TT Assen: P8 DESPITE ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES
Stefan Bradl handed in a considerable performance during Sunday’s race in extremely difficult conditions at the TT Circuit in Assen.
Race day for the series’ round eight began under bright skies but with relatively cool temperatures. However, till MotoGP starting time at 2.00 pm dark clouds appeared and it didn’t take long time, it started to rain. The race got underway in wet conditions. Meanwhile, the rain has been less but shortly before halfway stage it changed to torrential downpours. The race direction decided immediately to stop the race by red flags due to safety reasons. As soon the torrential rain shower subsided again, the TT Assen was re-started after a short break with distance of 12 laps at th 4.5 kilometres long track.
For Stefan Bradl the two races of the day proved different. Whilst the factory rider in Aprilia Racing Team Gresini found his way in difficult condition during the first part he was forced to change the bike for the re-start. Electronic problems required this action. Anyway, the second bike’s setting wasn’t at the same level as the other one so Bradl run into problems to find a feeling and a rhythm for the conditions at all.
#6 Stefan BRADL (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, Aprilia) – 8th (World Championship position 12th, 37 points):
“The first race was ok overall. I was able to find a good feeling with the tyres and for the conditions. Yes, I was racing a good pace. But it was the correct decision by the race direction to stop the race. However, during the break we suffered an electronic problem as we couldn’t read the data from the bike so we decided to race with the second bike at the re-startfor safety reasons. But for this one the geometry was different as well the electronic setting didn’t suite the conditions. But I always tried and did my best to see the flag and collect as possible points. Unfortunate, it was again the confirmation that our second bike isn’t at the same level as the number one. In respect to the setting we were far off. It’s a pity that I wasn’t able to performance likewise during the first part. Nevertheless, an eight place isn’t too bad. We came home in a good position, particularly in respect to these circumstances and we collected important points. However, things throughout the entire weekend went difficult. We struggled with a lot of electronic problems which wasn’t normal. About this fact I’m a bit angry and I hope that we’re able to better the situation for the Sachsenring race. Particularly, this weekend we did a step back instead forward.”
MotoGP™ TT Assen – Race Classification after 12 Laps:
1 #43 Jack MILLER / AUS / Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS / Honda / 22´17.447
2 #93 Marc MARQUEZ / SPA / Repsol Honda Team / Honda / +1.991
3 #45 Scott REDDING / GBR / OCTO Pramac Yakhnich / Ducati / +5.906
8 #6 Stefan BRADL / GER / Aprilia Racing Team Gresini / Aprilia / +23.603
MotoGP™ World Standings:
1 #93 Marc MARQUEZ / SPA / Repsol Honda Team / Honda / 145
2 #99 Jorge LORENZO / SPA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / 121-
3 #46 Valentino ROSSI / ITA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / 103
12 #6 Stefan BRADL / GER / Aprilia Racing Team Gresini / Aprilia / 37
Next race: 17 July, Sachsenring, Hohenstein-Ernstthal / Germany