Third row start at Assen for Alvaro Bautista after last-minute crash

Alvaro Bautista was unable to follow up his promising free practice form with anything more than an eighth place start in tomorrow’s Dutch TT after qualifying this afternoon was interrupted for the Spaniard first by a rain shower and then by a crash.

Even though the riders were able to return to the drying track once the shower had passed it certainly didn’t help the Team San Carlo Honda Gresini rider, who at least has the race pace to suggest he can make up positions tomorrow.

Alvaro Bautista (8th 1’ 34” 722 )
“It was a shame about the crash because we did such a good job this morning and our pace was strong. This afternoon the rain came first, which set us back, and then when I went back out and tried to push I lost the front and crashed, which cost me a lot of grid positions. The good thing is we are fast and our rhythm is good so we just have to try and get a good start, make up positions as quickly as possible and not lose contact with the front guys.”

Source: Gresini Racing Press Release