ADAC NEC: Perfect timing for Kroeze and Dupasquier in Assen qualifying

• Second round of ADAC Northern Europe Cup under WorldSBK banner in changeable weather conditions
• Sander Kroeze shines in Standard class
• GP driver Jason Dupasquier on pole

Assen: After making a successful debut at Silverstone last weekend, the riders in the ADAC Northern Europe Cup (NEC) got the second round of the season under way in Assen in the Netherlands with free practice on Friday and qualifying on Saturday. Local rider Sander Kroeze (14, NED) and Jason Dupasquier (14, SUI) set the pace in the Standard and GP categories at the 4.555-km track.

While heavy rain at the TT Circuit in Assen had greeted ADAC NEC riders during the second round on Friday, skies cleared on Saturday, but the rain set in again after only a few minutes of the afternoon session. Strong winds also made the 25-minute qualifying session challenging. The track dried out again in the final minutes of the session, enabling many ADAC NEC riders to reduce their lap times once more.

Competing on home turf in the Netherlands, Standard class rider Sander Kroeze successfully fought the weather conditions to post the fastest time of 1:54.831 on his final qualifying lap, which enabled him to book fourth place on the grid behind three GP riders. Sasha De Vits (14, BEL) was another rider able to produce a hot time on his last flying lap. The Belgian set the second-fastest time in the Standard class and will also start from the second row. Rick Dunnik (14, NED) was third fastest. The flying Dutchman lost 0.488 seconds on Kroeze. Leon Czichos (14, DEU) took fourth place, while Kevin Orgis (16, DEU) completed the Top Five in the Standard category.

Jason Dupasquier clinched pole position in the Grand Prix class. The Swiss rider notched up a best time of 1:53.180 in the final minute, which his rivals were unable to beat. Guest starter Mike Brouwers (19, GBR) secured second place and was 0.282 seconds down on Dupasquier. Ernst Dubbink (27, NED) took third place in the Grand Prix class. Dennis Koopman (19, NED), who secured a podium at Silverstone, came home in fourth place, while Johanna Innerfors (21, SWE) posted the fifth-fastest time of all the GP riders.

The third race of the ADAC Northern Europe Cup starts on Sunday under the banner of the MOTUL FIM World Superbike Championship at 16:05 and will be held over 13 laps.

Comments from the front-runners

Sander Kroeze (14, NED), fastest, ADAC NEC Standard:
“It rained yesterday, so I held back a little and only finished sixth. Now I’m the fastest Standard class rider, which is great. It started to rain, so I pitted and consulted with the team. After that, I went back out on track and posted my fastest lap time – on a slick tyre. This is my home track, so I know it really well. I didn’t have much grip, but it was enough. I’m very happy with this result. I would obviously like to win tomorrow in front of a home crowd, but if I don’t pull it off, I’ll try to at least get on the podium.”

Jason Dupasquier (14, SUI), fastest, ADAC NEC GP:
“I really like this track. It’s technically very demanding, because the combinations of turns are great. I like them. Things went quite well yesterday, but it rained, and I’m not a big fan of wet tracks. The track was dry today in qualifying, which I far prefer. I felt comfortable and so, managed to secure a good result. I’m very pleased to be starting on pole. I hope I can win the race, but my rivals will be very hard to beat. It’s going to be exciting.”