A topsy-turvy qualifying due to wet weather saw Aleix Espargaro on pole, the first time for a CRT bike. And the bad weather returned for the MotoGP race, causing tyre confusion. Assen in the damp? You had to fancy Rossi for a surprise victory, although he was starting from pit lane...
Is there any point building it up any more?
As the lights changed on a wet race, it was the Ducati of Dovizioso in the lead with Marquez behind. The Ducati goes well in the wet, could it break Marc's winning streak? Part way through lap one it wasn't looking good as Marc was now in the lead and looking to check out as the rain started to fall again. And then stop, causing panic in the pit lane as a few riders pulled in to swap bikes with wrecked rear wets. Then, with 21 laps to go, the leaders pulled in. And the rain started again!
With Lorenzo now in front, what would happen to the riders on slicks? They would struggle, as Marc proved by taking to the gravel, handling his place back to Dovi along with the lead of the race as everyone pitted. You have to say, flag to flag races are certainly exciting.
With the chaos over, it was Dovi in the lead by four seconds from Marc, could Marquez close down the gap in the remaining 17 laps? A few laps later the gap was dropping with ominous speed, although once again the rain was falling. However down the order is was a case of 'what if' as Rossi carved through the field. But in the pits bikes were being warmed up again...
That's eight out of eight for 2014!
With ten laps to go, Marc was back in the lead and it was getting to the point in the race that even if the rain fell, riders weren't likely to change bikes again. With no rain and a clear track, Marc easily broke Dovi's challenge to take his eighth win from eight races. Dovi got an excellent second and Pedrosa third.
Assen always attracts loads of Brits and Sam Lowes looked on form to give them something to cheer as the heavens opened just before the start of the Moto2 race, but Gino Rea also goes very well in the damp. From the holeshot, Lowes led the pack. Could we be about to see a 'Walker WSB' Assen moment? Although Corsi was quick to take the lead, Sam was in no mood to give us and stuck to his tail while Rea was into the top ten. Then, sadly, Sam hit the deck. Twice. Then Corsi crashed out! Anthony West for a Moto2 win anyone? The Aussie is mustard in the wet and thoroughly deserved a win. Rea scored a superb 11th.
The Moto3 race was another nightmare for Jack Miller, who crashed out on the first lap, but not quite as spectacularly as Ajo who nearly went into space! Alex Marquez made the most of his rivals' mistakes, taking an easy win from the battling duo of Rins and Oliveira. However it was the scrap for fourth that was the most amusing as a pack of riders all crossed the line together.
MotoGP
1. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team)
2. Dovizioso (Ducati Team)
3. Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team)
Moto2
1. West (QMMF Racing Team)
2. Vinales (Paginas Amarillas HP 40)
3. Kalio (Marc VDS Racing Team)
Moto3
1: Alex Marquez (Estrella Galicia 0,0)
2: Rins (Estrella Galicia 0,0)
3: Oliveira (Mahindra Racing)
Cal Crutchlow (MotoGP) - 9
Bradley Smith (MotoGP) - 8
Michael Laverty (MotoGP) - 21
Scott Redding (MotoGP) - 12
Sam Lowes (Moto2) - DNF
Gino Rea - (Moto2) - 11
John McPhee (Moto3) -10
Danny Kent (Moto3) -8