Italiano
EXCELLENT FP 1, LITTLE TECHNICAL ISSUE IN THE AFTERNOON, GOOD FEELING AT THE END OF FRIDAY!
It was a mixed feeling Friday at Most; strong first session, Balda gained confidence with the track, showing great agility in the chicanes and smoothness through the fast corners. The second session was slowed by a small technical issue, which was resolved towards the end. Top 5 in the morning, Top 5 in the afternoon before the forced pit. An overall positive Day 1 for Team Go Eleven and the number 34!
In FP1, the Italian rider went to the track trying to regain confidence with the Ducati Panigale V4-R on the unique Czech track. Fast right from the start, he moved into the top positions, dropping to the high 1.31. He struggled in the first sector, unable to consistently repeat the braking into Turn 1. After a short pit stop and a rear shock adjustment, Balda returned to the track, immediately repeating his best, then dropping to a 1:31.7, good for fifth place!
Free Practice 1:
P 1 N. Bulega 1.31.130
P 2 S. Lowes + 0.258
P 3 I. Lecuona + 0.313
P 4 Y. Montella + 0.430
P 5 L. Baldassarri + 0.589
Shortly before FP2, a few drops of rain came over the track; the asphalt remained dry and all riders took to the track normally. Balda immediately found good speed, the first and second sector showed the best time, only to then lose some ground in the third sector; fifth place in the top twenty minutes of the session. While braking at the first corner, he felt a small technical problem that forced him to return to the pits; a minor issue, but one that required the mechanics to work for about twenty minutes. With five minutes to go, Balda managed to get back on track, checked that everything was fine on the yellow Panigale, and also put in a good final lap, improving in the third sector.
Free Practice 2:
P 1 G. Gerloff 1.30.791
P 2 N. Bulega + 0.066
P 3 S. Lowes + 0.142
…
P 9 L. Baldassarri + 0.497
The speed is there here at Most, Balda is in good shape and feels positive ahead of tomorrow; the time lost this afternoon was certainly unnecessary, as it wasn’t possible to understand race pace. It’s a good sign, however, that the issue was fixed, allowing for a couple of final laps, where #34 was able to clear up some doubts. This afternoon, braking into Turn 1, one of the crucial points on this old-school track, seems to have improved. Tomorrow there will be some work to do and make up for, but we’re off to a good start!
Lorenzo Baldassarri (Rider):
“Positive feelings on this first day at Most! This afternoon, unfortunately, we were stopped by a little technical problem, which meant we weren’t able to complete many laps, but fortunately the team was able to fix it and I could complete a couple more laps. I’m very confident for tomorrow; we need to stay focused and keep pushing and improving. This track is a bit unusual, old-school, but today I felt good, and tomorrow I want to raise the bar!”
FRIDAY PICS: CLICK HERE
