Photo: motogp.com capture
The proceedings of the only Saturday race in the MotoGP calendar have gone underway, with the first Free Practice. Valentino Rossi took his newest frame to the Dutch track and managed to post the fastest lap time of the kick-off session, 1'34.547. This lap also became the fastest lap at Assen.
Marc Marquez was only 0.195 slower than the Doctor and finished the morning outing in the second position, but it looks like he's not yet in the best terms with his Honda. MM93 crashed again early in the session, apparently in Turn 15, after he lost the rear, and the bike wobbled strongly, almost throwing him from the saddle.
Marquez managed to sit back on the bike but had to run off the track. He crossed the gravel trap and entered the still damp grass, heading fast towards the barriers, and being forced to lay the bike. He was unscathed and managed to restart the bike with help from the marshals.
Marquez also has a few more moments in the morning session, including running off out of Turn 11. He is obviously pushing really hard to reduce the gap separating him from the leading positions, and we surely hope to see him finish the race at Assen.
We can expect to see a fierce Pedrosa this weekend, as it goes without saying that he's up to showing his best riding after the prolonged pause. And with him on the podium two weeks ago in Barcelona, he means business.
Pol Espargaro rounded up the FP1 top five at Assen, 0.155s slower than Lorenzo. Smith, Vinales and Aleix Espargaro were next, followed by Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso and Pramac's Danilo Petrucci.
Premier class action comes back at 14:05 local time with Free Practice 2. Don't forget, the MotoGP Motul TT Assen round takes place on Saturday instead of the usual Sunday, at 14:00 local time.
At least his bike did not catch on fire, as Taylor Mackenzie's did in British Superbike.
Marquez managed to sit back on the bike but had to run off the track. He crossed the gravel trap and entered the still damp grass, heading fast towards the barriers, and being forced to lay the bike. He was unscathed and managed to restart the bike with help from the marshals.
Marquez also has a few more moments in the morning session, including running off out of Turn 11. He is obviously pushing really hard to reduce the gap separating him from the leading positions, and we surely hope to see him finish the race at Assen.
Dani Pedrosa shows a great pace in FP 1
It couldn't be any clearer that the massive arm surgery Dani Pedrosa had earlier this year, and which kept him sidelined for three rounds, was the very thing he needed. Having battled arm pump for a year, Pedrosa is back in action with renewed forces, and he finished FP1 0.018 seconds slower than his teammate Marquez, and two tenths ahead of Jorge Lorenzo.We can expect to see a fierce Pedrosa this weekend, as it goes without saying that he's up to showing his best riding after the prolonged pause. And with him on the podium two weeks ago in Barcelona, he means business.
Pol Espargaro rounded up the FP1 top five at Assen, 0.155s slower than Lorenzo. Smith, Vinales and Aleix Espargaro were next, followed by Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso and Pramac's Danilo Petrucci.
Premier class action comes back at 14:05 local time with Free Practice 2. Don't forget, the MotoGP Motul TT Assen round takes place on Saturday instead of the usual Sunday, at 14:00 local time.
At least his bike did not catch on fire, as Taylor Mackenzie's did in British Superbike.
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