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In the morning the fastest proved to be Alvaro Bautista, while in the afternoon it was Nicolò Bulega. Ducati is smiling at the end of Friday in Assen, although we are only at the beginning of the weekend's battle.
Among the most encouraging aspects of this first day is definitely Alvaro Bautista, again in front.
"I am happy with how we started," he began, "this morning we made the right choice with the tire, immediately finding speed and confidence. Then let's see what happens tomorrow, because it's only Friday and it will be important to do a good Superpole on Saturday morning, without finding ourselves behind."
Toprak and Bulega point to you as the favorite...
"Here I have won on several occasions, but each time the situation is different and there are many aspects that affect. At the moment, however, they are one step ahead and there is a step to take to get closer. I am very honest in saying that I am one step behind Toprak and Nicolo."
What changes with the reduced fuel flow?
"With less fuel you have less power, but fortunately the Ducati engineers have worked to reduce this deficit as little as possible. I think Assen is not the track where fuel flow particularly affects the bike, plus the conditions are cooler. On tracks with higher temperatures or straights, like Portimao, it's different."
Your Ducati is 10km/h faster than Toprak's BMW. The reason, he said, you have to ask the FIM....
"There is nothing to ask the FIM. It all depends on how fast you come out of Turn 4 and where you brake. For sure smaller riders have more aerodynamics and I don't think my Ducati is different from the others. He should ask BMW why his bike doesn't get to the speed trap point quickly. It has nothing to do with FIM. I don't understand why we always have to be here asking for penalization."
Echoing his words was also Bulega, the best of the afternoon.
"I'm quite happy with how things went today even if the feelings are not the best. In fact, I would like to be more comfortable on the bike, especially under braking, but I am sure that my team will be able to sort out those details necessary to be able to take one more step. In any case, we were fast and that is the most important thing."
How different is the Panigale with the fuel reduction?
"The bike is much dirtier in the gear shifts and goes slower. It's like having the rear brake pulled."
