WorldSBK Assen FP1: Scott Redding opens weekend in P1
Scott Redding goes fastest in FP1 at Assen in a British 1-2-3.
British rider Scott Redding lead the way in the FP1 session at Assen on his Ducati V4 R, Redding boasts lots of experience around the Dutch circuit racing here in the MotoGP paddock scoring three podiums in Moto2 and MotoGP before doing the double in his solo British Superbikes season, Redding has shown he has the speed leading a British 1-2-3 with Jonathan Rea in second place only 0.078 seconds behind.
The defending champion lost his championship lead last time out to the incredible Toprak Razgatlioglu who pushed Rea to and over the limit, forcing a crash with Toprak going on to win the race, although on the back foot, Rea is only 2 points behind title leader Toprak and has won a staggering 12 races on the Dutch circuit, if there was ever a place to regain the title lead it would be here.
Rounding out the top three is Chaz Davies, Davies has struggled recently after making the move to the Team GoEleven but aims to be back on top here taking the top Independent rider spot joining fellow Ducati riders Scott Redding and Michael Ruben Rinaldi in the top 4 only 0.048 seconds ahead of Rinaldi in fourth place.
Title leader Toprak (it’s got a nice ring to it) takes the fifth spot 0.459 seconds from leader Scott Redding, Razgatlioglu knows Rea has a huge advantage here in Assen but this is Toprak, the man doesn’t let anything phase him and you can be sure he will be up there battling this weekend in an attempt to extend his title lead for Yamaha after recently signing to remain with them until 2023.
Tom Sykes was just behind with Garrett Gerloff in P7, Gerloff put an end to all MotoGP rumours this week inking a new deal with Yamaha to remain a Yamaha supported rider through 2022 with all eyes on the GRT Yamaha seat he is currently occupying, although it’s rumoured he has a contract clause meaning he can exit if a MotoGP deal arrises.
Fellow Yamaha rider Andrea Locatelli rounds off the top 10 only 0.725 seconds from Redding, the young Italian beating home hero Michael van der Mark by a mere 0.004 seconds as Alex Lowes struggles to P12 and Alvaro Bautista down in P15.
Full results –
Featured image – Ducati
