Paris: Italian Andrea Dovizioso took pole position for the Dutch Grand Prix at Assen by edging out compatriot Valentino Rossi in qualifying on Saturday.
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The Yamaha rider was second to Iannone on Friday afternoon by just 0.004 seconds and then fourth in third practice but just 0.100s off Dovizioso’s benchmark.
“I think that at the end we will use the Formula 1 layout with some modifications, I think at this moment”.
“So this is good, especially after a bad weekend in Barcelona”.
Dovizioso and Rossi both pitted for a new rear tyre during qualifying as the track dried, and the Ducati man admitted that running behind his countryman was beneficial.
“We speak about Assen and have two or three points – like the braking for the last chicane or the exit from the last chicane – where we ask for some room, some more space”, he said. “The gravel was very close to the track and when I arrived to it I had a very high speed and I rolled through the gravel a lot”, said the Spaniard.
“Is not easy but I think they can do something – in general, anyway, Assen is quite safe, also very fast”.
Iannone, penalised for colliding with Jorge Lorenzo in Barcelona last time out, pipped Ducati team-mate Andrea Dovizioso to first place in FP1.
Although the inclement weather died down somewhat in time for qualifying, the conditions still had an impact as Marc Marquez and Maverick Vinales crashed on their out-laps.
Rossi said: “I think that a year ago here was one of the best weekends for me”.
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“We have data, and I think it’s possible to improve the bike a little bit”.
