Italiano
SECOND PLACE AT THE END OF ASSEN’S FRIDAY!
What a Friday at Assen! Speed, consistent pace, an explosive final lap, and all day inside the Top 5. The connection between Balda and this track is nothing short of special.
In FP1, #34 took a couple of laps to find the right rhythm; an initial pit stop to fine-tune the setup, and then 18 consecutive laps, riding a convincing 1:34.5 towards the end of the session. Good pace, always in the high 34s, confirmed a solid FP1. He finished fourth overall, half a second off first place. Not a bad debut at Assen aboard the Ducati Go Eleven!
Free Practice 1:
P 1 N. Bulega 1.33.952
P 2 I. Lecuona + 0.256
P 3 S. Lowes + 0.476
P 4 L. Baldassarri + 0.575
For FP2, the schedule includes a first run focused on race pace and finding something more for the long distance, followed by the final minutes dedicated to testing the SCX, the qualifying tyre here in the Netherlands. This choice was dictated by the fact that very cool conditions are forecast for Saturday’s first session, which isn’t ideal for the extra grip of the soft tyre. Twelve laps, all between 34.5 and 34 high, giving extra motivation for the race. With fifteen minutes to go, Balda switches to the soft tyre; on the first lap, he drops a few tenths, then on his penultimate attempt, he manages to get the best out of the first and second sectors, finishing second, breaking the 34 barrier. A perfect session to say the least, which bodes well for Saturday!
Free Practice 2:
P 1 N. Bulega 1.33.687
P 2 L. Baldassarri + 0.276
P 3 I. Lecuona + 0.330
The tyre choice has already solved on Friday at Assen; the solution for the race will be the classic SC0. Physical condition is also positive; the risk of arm pump seems avoided by the moment. The goal remains the top five, which will be difficult, with all the riders from second place onwards being very close, and a lot will depend on qualifying!
Lorenzo Baldassarri (Rider):
“Today was a fantastic day, we enjoyed the Assen circuit on this amazing Ducati! I’m happy with the atmosphere in the garage; we’re working step by step, but well, and improving with every run. We’ve managed to be consistent and progressive, so I’m happy with my race pace. I expect our rivals to improve a lot tomorrow, and we need to do the same. I’m focusing on qualifying; here I feel like we can bring home a good result!”
FRIDAY PICS: CLICK HERE
