GRAND PRIX OF ASSEN
Second qualifying practice / FIFTH POLE POSITION
OF THE SEASON FOR JORGE LORENZO IN HOLLAND
Jorge Lorenzo claimed his fifth pole of the season at the
Dutch GP being staged at Assen this weekend. The Mallorcan
FORTUNA APRILIA rider was head and shoulders above the field
with only Alex de Angelis able to get within a second of him.
Lorenzo has also taken pole at Jerez, Losail, Istanbul, Mugello
this term and only failed to convert it into a race victory
in Turkey. With four victories already under his belt he will
now be confident of adding a fifth at Assen. Team-mate Alex
Debon had a less memorable day as he was hampered by mechanical
problems and had to settle for ninth meaning he will start
from the third row tomorrow.
JORGE LORENZO, POLE POSITION - Time: 1’40.007
“I had never gone so well on an Aprilia. I am happy
for the team and want to thank them because they have put
a lot of work in on the bike and the results are now coming.
I am convinced we can have a great race tomorrow and close
the gap on the championship leader. I have found a quick and
consistent rhythm and if I had not hit traffic I could have
gone even faster. I really want to win again at Assen which
is possibly the most emblematic circuit in the world. It will
be important to get a good start, find a good rhythm and try
to stretch the lead group as much as possible.”
ALEX DEBON, 9th - Time: 1’41.452
“It was a difficult session and I could not keep my
place on the front row. We had some problems with the bike
and I was only able to take advantage of the last few minutes
after changing. When I went out on the track I was a bit nervous
and I paid for a couple of errors. We will look at the set-up
again tomorrow and I am convinced we will be competitive –
with a good start we can fight with the lead group. I have
found a good rhythm and hope to help Jorge as much as possible.”
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