WSBK/WSS: SO CLOSE TO THE TOP TEN IN RACE 2, BUT TOO MUCH GAP IN THE FIRST LAPS!

The team’s work yesterday evening allowed Philipp to be able to fight in
today’s two races, but the staory was similar to yesterday’s; a lot of
time lost in the first laps, where the main difficulty is finding space
for overtaking, then from the middle of the race onwards a pace in line
with the Top 8. This is the aspect to work on, which conditions the
races in our start of the season!

The morning got off to a good start for the Go Eleven rider, in the Warm
Up he was able to get down to a low 35, a time in line with the pace of
Race 1. Ninth position and a good feeling especially at the front.

Warm Up:
P 1 J. Rea 1.34.747
P 2 A. Bautista + 0.092
P 3 T. Razgatlioglu + 0.275
…
P 9 P. Oettl + 0.594

The Superpole Race here in Assen was held over a shortened distance of 8
laps, due to oil on the track in the Warm Up Lap. Even more difficult to
recover for Philipp, starting from fourteenth place. The first lap,
which was decisive in these sprint races, was rather complicated, then
lap after lap he improved and came back a few positions, fighting above
all with Petrucci, finishing in front of him at the chequered flag. No
points taken, but the awareness of being able to think about the Top Ten
in Race 2.

Superpole Race:
P 1 A. Bautista 12’37.045
P 2 J. Rea + 0.916
P 3 T. Razgatlioglu + 1.757
…
P 14 P. Oettl + 12.037

At the start of Race 2 Philipp managed to get off to a good start,
defending his position, then suffering a couple of attacks in the first
and second sectors. Unfortunately, the race was “lost” in the first six
laps, when he was in the fight with slower riders, the group in front,
battling for the Top Ten, took a clear advantage. In the second half of
the race he was faster than Rinaldi, Redding and Lowes, closing the gap
by almost half a second per lap, managing to slip behind the Ducati
rider. Eleventh position conquered, a step forward compared to
yesterday, but there is still a lot to work on.

Race 2:
P 1 A. Bautista 33’14.560
P 2 T. Razgatlioglu + 3.915
P 3 A. Locatelli + 7.416
…
P 11 P. Oettl + 21.645

This Round, held on a particular track like the TT-Circuit, highlighted
the major problems affecting the results of the Italian team in this
part of the season; all the riders are really close, just a few
thousandths away, and a start from the rear, combined with a difficulty
in dealing with overtaking relegates to a comeback race. A comeback that
becomes difficult when all the riders lap with two, maximum three tenths
of a difference. 21 seconds taken in Race 2 is not a lot, but 12 of
which in the first seven laps highlight the area you need to focus on.

Now the WorldSBK circus moves to Barcelona, where last year Philipp
finished in the top ten, a track where Ducati should perform very well.
However, each year is unique, so Team Go Eleven will have to work and
find the right set-up!

Philipp Oettl (Rider):”Today we made a step in the right direction, starting from the Warm Up.
The start and the first laps are our biggest problem at the moment, we
don’t miss a lot to fight in the group, but we missed just two/three
tenths to have a really good race. This weekend we choice the right
tyre, I was quite confident with the front. I struggled to overtake,
especially the BMWs, i lost a lot of seconds there with Baz. We are
fast, but we know where to improve. Physically i feel really good, I had
zero problem through the weekend, even if I came from Le Mans 24 hour. I
will keep working in the same way and we will have better days in the
future!“

Denis Sacchetti (Team Manager):”Today we took a step forward but we lost too much time in the early
stages of the race. It was difficult for Philipp to overtake Baz and
with him we lost contact with the group that was fighting for sixth
position. Everyone is riding very close here, the difference of
performance among the riders is minimal, and nothing is enough to move
from fifth to fifteenth, while still remaining “fast”. We have to take
care of every detail and improve in the first half of the race. We are
competitive even if we haven’t achieved the result that we want and this
is what leaves a bitter taste in our mouth, it’s like smelling good food
but not being able to eat it… it makes us want even more! Now we can
only focus on ourselves and improve to be back to the top positions!”