Tony Arbolino felt comfortable through the first day of practice at the Dutch TT and finished Practice 1 in 5^th while Filip Salac was declared unfit for the rest of the weekend after suffering a fast high-side in the afternoon session.

• The tropically hot conditions which greeted Elf Marc VDS Racing Team riders Tony Arbolino and Filip Salac on Thursday at the TT Circuit Assen were replaced by cooler ambient temperatures of 20 degrees on Friday afternoon for the first sessions on the weekend.
• The action at the legendary Dutch venue outside starts on Saturday at 9:25 for Practice 2 before qualifying gets underway at 13.45 local time.

/// TONY ARBOLINO, 5^th – 1’36.282

• After a three-week break, Tony immediately felt comfortable when back on the bike in FP and soon found his rhythm. He ended FP in 7^th. Through the day he worked on the front of the bike to find a better feeling mid-corner and to improve turning in fast corners.
• The Italian believes he and his crew have found a good base setting to work from on Friday. He again showed consistency over a strong 9-lap run in P1, when he posted the 5^th fastest time.

“I feel like I have the speed and as though I can improve even more”

“It’s been an important Friday first of all because we’re back after a long three-week break. I was feeling like I had never been away, which is one of the best feelings to have. The position today isn’t bad. We are there. I feel like I have the speed and as though I can improve even more from here. We’re on the right way to doing things in a good way this weekend. It’s important to not touch the bike as we’ve found a good base on the technical side. So, we’re going to keep working and aim for a top qualifying performance tomorrow!”

/// FILIP SALAC, Not classified

• The Czech rider enjoyed a solid start at the Dutch venue on Friday morning as he set the 13^th fastest time in FP and felt comfortable on the bike.
• Filip was seeking early improvements in Practice 1 but suffered a fast highside on the exit of Turn 7 on his out lap. The Czech rider was taken to local hospital for checks and doctors have asked for him to remain overnight so they can monitor his condition after he received a blow to the head in the fall.

“It was a strange crash at very high speed”

“That wasn’t the day we wanted. The crash came after a good morning session. I was feeling good on the bike and the pace was there. I was feeling quite strong. But I had a big crash at the start of Practice 1 on my out lap. It was a strange crash at very high speed. I feel OK but the doctors thought it was safer to remain in observation and monitor my condition during the night. I am very sad to end the GP in this way as I was confident and motivated to get a good result here. I need now to take a rest and follow the medical advice so I can hopefully have as fast a recovery as possible.”