#DutchGP J1 Danilo Petrucci “We are very close to those at the front”

After his superb podium obtained at home at Mugello, the Pramac driver continued his brilliant momentum by setting the best time in the first free practice session at Assen. He immediately had to stop at the side of the runway, his engine smoking profusely, but fortunately it was not broken and did not have to be removed from the annual allocation of propulsion units.

Petrux's first session went well, but it ended even better when he managed to take the best time in 1'34.680. Johann zarco for 0.126. The gaps were extremely tight for the places of honor, with only four hundredths between the Frenchman and fifth Valentino Rossi.

Petrucci confirmed the afternoon by taking the seventh performance at 0.760 from Maverick Vinales, which ranked him second Ducati rider behind Andrea Dovizioso. He was only six hundredths behind sixth Valentino Rossi.

Danilo could therefore envisage a first-class performance on Sunday at Assen, which could possibly allow him to take ninth place in the Championship from Cal Crutchlow, who is only three points ahead of him in the provisional standings.

According to Danilo Petrucci, “ I'm happy with today because we finished in the top 10 and the weather forecast for tomorrow is not good.

“There is still something to do especially on race pace, while for lap time I am very fast. The feeling on the bike is good, that's why I'm not worried.

“We will work on tuning, but we are very confident because we are very close to those in front. »

Results of the first day:

1. Maverick Vinales ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 33.130
2. Jonas Folger GER Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)* 1m 33.497s +0.367
3. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 33.782s +0.652
4. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 1m 33.790s +0.660
5. Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 1m 33.828s +0.698
6. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 33.830s +0.700
7. Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP17) 1m 33.890s +0.760
8. Johann Zarco FRA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)* 1m 33.986s +0.856
9. Alvaro Bautista ESP Pull&Bear Aspar Team (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 34.103 +0.973
10. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 34.148s +1.018
11. Karel Abraham CZE Pull&Bear Aspar Team (Desmosedici GP15) 1m 34.299
12. Jack Miller AUS Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 1m 34.337s +1.207
13. Aleix Espargaro ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 1m 34.491s +1.361
14. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 1m 34.523s +1.393
15. Scott Redding GBR Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 34.596s +1.466
16. Loris Baz FRA Reale Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP15) 1m 34.605s +1.475
17. Andrea Iannone ITA Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 1m 34.617s +1.487
18. Hector Barbera ESP Reale Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 34.759s +1.629
19. Alex Rins ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)* 1m 34.923s +1.793
20. Sam Lowes GBR Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP)* 1m 35.039s +1.909
21. Tito Rabat ESP Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 1m 35.185s +2.055
22. Pol Espargaro ESP Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 1m 35.373s +2.243
23. Bradley Smith GBR Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 1m 36.334s +3.204