SBK, ASSEN GP: LORENZO BALDASSARRI WRAPS UP A SOLID WEEKEND BETWEEN PRACTICE AND RACES
SBK | GP Assen: Lorenzo Baldassarri finished sixth in Race 2, putting in a fine performance and securing plenty of valuable points
The FIM Superbike World Championship weekend at Assen couldn’t have got off to a better start for Lorenzo Baldassarri, who, in the face of Bulega’s overwhelming dominance and the factory Ducati, managed to hold off the entire pack of pursuers to set the second-fastest time on the first day of free practice. An excellent result for the GoEleven rider, who, aboard the Panigale V4R, was the only one, alongside the championship leader, to break the 1’34 barrier and clock a superb 1’33.963.
This performance is the result of meticulous recovery work carried out by Lorenzo over the last few weeks, following the onset of severe pain in his right arm which had compromised his performance at Portimão, and the strong rapport he has quickly established with the technical staff of Gianni Ramello’s team.
These are two very important factors which, if maintained at this level, can only increase the chances of getting the most out of this intense round. The TT Circuit Assen is a fast track which, despite the major changes it has undergone – including the most recent one in 2006 – favours the right balance between power and agility. This is a key aspect for our rider, who continues to refine his feel for the bike, riding it with ever-greater effectiveness.
Furthermore, the Ducatis have undergone the latest regulatory balancing step, with a reduction in fuel. A crucial change, which does not seem to have disrupted Balda and the team’s plans; despite the algorithm, they are proceeding with conviction towards qualifying and the races. On Saturday morning there is another free practice session, useful for reassessing the situation in the areas with the greatest margin and preparing for the Superpole at 11:15, where another “time attack” will be crucial to determine the official grid and get off to the best possible start in Race 1.
To stay up to date, follow the social media channels 7balda (Instagram) and Lorenzo Baldassarri (Facebook), or visit the official website worldsbk.com. To experience all the excitement of the races live or on demand, simply tune in to worldsbk.com, Sky Sport, NOWtv and TV8 on channel 8 of the DTT. The schedule is as follows.
| Sat 18 APR | Sun 19 APR | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FP3 | 09:40 | 10:40 | WUP | 09:15 |
| Superpole | 11:15 | 12:15 | Superpole Race | 11:10 |
| RACE 1 | 15:30 | 16:30 | RACE 2 | 15:30 |
SBK | GP Assen: Lorenzo Baldassarri finished eighth, beating Mackenzie with an epic late surge
It was a very tough Race 1 for Lorenzo Baldassarri, marked by a fierce battle for positions just outside the top five. After a difficult start, the GoEleven rider had to contend with fierce rivals who were more than capable of giving him no respite at every corner and sector of the blisteringly fast Dutch circuit.
Balda, in fact, lost a few positions at the start, forcing him into an intense recovery drive until halfway through the race, where he found himself in a group of riders swapping positions and ‘bumping’ at every metre. He did well not to crash, but during an inside attack by Miguel Oliveira he went wide, letting two other riders behind him pass. Having regained control of his Ducati Panigale V4R, he set his sights on his rivals again and overtook them one by one, battling shoulder to shoulder.
In the closing stages, with fresh tyres and still a good dose of adrenaline coursing through his veins, Lorenzo made the most of the final lap, shooting past Tarran Mackenzie like a missile right on the home straight. At the TT Circuit Assen, known as the ‘University of Motorcycling’, it is no mean feat to ride so fast, and this can be considered a fine result, given the situation at the start and the high risk of crashes in the frenzied battle for positions in which he was a key player, with overtakes packed with thrills.
There are still two chances to pull off a great result, and with Sunday morning’s Superpole Race, the opportunity to improve his grid position and get a head start in Race 2. With his eighth-place finish in the first race, he has secured another eight valuable points that boost his position in the overall standings – a position we hope to improve further on the final day of this adrenaline-fuelled round of the FIM Superbike World Championship.
To stay up to date, follow the social media channels 7balda (Instagram) and Lorenzo Baldassarri (Facebook), or visit the official website worldsbk.com. To experience all the excitement of the races live and on demand, simply tune in to worldsbk.com, Sky Sport, NOWtv and TV8 on channel 8 of the DTT. The schedule is as follows.
| Sun 19 APR | |
|---|---|
| WUP | 09:15 |
| Superpole Race | 11:10 |
| RACE 2 | 15:30 |
SBK | GP Assen: Lorenzo Baldassarri finished sixth in Race 2, putting in a fine performance and securing plenty of valuable points
The third round of the FIM Superbike World Championship also ended on a positive note for Lorenzo Baldassarri, who had missed out on a top grid position in the Superpole Race following contact with an opponent right at the end of the session. This is an excellent sign, however, given the freedom with which the GoEleven rider fought hard and gave his rivals a run for their money in both of Sunday’s races.
Getting off to a flying start in the second race, Lorenzo overtook several riders as early as the first corner, positioning himself behind some tricky riders and securing a favourable spot from which to launch his attacks. On lap five, he overtook a tenacious BMW with a textbook-perfect crossing of lines, thus avoiding losing ground and tyre wear in a costly battle.
Extremely adept at overtaking one rival after another in the middle of the race, he closed in on the top five on his Ducati Panigale V4R and never let them go until the finish line. A more than commendable performance, but one that was hardly surprising, given the struggles he faced in the previous round and the steady improvement shown by the rider-team partnership.
With sixth place, “Balda” picks up more vital points, securing him a firm hold on eighth place overall, just eleven points behind fourth. A favourable position given the narrow gap between the title contenders, and with the championship still long and wide open, we can look forward to a significant climb up the standings.
See you in Balaton for the Hungarian GP, the fourth round of the season scheduled for 1–3 May. To stay up to date, follow the social media channels 7balda (Instagram) and Lorenzo Baldassarri (Facebook), or visit the official website worldsbk.com. To experience all the excitement of the races live and on demand, simply tune in to worldsbk.com, Sky Sport, NOWtv and TV8 on channel 8 of the DTT.
