Former MotoGP star Scott Redding dominated the opening WorldSBK free practice session at Assen this morning, matching the lap record and holding a four-tenth advantage over the pack until Jonathan Rea’s final effort cut it back to 0.078s.
The Ducati man’s best effort of 1’34.591 gives him a 0.380 lead over still-crocked Chaz Davies in third place but it was bd news for Alex Lowes who was outside the top ten.
As the session opened, it was a tentative start following spots of rain earlier on in the morning. However, soon enough it was clear that Redding was in a fighting mood this weekend as he continuously improved through the session to finish on top, setting the fastest sector time in sectors two, three and four.
Second place went to Rea who was less than a a tenth of a second behind Redding, as he fired in a quick lap time with less than a minute to go, propelling himself ahead of arch-rival Davies (Team GoEleven).
Davies had a very strong opening session and was top Independent rider. Fourth place went to Michael Rinaldi (Aruba Ducati), making it three Ducatis inside the top four, while championship leader Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha) elevated himself into fifth.
Completing the top half-dozen was Tom Sykes on the BMW, who continues his solid form from his Donington Park podium showing. Garrett Gerloff (GRT Yamaha) celebrated his Yamaha contract extension with a solid seventh with his first WorldSBK visit to Assen.
Leon Haslam (Team HRC) was eighth ahead of another impressive position for Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti) who was top rookie, ahead of Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha).
Notable names having a difficult first session included home-hero Michael van der Mark in 11th, Kawasaki's Lowes in 12th and ex-MotoGP man Alvaro Bautista (Team HRC) in 15th.
Top ten top speeds
1 19 A. BAUTISTA Honda CBR1000 RR-R 291,9
2 45 S. REDDING Ducati Panigale V4 R 290,3
3 22 A. LOWES Kawasaki ZX-10RR 289,5
4 21 M. RINALDI Ducati Panigale V4 R 289,5
5 55 A. LOCATELLI Yamaha YZF R1 287,2
6 53 T. RABAT Ducati Panigale V4 R 287,2
7 54 T. RAZGATLIOGLU Yamaha YZF R1 287,2
8 47 A. BASSANI Ducati Panigale V4 R 287,2
9 7 C. DAVIES Ducati Panigale V4 R 287,2
10 31 G. GERLOFF Yamaha YZF R1 287,2
