Veijer challenges World Cup leader at TT Assen: ‘Can easily keep up with him’

NOS

NOS Sport•vandaag, 12:29

Tens of thousands of fans on the TT circuit in Assen cheering him on as the winner of the Moto3 race. That scenario must become reality for Collin Veijer on Sunday. The 19-year-old Staphorster is third in the current World Cup standings and wants nothing more than to triumph in front of his own audience this weekend.

That’s part of it, Veijer knows. “Everything is possible.”

The down-to-earth teenager is not dissatisfied with his second season in Moto3, the third road racing class in motorsport after MotoGP and Moto2. He is collecting podium places and has already won a grand prix this year. “No, we certainly cannot complain. But we are not yet first, so there is plenty to improve.”

Veijer is number three in the rankings, with 95 points. The big favorite in the Moto3 class in Assen, the Colombian David Alonso, is firmly in the lead in the battle for the world title with 143 points.

Live stream TT Assen at NOS

All races of the TT in Assen can be followed directly on NOS.nl and in the NOS app on Sunday. The Moto3 race is at 11 a.m., the Moto2 race is at 12:15 p.m. and the MotoGP race is at 2 p.m.

Veijer is already competing for victory at a young age. Last year he won a grand prix in his debut season, the first Dutchman since 1990. This year he won his second major prize at the Jerez circuit in Spain.

He celebrated that victory with a wheelie. “To be the first to cross the line is the best feeling there is.”

Stupid mistake

Yet not everything goes well this season. In the US at the Austin circuit, Veijer took the lead, but crashed off his bike. And that with four laps to go.

“That crash was my own stupid mistake. I steered into the corner a little harder than in the previous rounds. And my tire was already at its end. To still do that, with an older tire, was not very smart. I was quite grumpy, yes. That also lasted a day.”

Moto3 rider Veijer wants to win TT Assen: ‘Always aim for the highest possible’

And then there is the battle with Alonso, who has won a lot of points this season. Still, Veijer thinks he can handle him.

“He is very hyped. He is incredibly fast, we cannot ignore that. But in the race we can easily keep up with him. At Mugello (the circuit in Italy, ed.) I even closed the gap completely. No, I don’t think he stands head and shoulders above the rest.”

The difference between the two drivers is mainly in height. The 18-year-old Alonso is only 1.62 meters, Veijer 1.78 meters. Not very big by Dutch standards. But in the racing world that’s quite a long time, he says.

Highest achievable

It is also a bit heavier, a difference of about four kilograms. In the Moto3, with lighter engines, this is a disadvantage. “I just can’t get lighter,” says Veijer. “I’m already very low in body fat. Otherwise I would get sick very easily. I have to deal with that, so be it.”

In any case, after his seventh place last year during the TT in Assen, Veijer wants to win this year. “I always aim for the highest possible result. Here too.”

2024-06-27 10:29:46
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