Espargaro quickest on first day at Assen, Rabat and Pons looking to improve on Friday
Photo Copyright: Simona Vogel for Vroom Media
Pol Espargaró was the fastest rider in the afternoon on a drytrack and also was among the fastest in the wet afternoon session. Tito Rabat was 7th in the first practicee and also made progress in the wet. Axel Pons suffered physical problems in the morning session, but stayed within the Top 10 on a wet track.
The three Pons riders have some extra work to do for the second day and the race, besides going fast they also have to adapt to the constantly changing weather conditions at the Dutch track.
1. POL ESPARGARÓ, 1.38.988 “I’m happy with the first day of practice, because on a dry track we’ve been fastest and in teh wet we posted the fifth fastest laptime. At the end of the session, with the track almost dry and the setup for wet conditions, I preferred not to risk anything and those who did passed me. I am calm and optimistic for the race, although tomorrow we have to keep working hard and always adapt to the special weather conditions at Assen.”
7. TITO RABAT, 1.39.782 “In the first practice I had some problems with the setup, but looking at the telemetry we found out what they were and I expect to be faster when we get back on a dry track. In the afternoon in wet conditions I had a better feeling than in Le Mans, but when it dried up things got more difficult. I think in the dry we have found some good things and from there the only thing left is me opening the gas.”
24. AXEL PONS, 1.40.648 “In the morning in dry conditions I struggled to get on the pace and I had some problems with the arm which kept me from posting a good laptime. In the afternoon I was satisfied with how it went in the wet, always in the Top 10, but then it started to dry up and I lost the confidence and plenty of the positions. We have to keep working and I hope tomorrow we can get a good position on the grid.”
Source: Pons Racing
Photo Copyright: Simona Vogel for Vroom Media
