Filip Salac posted a sensational lap time to top Friday’s Practice session at the TT Circuit Assen, while Jake Dixon was 8^th in spite of some technical issues.

Moto2 proceedings didn’t quite go to plan at Assen on Friday morning. An oil spill at the close of Moto3 FP1 meant Moto2 FP1 was delayed by an hour and reduced from 40 to 35 minutes.

Once Elf Marc VDS Racing Team riders Jake Dixon and Filip Salac got going, the track had dried significantly after overnight rain, meaning slick tyres were the order of the day.

From there, conditions were cool and windy through Friday afternoon, with Practice taking place in ambient temperatures of 17 degrees.

Jake Dixon, 8^th – 1’35.687

Jake started the day brightly and he refamiliarised himself with the TT Circuit Assen layout in fine style during FP1, when he was 9^th quickest.

The 29-year old started the session brilliantly, posting a 1’35.687 time on his 1^st flying lap to go to the head of the standings. But starting his 4^th lap of the session, he suffered an engine failure entering Turn 1.

That meant the Briton had to sit out the rest of the session. And despite missing the majority of Practice, Jake still qualified for Q2 tomorrow thanks to his 2^nd flying lap.

“Today was actually a really good even if we had a technical problem in the afternoon. I only managed a couple of flying laps in Practice, but it was really positive. I can’t wait for tomorrow because I feel good on the bike. I think my new Britney Spears haircut is really helping the situation out. This is half the battle and I’m saving a few tenths with this streamlined haircut! I’m looking forward to getting some more laps in and continuing this good feeling.”

Filip Salac, 1^st – 1’34.869

Like his team-mate, Filip started the day strongly and was immediately in the mix in FP1. He ended the delayed session in 7^th.

The 23-year old used the 1^st part of Practice to work on his race rhythm. In two separate runs, Filip posted 6 laps in the 1’35s/1’36s.

On the 1^st flying lap in his final run, Filip went fastest with a time that was 0.35s under the previous Moto2 outright lap record. The Czech rider ended the day 0.34s clear of 2^nd placed Aron Canet.

“It was a good day. It was a bit of a crazy session in the morning. We waited one hour and then after the delay the conditions were not perfect. I didn’t push at 100% because I wanted to see how the conditions were, so I was making laps. I was able to finish in P7. Then in the afternoon I had a fast lap directly from the beginning. We were missing a bit of pace in the middle of Practice. But I know where to improve. I was then able to do a fast lap at the end and was able to do another P1. I want to thank the team for all of their hard work. I hope they’re enjoying this and I can’t wait for tomorrow to try and get a good qualifying.”