MASSIVE HIGHSIDE IN RACE 1, RIDER (ALMOST) FIT!

MASSIVE HIGHSIDE IN RACE 1, RIDER (ALMOST) FIT!

Today there was the opportunity for an excellent race, it could have been a good one, but once again we were unable to get the result. Straight in turn one to avoid contact, then a furious comeback (even with the seventh fastest lap of the race) until lap nine, when a highside in turn 7 forced Philipp to be transported to the Medical Centre. Nothing broken, luckily, just a lot of pain in the back.

On Mandalika’s Saturday Oettl seems to have found a good starting point, so much so that he opens the day with a great pace, showing a consistent rhythm for the race. The changes made yesterday seem to have given the desired results, so much so that he finishes in seventh position, riding below 34.

Free Practice 3:
P 1  T. Razgatlioglu   1.32.294
P 2   A. Locatelli   + 1.055
P 3   A. Bautista   + 1.197

P 7   P. Oettl   + 1.698

The Superpole is two-sided; the first exit, very fast, with the German rider entering the top 6, improves half a second compared to the morning and is a candidate for a great result; the second, with many errors in the two “good” laps that did not allow him to improve the time, slipping out of the Top Ten. Anyway, twelfth on the grid, not a bad grid placement looking for the Race, also considering the excellent pace shown.

Superpole:
P 1   T. Razgatlioglu   1.31.371
P 2   J. Rea   + 1.052
P 3   A. Locatelli   + 1.092

P 12   P. Oettl   + 2.122

Race 1, all expectations collapsed on the first lap. After a good start, Redding slows down in front of him and Philipp goes wide to avoid him; 4.5 seconds from the penultimate position, but the pace is there. At the end of the first lap he already has the opportunity to pass some riders, on the second lap he sets a 1.33.882, a very strong time in line with the Top 6. But during the race he is unable to maintain consistency; another mistake forces him to lose another second, then he comes back again quickly closing the gap with the fight for the Top Ten. Turn seven, perhaps caught up in the moment of the strong comeback, Philipp is slightly off the line, suffers a massive highside, hitting hard the back on the asphalt. So much pain, but after being transported to the medical center, everything seems fine, nothing broken, luckily. However, the moral pain of a missed opportunity remains.

Race 1:
P 1   T. Razgatlioglu   32’47.209
P 2   A. Bautista   + 4.324
P 3   J. Rea   + 11.855

DNF   P. Oettl

Tomorrow morning the Warm Up will be essential to properly evaluate the conditions of the back, then if everything is in order, there will be time to make up for it. Here in Indonesia, as soon as you go off the ‘normal’ line the tarmac is super slippery which is why there were a lot of highsides and so many injuries over the weekend. One night to reset, rest and tomorrow come back motivated and energized like this morning!

Sunday Schedule (local time / Italian Time)
Warm Up:  08.30 – 08.45 / 01.30 – 01.45
Superpole Race: 10.30 / 03.30
Race 2: 13.30 / 06.30
Philipp Oettl (Rider):
“I had a really good start, then I was behind Redding, he went straight, and me, too, not to collide with him. I went completely straight, but then I came back, and I went again completely straight. I had a really really strong pace, but around mid race I had a huge highside, and now I have a lot of pain in the back. nothing is broken, so I am fit for tomorrow, but I will see my real conditions after Warm Up. Today it was a good day, my feeling is good and I know I could be in the Top 8, cause we worked in a good way. After the first corner mistake, I tried to fight, but probably my focus was gone and I just gave it all to come back! If tomorrow I am ok, we can have good results!”

Denis Sacchetti (Team Manager):
“There’s not much to say today. We were calm for the race because we had a very good pace, but at the first corner Philipp went straight to avoid Redding in front of him. Our race ended there, because then Philipp attempted a desperate recovery and on this track you can’t miss the line otherwise you’ll go onto the dirt. Unfortunately he crashed while trying to make up for the time lost with the mistake. What a pity! f
Fortunately nothing broken, but he’s in a bit of pain everywhere. Let’s hope he gets back on his feet by tomorrow!”

SATURDAY PICS 1: CLICK HERE
SATURDAY PICS 2: CLICK HERE