The sun shines and the weather is hot at the Assen circuit for the 125cc first qualifying practice of the Holland GP that will traditionally take place on a saturday. Riders and teams could exploit the perfect track coonditions since the morning practices. Aprilia performed well, placing two RSAs in the first provisional row and six bikes within the first ten positions.
Simone Corsi, on his RSA of the Jack&Jones WRB team, got the provisional pole with the time of 1’45”533. The Roman rider confirms to be very fast also during the practices, a clear sign of his maturity and of his chances to attain high objectives. Bradley Smith got the second position, 0”340 behind. The young English rider seems to have finally found the right feeling with his bike after his last few races. Olive, Belson team and Di Meglio, Ajo Motorsport team, complete the first proivisonal row 0”363 and 0”364 from Corsi respectively.
“I am happy – said Corsi – I had a good pace this morning as well and I could improve it during the qualifying practice. The wind bothered me a bit but I am the fastest. The bike is fine and we can still improve for Saturday”.
“I am satisfied – said Smith – I have finally found a good feeling with my bike after the problems we had encountered in the last races. I had a good pace this morning, this afternoon I was a bit slower because of the wind and the traffic which penalised me. My lap time is not brilliant but is it still a good result. There is still room for improvement especially the suspensions. My team is doing a great job”.
The German Cortese performed a good practice and got the fifth position with the time of 1’45”935. Just 0.0933 behind is the Donington winner Scott Redding, while Nico Terol completes the second provisional row 0”606 from Corsi’s pole. Sergio Gadea is ninth, followed by Bradl. Talmacsi is thirteenth, Stefano Bianco fourteenth, Iannone twenthird, while Roberto Lacalendola is the thirty-first.
