#DutchGP MotoGP FP4: Zarco dominates the sky

The final free practice session is generally devoted to fine-tuning for the next day's race, before returning to qualifying mode in the following minutes. A seemingly well-oiled program, except that for this Saturday in the Netherlands, we don't know what heaven to aim for. Literally. The morning Redding had woken up the field with a better time in front of Rossi in dominant rain. But then, when it was time to get to work, the sun made a breakthrough, trying to ostentatiously dry out certain parts of the track...

Before launching into the unknown, here are some chronometric certainties…

#DutchGP MotoGP	2016	2017
FP1	1'34.349 Andrea Iannone (see here)	1'34.680 Danilo Petrucci (see here)
FP2	1'33.591 Andrea Iannone (see here)	1'33.130 Maverick Vinales (see here)
FP3	1'33.308 Andrea Dovizioso (see here)	1'46.441 Scott Redding
FP4	1'48.628 Marc Marquez (see here)
Q1	1'48.482 Pol Espargaro (see here)
Q2	1'45.246 Andrea Dovizioso (see here)
Warm up	1'34.638 Andrea Iannone (see here)
Course	Miller, Marquez, Redding (see here et here)
All time lap record	1'32.627 Rossi 2015

 

That being said, if the elements want to continue with the game and the mouse, it is perhaps a Grand Prix with a change of bikes which is promised to us for tomorrow, Sunday... As if to add a little more to the confusion! 23° on the track, 21° in the air, hostilities were thus launched with a first reference in 1'46.417 achieved by… Johann zarco. Who didn't stop there, achieving a 1'44.925. The Frenchman lined up the laps while the rest of the competition returned to the pits after one lap… Lorenzo et Red excepted.

A flash in the pan because the few reckless people working on the track ended up returning, leaving Assen in deafening silence. However, as the last quarter of an hour approaches, Johann zarco, again, went back into battle with… soft slicks. A boldness greeted by the clouds by a light shower! Nothing to discourage Scott Redding however who remained alone at the front with his smooth rubbers.

A vain attempt given the conditions which pushed again zarco in the arena, but this time with soft rain. The rain regained the advantage and made it known that it would definitely not let up this Saturday.

We will therefore leave it there with the best performance for the Tech3 driver in 1'44.925, two tenths better than Lorenzo and more than two seconds ahead Baptist et Miller. Red closes the top 5 at Dovizioso. It will be noted that as much Karel Abraham thatAlex Espargaro and Sam Lowes did not line up a single round. Last but not least, Maverick Vinales didn't venture outside his stand anymore...

Time for Q.1 which will take place on a wet track…

#DutchGP MotoGP FP4: Chronos

1. Johann zarco ENG Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)* 1m 44.925s [Lap 3/11] 288km/h (Top Speed)
2. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 1m 45.136s +0.211s [4/7] 285km/h
3. Alvaro Bautista ESP Pull&Bear Aspar Team (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 47.483s +2.558s [2/9] 287km/h  

4. Jack Miller AUS Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 1m 47.595s +2.670s [2/3] 282km/h
5. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 47.730s +2.805s [3/8] 286km/h
6. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 1m 49.325s +4.400s [7/7] 285km/h
7. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 49.801s +4.876s [5/5] 273km/h
8. Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP17) 1m 50.140s +5.215s [5/5] 285km/h
9. Scott Redding GBR Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 50.711s +5.786s [6/7] 283km/h
10. Espargaro Pol ESP Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 1m 50.776s +5.851s [4/7] 292km/h
11. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 51.122s +6.197s [4/7] 270km/h
12. Loris Baz FRA Reale Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP15) 1m 51.176s +6.251s [4/5] 280km/h
13. Andrea Iannone ITA Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 1m 51.716s +6.791s [4/5] 282km/h
14. alex rins ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)* 1m 52.024s +7.099s [5/6] 268km/h
15. Hector Barbera ESP Reale Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 52.030s +7.105s [5/7] 275km/h
0. Bradley Smith GBR Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 1m 52.404s +7.479s [4/5] 281km/h
0. Jonas Folger GER Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)* 1m 52.440s +7.515s [4/7] 282km/h
0. Tito Rabat ESP Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 1m 53.300s +8.375s [5/8] 271km/h
0. Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 1m 59.087s +14.162s [5/5] 281km/h
Karel Abraham CZE Pull&Bear Aspar Team (Desmosedici GP15) No Time
Sam Lowes GBR Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP)* No Time
Maverick Vinales ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) No Time
Alex Espargaro ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) No Time