by VALERIO BARRETTA
Aprilia, due RS-GP in top-4
Francesco Bagnaia was the absolute protagonist on Friday at Assen, first in both FP1 and Practice, but Aprilia impressed on a team level. The Noale-based manufacturer placed two riders in the top-4 and three in Q2: Maverick shone above all Vinales – fifth in FP1 and second in the practice sessions, 65 thousandths behind “Pecco” -, the Spaniard showed competitiveness on the flying lap and above all a great pace that places him among the favourites for qualifying together with the “three tenors” Bagnaia-Martin-Marquez.
Also for Aleix Espargaro, fourth at the end of Practice, it was a beautiful day, unfortunately ending with a very dangerous highside at the last chicane. So much fear and pain for the Catalan that he was taken to the medical centre, where they found no fractures but only a bruise in the sacrococcyx area.
Viñales’ words
“I feel like I’m at a very high level“, this is Viñales’ comment. “In terms of riding, I feel very good on the bike and I was able to express the potential of the RS-GP24 to the fullest. My time is under the circuit record, so we have improved a lot compared to last year too. I am very satisfied with the race pace and I think that we have a great opportunity looking forward to tomorrow“.
Espargaró’s words
“It’s a shame about the fall because the day was going well up to that point.“, added Espargaró. “I feel comfortable on the bike, even if this is not an easy track due to the high speeds and the aerodynamic load which adds more weight to the front. Overall, I’m happy, though I have a lot of pain in my lower back and neck. Luckily, it’s not as serious as it could have been.“.
