was acceleration you have to be quick to get on the gas of the slow corners and I needed more acceleration, particularly at the Strubben. I made a lot of progress today and have grown in confidence."
Michele Conti, Seedorf Racing World: 20th"I made a prudent start because in the back there is always the risk of crashes, as in Le Mans. Then I got a good pace and I made a good race. I’m satisfied of the improvement and the good feeling with the bike".
Lorenzo Baroni, Humangest Honda: 24th"I did a good start today but I struggled in the straight and couldn't keep the pace of the other riders. I did my best trying to recover in the turns what I was loosing in speed. It hasn't been easy also because I feel pain at my right arm injured on Thursday during the practices".
Tito Rabat, Wurth Honda BQR: 25th"I got a very good start and was with a big group of fast riders running about 16th to 24th. My bike was very good and I stayed with them for about nine laps but at the fist slow corner after the start finish I had a big slide when I got on the gas and many riders passed me. Then Conti touch me and pushed me wide and I couldn't catch the group. At the end my rear tyre was sliding and I was passed by Baroni on the last lap. But I enjoyed my first race at Assen."
Fabrizio Lai, Seedorf Racing World: dnf"I am very good in braking and I try, in this way, to make up for the lack of power of this Honda. But during the race, after few laps, I hadn’t grip on the rear tyre and I couldn’t do good braking in corners. I preferred to retire and not to take more risks."
MotoGP 125cc Round 08 Netherlands Grand Prix at Assen:1 Mika Kallio / Red Bull KTM GP 125
2 Sergio Gadea / Master - MVA Aspar Team
3 Alvaro Bautista / Master - MVA Aspar Team
4 Simone Corsi / Squadra Corse Metis Gilera
5 Lukas Pesek / Derbi Racing
6 Hector Faubel / Master - MVA Aspar Team
7 Mattia Pasini / Master - MVA Aspar Team
8 Thomas Luthi / Elit - Caffe Latte
9 Pablo Nieto / Multimedia Racing
10 Raffaele De Rosa / Multimedia Racing
11 Gabor Talmacsi / Humangest Racing Team
12 Joan Olive / SSM Racing
13 Mike Di Meglio / FFM Honda Grand Prix 125
14 Sandro Cortese / Elit - Caffe Latte
15 Nicolas Terol / Derbi Racing
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