<\/p>\n
What a Friday at Assen! Speed, consistent pace, an explosive final lap, and\u00a0all day inside the Top 5. The connection between Balda and this track is nothing short of special.<\/p>\n
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\u00a0a 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!<\/p>\n
Free Practice 1: For FP2, the schedule includes a first\u00a0run\u00a0focused 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\u00a0for 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!<\/p>\n
\nP 1\u00a0 \u00a0N. Bulega\u00a0 \u00a01.33.952
\nP 2\u00a0 \u00a0I. Lecuona\u00a0 \u00a0+ 0.256
\nP 3\u00a0 \u00a0S. Lowes\u00a0 \u00a0 + 0.476
\nP 4\u00a0 \u00a0L. Baldassarri\u00a0 \u00a0+ 0.575<\/strong><\/p>\n