Jorge Lorenzo Scores Front Row in Difficult Assen Qualifying 29.06.2012: MOTOGP NETHERLANDS - ROUND 7 Assen MotoGP Qualifying 1 Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo took third today in qualifying for tomorrow’s

MOTOGP NETHERLANDS - ROUND 7           Assen

MotoGP  Qualifying 1
 
 



Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo took third today in qualifying for tomorrow’s Assen TT race. The famous Dutch weather proved to be the biggest challenge for all riders with rain intermittently halting the session and frustrating attempts to string together a series of hot laps.


The sun came out to provide a final six-minute flurry of activity with Casey Stoner setting the provisional pole time. Lorenzo then responded, taking red through the first three splits but making a small mistake on the final chicane to end up in third on the grid for tomorrow’s race.


Having wrapped up day one as the fastest rider Texan Ben Spies was again ready to deliver in qualifying. Having worked through different set up solutions Spies was on pace for a front row position until running into slower CRT traffic on his hot lap. As a result he starts from the second row of the grid in sixth position.
 

Jorge Lorenzo

Position 3rd - Time: 1'34.001 - Laps 20

“I tried my best in the last lap of qualifying but I made a little mistake in the last chicane on braking and lost a few tenths. I was surprised at Casey’s last lap; it was fantastic and so fast and Dani was also very close to him.


We have a good position for tomorrow on the front row and we have a good race pace and I’m confident with the bike so I’m happy. Qualifying is one thing but the race is another, tyre choice will be important for the race.”
       
 

Ben Spies

Position 6th - Time: 1'34.644 - Laps 16

"Qualifying was a frustrating experience. We tried a setting this morning and went backwards so the first bit of qualifying we tried a modified setting from yesterday which again wasn’t working so well.


We went back to yesterday’s set up with a minor change but only got one lap in, which turned out to be my fastest lap. Unfortunately one of the CRT bikes got in the way on my qualifying lap. I know they are out there trying to do their thing as well so it’s difficult.”

 
Wilco Zeelenberg - Yamaha Factory Racing Team Manager

“A very Dutch qualification I would say, having to stop the practice because of the constant weather changes. Finally the last ten minutes were exciting and Jorge managed two hot laps. I think we are happy to be on the front row, Jorge’s first three splits were very good then he missed the last one otherwise he would have been pole. Race rhythm is very good so we are confident for tomorrow.”
     


Massimo Meregalli - Yamaha Factory Racing Team Director

“The rain didn’t help so much today. Ben was on form for a best lap until T9 when he caught a slower CRT rider who closed the door on him and he lost his lap. I think he could have had a better position but in the end second row is not so bad.


He’s had good starts in the last races so we expect the same tomorrow. The pace is good, bike set up is good and we don’t have any doubts about the tyres. Jorge showed a good pace with both soft and hard tyres so he will be there in the fight for victory.”




Crutchlow and Dovizioso target strong race at historic Assen



Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team riders Cal Crutchlow and Andrea Dovizioso will start tomorrow's historic Dutch TT from inside the top seven after a rain disrupted qualifying session at Assen this afternoon.


Less than 15 minutes of the session had elapsed when a short cloudburst forced Crutchlow and Dovizioso into the pits when they were lying eighth and third respectively on the timesheets.


The track quickly dried and after a 10-minute delay, Crutchlow and Dovizioso were able to resume their preparations for tomorrow's 26-lap race.


Both were just about to start switching to Bridgestone's soft tyre to push for a fast lap time when a second rain shower hit with 20 minutes remaining and forced them back into the pits once again.


Six minutes remained when the rapidly changing conditions suddenly improved and grey and gloomy skies gave way to glorious sunshine and Crutchlow and Dovizioso were able to attack for three laps on slick tyres.


Continuing to ride in considerable discomfort with the broken left ankle he suffered in practice for his home round at Silverstone 13 days ago, Crutchlow produced a stunning final lap of 1.34.486 to finish fifth quickest.


Crutchlow's brilliant last lap attack continued his impressive qualifying record in 2012 and he will start tomorrow's race from inside the top five for the sixth time in seven races. The 26-year-old is confident he can maintain his grip on fourth place in the World Championship standings.


Changes to the set-up of his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YZR-M1 machine gave Dovizioso the front-end confidence and feedback he lacked yesterday and a lap of 1.34.698 secured him seventh position on the grid.


Dovizioso was as high as third in the early part of the session prior to the rain interruptions but he was unable to improve his lap time in a frenetic finale to the session. The Italian's pace in race trim though has boosted his confidence that he will be battling for the rostrum for the fourth race in succession.
 


Cal Crutchlow

Position 5th - Time: 1'34.486 - Laps 17

“I'm happy on one side because to be fifth fastest and on the second row is a good result considering my physical condition and how much pain I have from the left ankle. But I'm upset a little bit too because I'm sure I could have been into the 33s and on the front row, but (Hector) Barbera got in my way on my final lap and cost me some crucial tenths.


He was looking for a tow again to improve his lap time like he always does and unfortunately it was me that got caught up with him this time. All week though I have been consistently in the top five and my aim was to be in the top six, so I am not doing badly. We'll make a decision on which tyre to use tomorrow but we have a little bit of work to do on stopping the bike in a few areas, but we have some ideas to make it better.


It will be a tough race with the ankle injury and fighting with Jorge (Lorenzo) is going to be incredibly difficult. He's got an amazing pace but I am doing the best job I can and will be looking to finish in the top six.”
       
 


Andrea Dovizioso

Position 7th - Time: 1'34.698 - Laps 17

“It is a pity to be starting on the third row of the grid because I am sure my potential is much higher. It was a very tricky session with the weather conditions changing a lot, but I am really happy to have done a 34.7 on the hard tyre. We have made some big steps improving my feeling with the front-end of the bike and I am satisfied with my race pace. I am sure I will be able to fight for the podium.


I was on the third row at Silverstone but still came through to battle for the podium and that is a realistic goal tomorrow. In the final minutes when I went out on the new rear tyre, I didn't feel ready to push right at the limit. Going into the first corner I locked the rear wheel and lost some time and because I wasn't sure if I had warmed the rear tyre up enough, I decided not to take any big risks.


I am sure I could have been higher up the grid but I am confident for the race and my Monster Yamaha Tech 3 crew have done a fantastic job again improving the bike in every session.”

 

2012 MotoGP Netherlands
Assen 29/06/2012   
   
1    Casey Stoner    Honda    AUS    1'33.713
2    Daniel Pedrosa    Honda    ESP    1'33.828
3    Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha ESP    1'34.001
4    Stefan Bradl    Honda    GER    1'34.035
5    Cal Crutchlow Yamaha GBR    1'34.486
6    Ben Spies Yamaha USA    1'34.644
7    Andrea Dovizioso Yamaha ITA    1'34.698
8    Alvaro Bautista    Honda    ESP    1'34.722
9    Nicky Hayden    Ducati    USA    1'34.751
10    Valentino Rossi    Ducati    ITA    1'35.057
11    Hector Barbera    Ducati    ESP    1'35.289
12    Randy De Puniet    ART    FRA    1'35.830
13    Aleix Espargaro    ART    ESP    1'36.007
14    Michele Pirro    FTR    ITA    1'36.647
15    Mattia Pasini    ART    ITA    1'36.943
           

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