Superpole and WorldSBK race 1 for Kawasaki Puccetti Racing at the TT Assen Circuit in The Netherlands today. Yesterday saw the Italian team’s rider Lucas Mahias work with his technicians to find a competitive set-up for his Ninja. The Frenchman concluded the two practice sessions in thirteenth place with a best time of 1’36”099.
Mahias was back on track this morning for the third and final practice, during which he continued to work on his Ninja but also prepare for the subsequent Superpole. With a time of 1’36”104, Lucas rounded out the practices in fourteenth place overall.
The second Superpole of the season ran on a dry track in cool, sunny conditions.
Lucas pushed hard right from the start and was able to improve by more than a second. With a time of 1’34”702, he scored tenth place which meant a fourth row start for the first race of the weekend, which played out over a distance of 21 laps. Mahias made a good start and climbed up through the field during the opening stages. With good pace, the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing rider moved into eighth place but unfortunately crashed through a slow section on the very last lap of the race. The Frenchman climbed back on his bike and was able to cross the line in fifteenth place.
Tomorrow will see Mahias compete in the morning’s Superpole race followed, in the afternoon, by the second and final Superbike race.
TT Assen Circuit – The Netherlands – Superbike World Championship
Combined free practice results: 1) Bautista (Ducati) – 2) Razgatlioglu (Yamaha) – 3) Rea (Kawasaki) – 4) Lecuona (Honda) – 5) Lowes (Kawasaki) ……….. 14) Mahias (Kawasaki
Superpole: 1) Razgatlioglu (Yamaha) – 2) Lowes (Kawasaki) – 3) Rea (Kawasaki) – 4) Locatelli (Yamaha) – 5) Bautista (Ducati) – 6) Gerloff (Yamaha) ……. 10) Mahias (Kawasaki)
Race 1: 1) Rea (Kawasaki) – 2) Bautista (Ducati) – 3) Razgatlioglu (Yamaha) – 4) Locatelli (Yamaha) – 5) Lecuona (Honda) – 6) Baz (BMW) ………. 15) Mahias (Kawasaki)
Lucas Mahias
“Superpole went quite well and allowed me to improve on my lap time and start the race from tenth on the grid. I made a good start to the race and got into a good rhythm, making up many places. I climbed as high as eighth, before unfortunately crashing on the very last lap. I was able to get back on and finish in fifteenth place, scoring one point as a result. I’m sorry about the crash, but the bike has improved a lot and I had good feeling today, so I’m optimistic ahead of tomorrow’s races. Thanks to my team for all their help today.”
