Bastianini Leads The Way On Day 1 At Sachsenring. ‘Diggia’ Slowed By A Crash
Gresini Racing Team Moto3 racer Enea Bastianini closed on top the first day of practice of the German Grand Prix, today at the Sachsenring. In the second of today’s two Free Practice sessions the 18-year-old rider from Rimini rider set a lap time of 1’27”496, ahead of compatriots Romano Fenati and Nicolò Bulega. Tomorrow Bastianini will continue to work together with the team, especially to evaluate the behavior of his bike with used tyres for the race: a work made complicated today by the low track temperatures.
The first day of practice was less fortunate for the other Gresini Racing Team Moto3 rider, rookie Fabio Di Giannantonio: after a good start early in the morning session, the 17-year-old from Rome hit his head following a crash. Back on track in the afternoon, ‘Diggia’ was not hundred percent fit though, managing to improve only 0.1 seconds compared to the morning session and closing the day with the 24th fastest time in the combined classification, 1’29”346.
ENEA BASTIANINI (1st – 1’27”496)
“Basically, in the morning session I took the measures to the track, because the asphalt was very cold and it was difficult to ride with used tyres, because the bike was moving a lot at the rear. Then in the afternoon the conditions improved slightly, we worked well solving some front end issues and in the final stages, with new tyres, I managed to make a good step forward: I was able to push hard and I felt comfortable. So I’m happy with this first day, although tomorrow we will continue to work for the race on used tyres; however, given the conditions encountered today, almost all riders are in the same situation. Now we will check the data in preparation for tomorrow, hoping to find a bit higher temperatures”.
FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO (24th – 1’29”346)
“This morning things started very well, then, unfortunately, I crashed and I hit my head. As a result in the afternoon session I was not one hundred percent, and I was not able to set good lap times. The track conditions were not the best to push today, without doubt, but Enea has been very strong, so we also want to improve: tomorrow I will have to start almost from scratch, but it will be a better day, for sure! With regard to the bike the situation is already quite good: it works well and we just need to work on a few details”.
FAUSTO GRESINI
“This first day was definitely positive for Enea: he worked well in the morning session, continuing to improve in the afternoon thanks to some set-up changes. Of course we must still work on the race pace, but we are already competitive and this is important. I’m happy for him and for the work done with the team and Honda and Ohlins technicians. Too bad for the fall of Di Giannantonio: Fabio hit his head and consequently in the afternoon he was not feeling very well to push. Definitely not a good start for him, but we look forward to tomorrow hoping that he will be fully fit to return to give his best”.
