The Dutch GP was anything but straightforward for Stefan Bradl (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini), Assen’s first Sunday race starting on a wet track. For teams like Aprilia, wet weather races can be a blessing as the rain levels the playing field and removes the handicap of being a new team. During the race Bradl got as high as 11th place, the race eventually stopped due to weather conditions and resulting in a restarted 12-lap dash to decide the outcome.
For the restart Bradl switched to his second machine, the first encountering a small electrical problem. This bike had a different setting and meant the second race was one of management more than aggression for the German. Even with a less than ideal setting, he crossed the line in eighth position; his fourth top ten of the year with Aprilia. Bradl now begins to prepare for the most important race of the year; his home round at the Sachsenring.
Stefan Bradl: “It was definitely a race that will spark a lot of discussion. Race Direction took the right decision. The track was really getting dangerous. I was riding with confidence and I felt good in the saddle even if it was definitely not easy to go fast. Unfortunately, once I was back in the garage, we had a small electronics problem so I had to restart with the second bike. The geometry was slightly different and the feeling was not perfect, so I managed the race, in any case bringing home an important result. This is a good calling card for my home race at the Sachsenring.”