Injured Terol Elects Not To Race At Assen
An unusual qualifying practice took place at Assen this afternoon as dark clouds at the start of the session made it crucial for the riders to set an early time. Several of them crashed in their haste and within five minutes the heavens opened. A brief shower gave way to one final sunny spell that afforded the riders some late dry track time and a five-minute battle for pole between Faubel, Cortese, Zarco and Viñales, the latter rider coming out on top.
BANKIA Aspar rider Héctor Faubel timed his attack well, making a charge in the last ten minutes that saw him lap just three tenths off pole position although in a tight finish it was only enough for fourth on the grid. His team-mate Nico Terol clocked the eighth fastest time but has decided not to race due to an injury he picked up in a crash at the end of the session. The series leader was already in pain after suffering a blow to his heel and a minor fracture to the little finger of his right hand in a crash this morning. When he hit the deck for a second time this afternoon he was on a potential pole lap through the first split but lost the front at turn six at 222km/h and suffered a nasty abrasion to his already injured finger. He was given anaesthetic and temporary stitches at the circuit medical centre but with damage to the tendons in his hand he has been advised to return to Barcelona for surgery, which will be carried either tonight or tomorrow morning at the Dexeus Institute by the renowned. Adrián Martín struggled to cope with the conditions and qualified in 23rd position.
4th Héctor Faubel 1.44.963 (13 laps):
“I took things with caution today because the track wasn’t in ideal shape and I have had a few too many crashes already this year. The plan was to build slowly and it worked. I pushed hard to be up there at the start of the session and then after the rain it dried out again. I think I was the first back out on slicks and that helped me to fight for pole to the end. Even with the tyres quite worn I kept pushing because there was no time to pull in and we only missed out on pole by a little bit. We have a good grid position though and I will be right behind the front guys tomorrow so I am happy with our performance and hopeful of a good race.”
8th Nico Terol 1.45.983 (14 laps):
“I am a bit disappointed, it was a strange day today. I had a heavy crash on slick tyres this morning and ended up with a small fracture to my finger. I was in pain this afternoon but felt okay on the bike and I was giving everything on the last lap. I hit the slight bend on the back straight at 222km/h and the front folded. I slid a long way and took a lot off my little finger. This is part of our job and when you find yourself in a difficult situation that is the time to show your strength. It was a bad abrasion and the tendon is affected so the right thing is to get it operated otherwise I would lose mobility. The operation will also make the recovery a little easier. It’s a shame because nobody wants to be out there more than me tomorrow but going back to Barcelona for surgery is the right move.”
23rd Adrián Martín 1.48.003 (15 laps):
“It has been a strange weekend and difficult to stay focused with the changing conditions. I don’t feel completely comfortable on the bike but I pushed as hard as I could and almost crashed a couple of times. It will be a tough race because we still have things we would like to try out but we will do as much as we can in the warm-up.”
Source: Aspar Media
