Ducati’s Andrea Iannone set the fastest time of Friday’s free practice sessions in Assen, Posting a best lap of 1.33.591. Tomorrow’s qualifying session will however be irrelevant to the Italian, as he will be forced to start from the back of the grid after being handed a penalty for his clash with Jorge Lorenzo in Barcelona three weeks ago.
Valentino Rossi ended the session second fastest with a time of 1.33.595 on the Movistar Yamaha. Speaking at Thursday’s press conference, Rossi stressed the importance of being fast from the outset. He’s keen to repeat his victory at the last round in Barcelona and of course his infamous battle with Marc Marquez at last year’s Dutch TT.
Marquez, who had topped the timing sheets for most of Free Practice 2 was eventually third with a time of 1.33.724 on his Repsol Honda. Maverick Vinales was fourth, just three tenths off Iannone. He has been trying out a new chassis in a bid to find improved grip from his Ecstar Suzuki at the end of the race. Lorenzo was fifth on the second Movistar Yamaha. Both he and Rossi also tested new chassis but ended the session on the ones they raced in Barcelona.
Andrea Dovizioso set the sixth fastest time on his Ducati, followed by Danilo Petrucci in tseventh on the Pramac Ducati. Aleix Espargaro was eighth on the second Ecstar Suzuki, with his younger brother Pol in ninth on the Monster Tech 3 Yamaha.
Scott Redding ended the day in 10th for Pramac Ducati, followed by Dani Pedrosa struggling down in 11th on his Repsol Honda. Hector Barbera recovered from a heavy tumble to finish the day in 12th on his Avintia Ducati. Cal Crutchlow finished 13th fastest after having a strong start to FP2. The Brit can focus on building on a season-best finish of sixth in Barcelona, after announcing in yesterday’s press conference he will stay with LCR Honda in 2017.
Bradley Smith continues to get to grips with his Monster Tech 3 Yamaha, ending the day in 14th. He was followed by Eugene Laverty in 15th, who fell from his Aspar Ducati in the final moments of FP2.
FP1 times were irrelevant today as the session gradually dried after the earlier rain. However, FP2 times could prove crucial to tomorrow’s qualifying. With the weather expected to play a part throughout the weekend, FP2 could decide the 10 riders straight through to Q2. Rain is expected sometime tomorrow and most riders practiced a bike swap in the event of a flag to flag race on Sunday.
FP3 takes place tomorrow at 0855 BST with FP4 at 1230 BST. Qualifying 1 is at 1310 BST and Q2 at 1335 BST.
