2021 Dutch MotoGP, Assen - Free Practice (3) Results

Vinales stays fastest during a dry and sunny Free Practice 3 for the Dutch MotoGP at Assen, with Yamaha team-mate and title leader Quartararo slotting into second.

Pol Espargaro, who like Vinales has found a struggling Sachsenring bike to be dramatically on form at Assen, held off brother Aleix for third place.

Another rider given a boost his morning was Rossi, who ran as high as fifth in the final stages on his way to ninth and - like Suzuki riders Mir and Rins - now gets rare direct access to Qualifying 2.

A limping Marc Marquez was back on track after yesterday's huge highside, but the Sachsenring winner couldn't break the top ten despite a tow behind Oliveira, the #93 running through the gravel at the final chicane. Both Marquez and team-mate Espargaro have a new Honda chassis to try this weekend.

Zarco, Bagnaia and Binder will be among those joining Marc Marquez in Qualifying 1.

Garrett Gerloff is replacing the injured Franco Morbidelli at Petronas Yamaha, alongside Rossi. The 25-year-old American, currently sixth (one podium) in this year's World Superbike championship for GRT Yamaha, previously took part in (wet) Friday practice at last year's Valencia MotoGP while Rossi was awaiting a PCR result.

With Rossi due to announce his racing future during the summer break, could this weekend effectively be an 'audition' for Gerloff? The American had his second fall of the weekend this morning, but was within two-seconds of Vinales at a track he hasn't ridden at before this weekend.

Assen is returning to the MotoGP calendar for the first time since 2019, having been absent from last year's Covid-reduced line-up. It has been resurfaced since MotoGP's last visit.

All riders set their best times of the weekend so far this morning.

* Rookie

Fastest Friday time:
Maverick Vinales SPA Yamaha 1m 33.072s (FP1)

Official Assen MotoGP records:
Best lap:
Fabio Quartararo FRA Yamaha 1m 32.017s (2019)
Fastest race lap:
Marc Marquez SPA Honda 1m 33.617s (2015)