FIM Supersport World Championship
TT Circuit Assen, Netherlands
April 15, 2016
Free Practice Two Results (wet conditions, all on Pirelli tires):
1. PJ Jacobsen, USA (Hon CBR600RR), 1:54.999
2. Kenan Sofuoglu, Turkey (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:55.338
3. Anthony West, Australia (Yam YZF-R6), 1:55.411, crash
4. Kyle Smith, UK (Hon CBR600RR), 1:55.602
5. Ondrej Jezek, Czech Republic (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:56.634
6. Illia Mikhalchik, Ukraine (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:57.090
7. Gino Rea, UK (MV F3 675), 1:57.775
8. Alex Baldolini, Italy (MV F3 675), 1:58.190
9. Lorenzo Zanetti, Italy (MV F3 675), 1:58.448
10. Kevin Wahr, Germany (Hon CBR600RR), 1:58.778, crash
15. Luke Stapleford, UK (Tri Daytona 675R), 1:59.606
16. Randy Krummenacher, Switzerland (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:59.644, crash
30. Jules Cluzel, France (MV F3 675), 2:03.003, crash
37. Braeden Ortt, Canada (Hon CBR600RR), 2:11.559, crash
More, from a press release issued by Dorna WSBK Press Office:
WorldSSP: Jacobsen Ends Day 1 on Top
Honda rider on top as Tissot-Superpole 2 entry gets decided at Assen
American Honda rider PJ Jacobsen took the top spot on Friday at the TT Circuit Assen, as the first day of #DutchWorldSBK was characterized by rain and difficult conditions. Reigning Champion Kenan Sofuoglu topped the morning session ahead of returning one event rider Anthony West, as Jules Cluzel suffered a highside on his MV Agusta.
The afternoon saw conditions unimproved and unlikely to improve, with rain still falling and the track proving difficult to judge. That, at least, ensured the track was busy as riders gathered data for what could prove a wet WorldSSP race on Sunday. Day 1 at Assen was a day characterized by incidents and differing times as the riders sought to find the limit of cohesion, and it was 2015 Championship runner-up PJ Jacobsen who took his Honda to the top.
Kenan Sofuoglu and Anthony West were the closest challengers to the American, with two of WorldSSP’s key title rivals suffering in the conditions. Championship leader Randy Krummenacher ended Day 1 in 16th after a difficult time in the wet and a late, slow crash as he lost the rear but it was Jules Cluzel, after a crash in the morning, who proved the title contender to suffer most with the weather as he again unfortunately lost his MV Agusta during FP2, escaping unharmed. With Friday times deciding entry into Tissot-Superpole 2, both the Swiss rider and the Frenchman lost the chance to improve their lap times will have to go through Superpole 1.
The session was ended early by a Red Flag with only 38 seconds left on the clock, and the WorldSSP grid will be hoping for brighter skies tomorrow. The top 10 who go through to Tissot-Superpole 2 could make for a fascinating Supersport showdown, as Championship contenders find themselves further back then they are used to, and wet weather specialists take to the limelight.
Make sure to follow all the action from WorldSSP qualifying on WorldSBK.com, and keep up to date by connecting with WorldSBK on social media at the links below.
More, from a press release issued by MV Agusta:
The fourth round of the 2016 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship started today at TT Circuit Assen, with MV Agusta Reparto Corse riders involved in a very wet practice condition.
WorldSBK – FP1, FP2
After two session of qualifying practice during the opening day at TT Circuit, Leon Camier finished up 11° in WorldSBK class with a 1’54.564 lap time, narrowly missing the Tissot-Superpole 2 for just 1 position. Despite the slippery condition on track, the British rider felt himself confident in wet condition and the team is now working to even improve the grip of his MV Agusta F4 RC for tomorrow’s Superpole and Race.
Leon Camier #2 – To be honest I was hoping to be al little bit faster in the wet but we made some changes to the bike between the sessions and definitely went in the right direction. I think for tomorrow we need to understand what we need to do to make the bike feel a little bit more comfortable and to find some major grip. With this condition is easy to make a mistake and an early crash but if we find a good setting with the chassis and the electronics, we can make a good step forward.
WorldSSP – FP1, FP2
Due to the heavy rain it was a mixed day for MV Agusta Reparto Corse WorldSSP team at Assen, with Lorenzo Zanetti scoring the 9th position in Free Practice combined results and entering the Tissot-Superpole 2; from the other side Zanetti’s teammate Jules Cluzel, 3rd in Championship Standing, suffered a crash in FP1 and another crash in FP2 and, despite he escaped unharmed, he wasn’t able to improve his lap time.
Jules Cluzel #16 – Today the track was really slippery and it was hard to ride in this condition. I tried to do my best and push hard to stay on front but after crashing twice I had to give up. I will try to do my best to pass as many riders as possibile and get some points for the Championship on Sunday’s race
Lorenzo Zanetti #87 – It is not easy to find the right setting in Assen circuit with this kind of conditions. Even if I wanted a better placement, I am quite happy after these first sessions since I did by best. Tomorrow is the day to push hard to get the best position in starting grid, because if this round will be raced in wet conditions it becomes really important to start from the first rows
More, from a press release issued by Honda:
Jacobsen and the Honda WorldSSP Team top Assen timesheets on opening day
Round 4 – The Netherlands
TT Circuit Assen, Netherlands
PJ Jacobsen and the Honda WorldSSP Team have topped the timesheets in today’s first two practice sessions for the FIM Supersport World Championship at the TT Circuit Assen in the Netherlands. The 22-year-old from Montgomery, New York, perfectly mastered the wet conditions of the 4.542 Km Dutch track and, courtesy of a 1’54.999 lap-time, he managed to elevate himself to first position at halfway point during free practice number two.
Jacobsen thoroughly enjoyed the fruits of the hard work done by the team at Ten Kate’s HQ after the Spanish round to improve the settings of the rear end of the bike. With a perfectly balanced Honda CBR600RR machine at his disposal, he is now looking forward to the fourth-round Superpole 2, which will kick-start tomorrow at 11:55 local time (GMT +2).
Patrick Jacobsen 2
1st / 1’54.999
Things have gone really well today. The guys have done an incredible job at the (Ten Kate) shop over the last two weeks and the bike has felt much better straight away. I want to really thank the team for the support and I hope to continue in this direction tomorrow. We’ll be ready to fight no matter the conditions we encounter.
Pieter Breddels
Technical Manager
The work done by Arnold (Ten Kate Racing Products suspension specialist) after the last round has paid dividends today. We tried some more adjustments with the rear shock but then we decided to go back to the previous settings. In the end, it was mostly about lapping as much as we could and thankfully, we were able to get a very encouraging first position. We are now looking forward to tomorrow with great confidence.