Alvaro Bautista (Angel Nieto Team) is on a good roll of late, taking P9 at the Motul TT Assen and ending the race only half a second off Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) in eighth. He was also close to the front.
“It was more real,” begins Bautista, with no crashes having happened ahead of the Spaniard. And even more encouraging is that the gap to eventual winner Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) was just 7.5 seconds. “The distance to first is the most important thing, and it was the smallest it’s been all season.”
Enjoying the last chicane in #Assen ????????
— Alvaro Bautista Arce (@19Bautista) 29 June 2018
Disfrutando en la ultima chicane de #Assen #AB19 #DutchGP @motogp @angelnietoteam pic.twitter.com/RnRKDp0fvQ
It’s now three top tens in a row for the number 19, all of them ninth-place finishes. After a tougher start to the season, that bodes well – and there’s just one more thing to pull it all together.
“I didn’t feel good before with the bike or tyre,” continues the Spaniard. “I’m happy we’ve made good progress and a good progression. We’re working well and with hard work anything is possible! We keep trying.
Best QP of the season! Ready for enjoy tomorrow!????????
— Alvaro Bautista Arce (@19Bautista) 30 June 2018
Mejor QP del año! Listos para disfrutar mañana!????????#AB19 #DutchGP #keepworking #keeppushing #nevergiveup pic.twitter.com/36sOnPHc2W
“We’re still lacking a bit in qualifying but this weekend we went through to Q2 for the first time this season. Starting further forward helps a lot!”
That will be the goal next time out, too – as will continuing the run of upward form when the German GP begins on July 13th.