First laps at Brno for Husqvarna riders

15/08/2014

Danny Kent and Niklas Ajo complete first two practice sessions of the weekend with the eleventh and fourteenth fastest times, respectively, on the combined timesheet.

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For the second consecutive weekend, Danny Kent and Niklas Ajo were onboard their Husqvarna bikes on Friday to begin a new Grand Prix -this time the Czech Republic round. The weather was fine for the two Moto3 practice sessions today, as the riders enjoyed a completely dry track. Kent concluded the first day with the eleventh best time on the combined timesheet: 2:08.923. Ajo was fourteenth with a 2:09.407 lap.

A strong opening 40 minutes for the Husqvarna riders at the Czech circuit saw them riding in favourable conditions, under track temperatures of 19ºC. Both Danny Kent and Niklas Ajo improved constanly in the session. The Red Bull Husqvarna Ajo rider made just one visit back to his garage and completed a long run of 10 consecutive laps, including his best time of 2:09.262 for seventh. Niklas Ajo finished tenth, thanks to a last lap of 2:09.407.

In the second practice session, the track temperature rose to 39ºC and Danny Kent improved his morning time, stopping the clock at 2:08.923 on his eighth lap to place eleventh. Avant Tecno Husqvarna Ajo rider Niklas Ajo was unable to best his time from the first session, although he practically matched his top lap from the morning on his tenth attempt, with a time of 2:09.443 for fourteenth place.

Tomorrow sees the second day of action from 9.00am, with the last free practice session followed by qualifying at 12:35pm.

Results (Combined practice time FP1-FP2)
1. Alex Marquez (Honda) 2:07.969
2. Alex Rins (Honda) 2:08.303 +0.334
3. Alexis Masbou (Honda) 2:08.412 +0.443
4. Jakub Kornfeil (KTM) 2:08.430 +0.461
5. Enea Bastianini (KTM) 2:08.529 +0.560
11. Danny Kent (Red Bull Husqvarna Ajo) 2:08.923 +0.923
14. Niklas Ajo (Avant Tecno Husqvarna Ajo) 2:09.407 +1.438

Danny Kent >> Audio (solely for radio use)

“We’ve changed the setup a little from Indianapolis and the truth is that we didn’t feel as comfortable, especially with the front. I do not have the confidence to brake hard when cornering. This afternoon we will look at the telemetry and analyse where we can improve for tomorrow, but perhaps we will go back to the same settings we used at Indianapolis to make it a little easier. I’m not too happy with how things went today; the feeling was not the same as at the last few rounds. We can definitely do better tomorrow.”

Niklas Ajo >> Audio (solely for radio use)

“This track has surprised me again this year, because it has many more bumps than the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I had some problems today. We did not find the setup we wanted and my riding style is not at all suited to the track. The bike was wobbling a lot, especially the front. We need to improve this for tomorrow to have a better feeling. After this happens I think we can be quick, because in spite of these problems we were 14th today. It is true that the gap to the top is big, but the track is very long. We cannot be too disappointed. We have to work hard and find the right setup.”

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