Rampant Spies lays down benchmark at Assen

The whole MotoGP™ field was treated to a warm and dry first day at the Iveco TT Assen, where last year’s race winner, Yamaha Factory Racing’s Ben Spies, laid down the benchmark for tomorrow’s qualifying by setting the fastest time of the day in the second practice session ahead of Cal Crutchlow and Nicky Hayden.

In a tightly fought afternoon session, Spies set the fastest lap in the high 1.34’s, narrowly relegating Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Cal Crutchlow into second, who is still recovering from a fractured left ankle. Third place went to Ducati Team’s Nicky Hayden, who looks to be continuing his excellent dry pace on the Desmosedici.

Last race’s pole sitter, San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Álvaro Bautista, finished the day fourth fastest, after putting in yet another good showing on board his satellite Honda machine. In fifth, Spies’ teammate Jorge Lorenzo could not match the American’s pace, loosing out in particular in the final sector of the track. Lorenzo however, had not switched to the soft rear tyre like the riders in front of him, instead focussing on race pace.

Repsol Honda Team’s Dani Pedrosa ended the day in sixth, and will be looking for a significant improvement tomorrow if he is to start his championship challenge. Behind him was teammate Casey Stoner, who only completed eight flying laps in the afternoon session, as he was struggling with issues on both his bikes. Stoner was another rider to not post a fast lap with the soft rear compound.

Eighth place went to Crutchlow’s teammate Andrea Dovizioso, who is looking to make amends for his crash in the last race. In ninth, Ducati’s Valentino Rossi showed some improvement throughout the day, yet still looked to be struggling compared to his American teammate. Both him and Hayden sighted a quick drop-off in rear grip as the main problem to solve this weekend. Pramac Racing Team’s Héctor Barberá finished the practice in tenth, after recovering from a crash early in the session. Power Electronics Aspar’s Aleix Espargaró put in a solid performance to finish as top CRT machine, ahead of his teammate Randy de Puniet.