Simoncelli fastest in final 250cc Assen free practice

Friday, 27 June 2008

Marco Simoncelli was the fastest rider round a drying track in the 250cc final free practice.

Marco Simoncelli was the 250cc class´ quickest man in the final free practice session for the A-Style TT Assen, recording a 1´40.948 time on a track rapidly drying out after some morning rainfall.

The Italian was, as has become a custom in 2008, shadowed by Mapfre Aspar´s Alvaro Bautista in the session, the Spaniard little over a tenth of a second slower onboard his Aprilia machinery. The provisional poleman was a further tenth of a second ahead of fellow temporary front row starter Hector Barbera.

The rider who clashed with Barbera in yesterday´s opening qualifying session, Alex Debon was the final rider within a second of Simoncelli, whilst Hector Faubel, Yuki Takahashi, Roberto Locatelli and Hiroshi Aoyama all placed higher than series leader and Donington racewinner Mika Kallio. The Finn is currently occupying a spot on the third row of the grid and, although he proved last week that a comeback is possible, the Red Bull KTM rider would welcome dry weather and a chance for improvement in this afternoon´s second qualifying session.