Moto3: Martin takes fifth successive pole position

Jorge Martin has taken his fifth successive pole position in the Moto3 class at the Dutch TT, dashing the hopes of local favourite Bo Bendsneyder in the rain-struck qualifying session at Assen with an impressive lap in the final moments of the session.

Martin, who has made qualifying his own this season in wet or dry conditions, eventually took the top spot by nearly a second, ending the day 0.829 clear of the Dutchman, with a strong showing from Nicolo Bulega to round out the front row of the grid in third.

Thai rookie Nakarin Atiratphuvapat was an impressive fourth place, making the most of the damp conditions to finish ahead of the Mahindra of Marco Bezzecchi and the Honda of Aron Canet, with championship contender Joan Mir leading row three after a fall in the session. Tony Arbolino, Manuel Pagliani and Tatsuki Suzuki rounded out the top ten.

British Talent Cup Honda rider John McPhee was a disappointing 19^th, however, unable to make the most of wet conditions that are normally his forte to finish the session four seconds off Martin’s pace at the front.