Assen World Supersport: Jonathan Rea fastest first time out

Jonathan Rea started as he means to go on by posting the fastest lap in the opening free practice session at Assen this morning (Friday).

His performance and lap time surprised everybody given that he’s never ridden the Dutch circuit before and has spent the last few weeks watching DVD’s of previous races and learning the layout on his Playstation.

Second position went to Broc Parkes who was fastest until a high speed crash forced him out of the session and brought out the red flags with 14 minutes remaining. It is still unclear how he crashed but the Australian sustained a bruised right hand in the crash but is fit to ride in this afternoon’s timed session.

Parkalgar Honda rider Craig Jones made it two Brits in the top three with local man Barry Veneman in fourth onboard his Hoegee Suzuki.

Championship leader Joan Lascorz is so far unable to dominate like he did at his home track of Valencia and ended the 45 minute session in ninth spot.

Chris Walker claimed 20th place 2.1 seconds off Jonathan Rea’s best time with Graeme Gowland in 27th 3.1 seconds off the pace. Wildcard Kev Coughlan finished up in 31st place.

Assen World Supersport practice one results:

1 J. REA GBR Hannspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR600RR 1’42.594
2 B. PARKES AUS Yamaha World Supersport Yamaha YZF-R6 1’42.831
3 C. JONES GBR Parkalgar Racing Team Honda CBR600RR 1’42.926
4 B. VENEMAN NED RES Software Hoegee Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R600 1’43.052
5 I. CLEMENTI ITA Triumph Italia BE1 Racing Triumph 675 1’43.135
6 M. ROCCOLI ITA Yamaha Lorenzini by Leoni Yamaha YZF-R6 1’43.345
7 G. NANNELLI ITA Hannspree Honda Althea Honda CBR600RR 1’43.412
8 F. FORET FRA Yamaha World Supersport Yamaha YZF-R6 1’43.422
9 J. LASCORZ ESP Glaner Motocard.com Honda CBR600RR 1’43.456
10 J. BROOKES AUS Hannspree Stiggy Motors. Honda Honda CBR600RR 1’43.526
11 A. RODRIGUEZ ESP Yamaha Spain Yamaha YZF-R6 1’43.590
12 A. PITT AUS Hannspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR600RR 1’43.620
13 G. VIZZIELLO ITA Berry Racing Honda CBR600RR 1’43.713
14 D. SALOM ESP Yamaha Spain Yamaha YZF-R6 1’43.864
15 M. LAGRIVE FRA Intermoto Czech Honda CBR600RR 1’43.921
16 M. AITCHISON AUS Triumph Italia BE1 Racing Triumph 675 1’44.407
17 K. FUJIWARA JPN Kawasaki Gil Motor Sport Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’44.437
18 D. VAN KEYMEULEN BEL RES Software Hoegee Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R600 1’44.523
19 G. MCCOY AUS Triumph – SC Triumph 675 1’44.547
20 C. WALKER GBR Kawasaki Gil Motor Sport Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’44.746
21 M. PRAIA POR Parkalgar Racing Team Honda CBR600RR 1’44.858
22 V. KALLIO FIN Benjan Racing Team Honda CBR600RR 1’45.019
23 R. HARMS DEN Hannspree Stiggy Motors. Honda Honda CBR600RR 1’45.057
24 G. LEBLANC FRA CRS Grand Prix Honda CBR600RR 1’45.110
25 I. DIONISI ITA Triumph – SC Triumph 675 1’45.193
26 M. GIANSANTI ITA Berry Racing Honda CBR600RR 1’45.463
27 G. GOWLAND GBR Benjan Racing Team Honda CBR600RR 1’45.782
28 D. DELL’OMO ITA HP Racing Team Honda CBR600RR 1’46.299
29 L. NEDOG SLO CRS Grand Prix Honda CBR600RR 1’46.450
30 W.DE ANGELIS RSM Intermoto Czech Honda CBR600RR 1’46.520
31 K. COGHLAN GBR Hannspree Honda Althea Honda CBR600RR 1’46.760
32 A. VINCENT FRA Gil Motor Sport – Solution F Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’46.762
33 S. BARRAGAN ESP Glaner Motocard.com Honda CBR600RR 1’46.789
34 J. UITTERDIJK NED Woudstra’s Wegrace Promotie Yamaha YZF-R6 1’46.861
35 L. ALFONSI ITA PMS Honda CBR600RR 1’47.269
36 R. VAN STEENBERGEN NED Stichting Racen Tegen Kanker Honda CBR600RR 1’47.390