After the rain which fell on the Assen region during the night from Thursday to Friday, a wet track and a fine drizzle awaited the Moto3 riders for the first session of the weekend.
Fortunately, and although the weather was uncertain throughout the weekend, the rain stopped a few moments before the MotoGP grid entered the track and did not reappear all day.
The chassis war
As a reminder, in MotoGP, the engines are sealed (or sealed), limited in number over the season (7 for Yamaha, Ducati and Honda, 9 for Suzuki and Aprilia) and frozen. To summarize, before the start of the season, each manufacturer offers a final version of its engine which will be used by all the brand's teams, “The regulations require that the engine used during the season be the same for everyone,” Explain Dani Pedrosa, excluded from the Top 10 on Friday.
But if it is the same for everyone, it cannot correspond to all styles. “It is forbidden to make an engine for one that would be different for the other. Today, the adjustments made to the Honda engine come from Marc, for the most part. » So Pedrosa has to play with an engine that doesn't suit his style. “There was nothing that worked today. I had no feeling and we didn't progress between FP1 and FP2, regardless of the tires. When changing gear, the motorcycle moves a lot and becomes uncontrollable. We remain positive. Tomorrow we will try to get into the Top 10 in the third free practice session and build our confidence before qualifying. »
Today, both Pedrosa and Marquez suffer from the RC213V engine, except that it corresponds much more to the second. To try to tame him, Honda plays on several parameters such as the fins, the exhaust pipes or the chassis.
Marc Marquez runs with the 2014 version of the chassis, “It gives me more feedback on the front tire. He warns and gives me confidence, these are important elements,” says Marquez. “I tried the new chassis during the test after the Barcelona Grand Prix. Several points are better, others much worse. We will try to find a compromise for the rear by combining it with the 2014 version, because I think it could be a good solution. » Regarding the shorter exhaust, “He doesn’t bring much,” adds Marquez. “The top speed is not better. »
On the Yamaha side, Valentino Rossi definitively excluded the new chassis tested in Barcelona, “I wasn’t sure how much progress the chassis made,” He explains. “Today we compared them once again on another track. Ultimately, I prefer the standard chassis with which I feel the front better. We are trying to improve the front with the new chassis with the Michelins. We win where we want, but we lose stability. »
For its part, Jorge Lorenzo is not yet sure of the choice, “I felt a good difference, but here I feel less, also because we use different settings. Tomorrow we will try again to decide on the choice for the race. »
And there are the Ducatis…
In the combined ranking of the two free sessions, it is Andrea Iannone who took the advantage. Although leader, he will have to start from the back of the grid on Sunday after hitting Lorenzo in the race in Barcelona, “It's not the best situation since it's never easy to move up the rankings. We are fast, but I can't ride as I want. The bike moves on angle changes. We still need to work on this. If this is resolved, I am confident we can be competitive. »
Future Ducati rider, Lorenzo is delighted with the potential of the Ducati, “At the moment, the Ducatis are fast. If he [Iannone] maintains this pace on Sunday and I'm not able to progress from here, he can move up. On the contrary, if I progress, it will be difficult for him to move up so many places. »
There are four Ducatis in the Top 10 of the ranking combined with the two official riders and the two Pramac riders, “It is always important to place in the Top 10 in the Netherlands, because the weather is always uncertain,” entrusts Danilo Petrucci, 7rd. “We found a new working method during the test in Barcelona which allows us to better manage the tires. I think we have taken the right direction. »
Aprilia/Espargaro and “preparing for your move”
“I know where I will be riding next season,” says Alex Espargaro. “There are often a few details to work out before we do it, but it’s close. » According to our information, the contract was signed Thursday evening upon his arrival on the Assen circuit for a period of two seasons.
The announcement of the arrival of Aleix Espargaro at Aprilia is becoming clearer. We will certainly have to wait to learn more about the future ofAlvaro Bautista et Stefan Bradl. Bautista is reportedly heading to Team Aspar. For the German, our sources speak of a move to WorldSBK, or even a return to Moto2.
Jacques Roca, mechanic who has followed the Espargaro brothers for many years, will not follow Aleix Espargaro to Aprilia. The Frenchman accompanied Pol to the world title in 2013. Since then, Jacques Roca followed Aleix Espargaro to the Forward team, then to Suzuki. It's the same for Tom O'Kane, its chief mechanic, who will remain with the Suzuki team.
For Lorenzo, the situation is similar. Ramón Forcada, a recognized monster in suspension settings and current chief mechanic of the Mallorcan, will remain alongside Maverick Vinales in 2017. Lorenzo must find a new technical team, “We are working on this and we still have time to think about it,” He explains. “A good part of Iannone’s team will stay. The most important thing is to find a chief engineer. We have several ideas. There are several points to consider, including language, experience and knowledge of the machine. »
And the tricolors?
Difficult first day for the French in Assen. Alexis Masbou still suffers from false neutral points on the Peugeot (Mahindra), a problem which concerns all the brand's drivers. John mcphee tested a new box during the CEV in Barcelona. “This box works correctly and is above all less dangerous,” confides Masbou. “I suffered from a standstill and Locatelli crashed into me today. He fell. Fortunately, he escaped unscathed, as did I. » The new box will not be available before the German Grand Prix, at best. It is in the process of being approved.
Jules Danilo finished 9th today, after having occupied 5th place in the ranking before the checkered flag, “I’m really happy with this day. Unfortunately on the last lap, 4 drivers passed me in front of the standings. »
Third Frenchman in Moto3, fabio quartararo concluded the day with the 18th time, “A really difficult day. I couldn't do what I wanted, both with new tires and worn tires. We are working on our settings for tomorrow. »
In Moto2, John Zarco finished the day with the 6th fastest time, “We started the day well. I had a good pace in FP2. There are still some weak points that we need to work on for me to be comfortable on the bike. We are not that far away. We must adapt as best we can. »
