Italiano
FROM THE SCENT OF A PODIUM TO A DOUBLE CRASH ON SUNDAY IN ARAGON!
In motorcycling, it’s a short step from the possibility of a dream Sunday to a double zero; the bitter reality of our sport was fully experienced by Team Go Eleven and Lorenzo Baldassarri on the final day at Motorland Aragon. Battling for the podium in the Superpole Race, recovering at an incredible pace, he crashed on the penultimate lap while preparing to overtake Sam Lowes; forced to start Race 2 from tenth place, he was immediately involved in an accident on Turn 1, though he was not someone’s fault. Two zeros that hurt, but from which he bounced back immediately, keeping the conviction of being fast!
In the Warm Up, the SCX rear tyre was further tested in preparation for the short race. Balda completed five laps, all on the high 48; the modification to the rear gave him further confidence, showing him ready and excited for the Superpole Race.
Warm Up:
P 1 N. Bulega 1.47.903
P 2 S. Lowes + 0.051
P 3 Y. Montella + 0.633
…
P 7 L. Baldassarri + 0.951
The start of the Superpole Race wasn’t perfect, but on the first lap, the number 34 managed to weave through the group well, moving back up to sixth on the grid. He passed Alex Lowes for fifth, and a few laps later it was time to attack Surra. He exploited his strong point, between Turns 4 and 5, and took fourth place. Balda’s pace was incredible; he was the fastest rider on the track and closed the gap on the three leaders who were battling for the win. Just at the most crucial moment, with two laps to go, Balda felt a podium and prepared to attack, but right on that Turn 5 that had given so much in the race, he lost the front. A crash, the rider was Ok, the podium slipped away, and he started Race 2 from tenth on the grid; racing is for trying, and for the first time this season, the Go Eleven rider was one step away from two factory Ducatis, one step away from fighting for the win.
Superpole Race:
P 1 N. Bulega 18’08.215
P 2 I. Lecuona + 0.594
P 3 S. Lowes + 1.240
…
DNF L. Baldassarri
Unfortunately, Race 2 was an unlucky consequence of the morning; the Ducati wheelied at the start, and Balda was passed by several riders. Then, in Turn 1, Vierge made a mistake, losing control of the bike. Lorenzo behind him was unable to avoid him, and both crashed. Baldassarri, though blameless, suffered a nasty blow to his right wrist. Subsequent checks revealed no fractures, but he needed some rest to get back to 100%.
Race 2:
P 1 N. Bulega 32’50.074
P 2 I. Lecuona + 0.786
P 3 S. Lowes + 6.506
…
DNF L. Baldassarri
An unlucky Sunday to say the least, from dreaming to finding themselves with two crashes and a nasty bruise; Team Go Eleven must console themselves with the speed they proved throughout the weekend, building on the good performance up to the Superpole Race and the significant progress made between Saturday and Sunday. Don’t give up, Balda, now comes the home race!
Following the crash and resulting bruise to his right wrist, Team Go Eleven and Lorenzo Baldassarri have opted to forgo the Michelin tests scheduled for tomorrow here at Motorland. The goal is to fully recover for the Misano weekend, scheduled for two weeks from now.
Lorenzo Baldassarri (Rider):
“I’m really disappointed about today. We were fast and were fighting for the first time near the two Aruba Ducatis in the Superpole Race. I had a better pace and was recovering, but then unfortunately I crashed in Turn 5, which also compromised Race 2, finding myself starting behind. Unfortunately, the start is also a weakness for us right now. We need to work on it because I’m losing too much there, and that’s important. I couldn’t have avoided the accident in Race 2. I’m just disappointed to have to come back from here with a heavy zero, when we had the pace to achieve something big. I hit my right wrist, it’s not broken, but I want to recover for Misano. I want to thank the team for the work they did. I felt good on the bike today and I want to start again from there!”
Denis Sacchetti (Team Manager):
“Today we came close to a great result, but unfortunately it turned out to be a day to forget. We made a big step forward with the bike and with Balda’s riding between yesterday and today, so much so that we were close to the front in the Superpole Race. The mistake was understandable, the podium was there, and we needed to take a little more risk; on the other hand, we know that the Superpole Race affects Race 2, and that’s what happened. Now let’s go home and recover for Misano, where we can fight at the front again!”
SATURDAY PICS: CLICK HERE
