Assen MotoGP: Marco Simoncelli fastest in first free practice

Marco Simoncelli was the fastest man on track for the opening 250 free practice of the weekend for the Dutch TT in Assen on Saturday.

The Gilera rider recorded a best lap of 1:40.144, just over 0.3secs ahead of second fastest man Alvaro Bautista.

Third was Hector Barbera on the Team Toth Aprilia as he posted a best time of 1:40.610. The Spaniard was the initial fastest man on track before Simoncelli shot to the top of the timesheets after 13 minutes.

Bautista did briefly make an appearance as the fastes man after 25 minutes as he posted a 1:40.539, but Simoncelli was back ahead again with 17 minutes left with a 1:40.261. He then went on to better this with just a minute left on the clock and was able to hang on to the top place as the chequered flag dropped.

Donington Park winner Mika Kallio was down in 12th place, only managing a 1:42.123 so will be looking to improve in the opening qualifying session this afternoon.

Ireland’s Eugene Laverty was 21st with a best lap of 1:44.340 as he looks to overcome his steering damper problems he experienced at Donington Park.

 

Assen MotoGP 250 free practice one results:

1 Marco SIMONCELLI ITA Metis Gilera GILERA 1’40.144
2 Alvaro BAUTISTA SPA Mapfre Aspar Team APRILIA 1’40.467
3 Hector BARBERA SPA Team Toth Aprilia APRILIA 1’40.610
4 Aleix ESPARGARO SPA Lotus Aprilia APRILIA 1’41.253
5 Alex DEBON SPA Lotus Aprilia APRILIA 1’41.389
6 Hector FAUBEL SPA Mapfre Aspar Team APRILIA 1’41.750
7 Lukas PESEK CZE Auto Kelly – CP APRILIA 1’41.799
8 Hiroshi AOYAMA JPN Red Bull KTM 250 KTM 1’41.846
9 Yuki TAKAHASHI JPN JiR Team Scot 250 HONDA 1’42.007
10 Thomas LUTHI SWI Emmi – Caffe Latte APRILIA 1’42.029
11 Fabrizio LAI ITA Campetella Racing GILERA 1’42.052
12 Mika KALLIO FIN Red Bull KTM 250 KTM 1’42.123
13 Roberto LOCATELLI ITA Metis Gilera GILERA 1’42.153
14 Julian SIMON SPA Repsol KTM 250cc KTM 1’42.300
15 Karel ABRAHAM CZE Cardion AB Motoracing APRILIA 1’42.466
16 Mattia PASINI ITA Polaris World APRILIA 1’42.472
17 Ratthapark WILAIROT THA Thai Honda PTT SAG HONDA 1’42.500
18 Manuel POGGIALI RSM Campetella Racing GILERA 1’42.885
19 Imre TOTH HUN Team Toth Aprilia APRILIA 1’43.572
20 Alex BALDOLINI ITA Matteoni Racing APRILIA 1’43.870
21 Eugene LAVERTY IRL Blusens Aprilia APRILIA 1’44.340
22 Frederik WATZ SWE Jaap Kingma Racing APRILIA 1’45.251
23 Russel GOMEZ SPA Blusens Aprilia APRILIA 1’45.472
24 Doni Tata PRADITA INA Yamaha Pertamina Indonesia YAMAHA 1’45.787