STEFAN BRADL CLAIMS OPEN-POLE AGAIN
It was a very positive qualifying practice for Stefan Bradl and the Athinà Forward Racing team as the 25 year young German rider qualified for 13th position on the grid for tomorrow’s round eight at the historical TT Circuit in Assen.
In doing so Bradl displayed his Open class winning performance again after he claimed victory in this category for the very first time in Barcelona two weeks’ ago. The Yamaha Forward rider set an excellent 1´33.789 this afternoon and due to that he leads the Open standings after qualifying practice. The goal is to repeat the exploit of Montmelò and shorten the gap that separates him from Barbera for the Open class leadership.
#6 Stefan BRADL (Athinà Forward Racing, Yamaha Forward), Grid position 13 – 1´33.789 (2/7):
“I’m very happy about this qualifying practice because it was definitely our best this season so far. We made improvements since Mugello and Barcelona and we’re capable of to continue this way since then which is the most important fact for me. In doing so we can show that we’re in a good shape meanwhile and that we’re strong to fight for the Open class win in every race. I’m really happy about this. We did a good job during this qualifying session, we worked a lot with the bike and almost everything went well as well also in the right direction so I look forward to tomorrow’s race with confidence. For sure we’re capable of finishing in a strong position but Assen is always a long and tough race, also demanding to the tyres so hopefully I can do a good race. Anyway; I think we’re very well prepared.”
Qualifying Classification:
1 Valentino ROSSI / ITA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / 1´32.627
2 Aleix ESPARGARO / SPA / Team SUZUKI ECSTAR / Suzuki / 1´32.858 +0.231
3 Marc MARQUEZ / SPA / Repsol Honda Team / Honda / 1´32.886 +0.259
13 Stefan BRADL / GER / Athiná Forward Racing / Yamaha Forward / 1´33.789 +1.162 (Q1)