Navarro takes third, Quartararo fourth and Herrera twenty-first on opening day at demanding Assen circuit.
The Assen circuit has a reputation for being hard to ride, fast and unforgiving of any mistake. Today the three Repsol Moto3 riders rode for the first time at the track, and made a quick adaptation to the Dutch track. On the opening day of the Dutch TT, all three made very good progress throughout the two practice sessions.
Jorge Navarro took the best results of the trio, setting the third best time of the day. He was 0.426s off Danny Kent, who put in the top time. The Spaniard’s best lap was a 1:42.286, and he racked up a total of 37 laps. Teammate Fabio Quartararo was fourth in both sessions, and his quickest lap of the two sessions left him 0.266s off his teammate and 0.692s off Kent.
Maria Herrera finished twenty-first on her first encounter with the Dutch track. After taking her first Grand Prix point in Barcelona two weeks ago, the young Repsol rider made a good start to the weekend and ended up 1.723s off the best time of the day.
Tomorrow will see the third free practice and qualifying to decide the grid for Saturday.
Fabio Quartararo
4th – 1:42.552, 35 laps, 159 km
“It was a bit tricky, because there are still some corners where I need to improve my lines and go much faster. We are learning at a circuit that I like a lot, especially the fast corners. In the morning it was a little colder and I think this afternoon went much better. We saw that Kent set a very good lap and it will be difficult to keep up with him, but we’ll try.”
Jorge Navarro
3rd – 1:42.286, 37 laps, 168 km
“It’s been a very good day. We have come to a new circuit and from the outset we have adapted very quickly. In the first practice I dedicated my time to learning the track and in the second we started to work on the bike with used tyres. We achieved good times and the pace was good. When we put new tyres on we got the times as well, so I’m happy with the work we have done today. The bike is working very well and my adaptation to the ‘Cathedral’ is going well. I still have to adjust a little to the fast final corner, which we take in sixth and at more than 200 Km/h. I hope to pick it up as the weekend progresses.”
María Herrera
21st – 1:43.583, 37 laps, 168 km
“Today was the first time I rode at Assen and I liked it. It is an amazing circuit, very fast, just the way I like. In the first practice I learnt the track and gradually lowered my times, then we focused on trying things out and trying to improve the setup. On the last lap I was slowed down a bit by another rider who prevented me from improving further. I’m happy and overall this first day has been positive. We have done a great job and I feel good with the bike. Tomorrow, in the last free practice, I hope to take a step forward –then another in qualifying.”
