Rain and low temperatures characterised day one of the third WorldSSP round, which began today at the TT Circuit Assen in The Netherlands.
Having recently undergone surgery on his right arm to resolve a compartmental syndrome problem, Can Oncu took to the track for a wet free practice. Despite the difficult conditions, the young Turkish rider was able to finish out front, first with a time of 1’44”419.
The Superpole, which serves to establish the grid for the weekend’s races, ran in the afternoon on a track that was still wet. A few minutes in, Oncu started to pick up the pace but unfortunately suffered a crash that prevented him from continuing with the session. The Kawasaki Puccetti Racing rider qualified twentieth as a result and will start tomorrow afternoon’s race from the fifth row of the grid. A very unfortunate outcome, considering just how fast Can was in morning practice.
TT Assen Circuit – The Netherlands
Supersport World Championship
Free practice: 1) Oncu (Kawasaki) – 2) Tuuli (Ducati) – 3) Vostatek (Triumph) – 4) Bayliss (Ducati) – 5) Edwards (Ducati) – 6) Van Straalen (Yamaha)
Superpole: 1) Manzi (Yamaha) – 2) Van Straalen (Yamaha) – 3) Huertas (Ducati) – 4) Schroetter (MV Agusta) – 5) Tuuli (Ducati) ……… 20) Oncu (Kawasaki)
Can Oncu
“I immediately got into a good rhythm in practice and was the quickest on track. I would surely have done the same in Superpole, but unfortunately, I crashed early on, damaging the bike and the track marshals didn’t allow me to continue. Tomorrow I’ll start the race from the fifth row of the grid, which will be difficult of course, but I’m not losing hope. I like tough challenges and so I’ll do my best to make up as much ground as possible. Thanks to my team for all their help today.”
