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Bulega Tops Assen FP1 as Ducati Sweeps Top Three After Fuel-Flow Cut

A new fuel‑flow cap failed to dent Ducati’s pace, setting an early benchmark that rivals must chase into FP2.

Overview

  • Nicolo Bulega led Free Practice 1 at Assen on Friday with a 1:33.952 lap that put him 0.256 seconds ahead.
  • Ducati riders locked out the top three, with Iker Lecuona second and Sam Lowes third, and Lorenzo Baldassarri added fourth to underline the brand’s speed.
  • The FIM trimmed fuel flow by 0.5 kg per hour for Ducati and Bimota before the session, a rule that slows how quickly fuel can reach the engine.
  • ROKiT BMW’s Danilo Petrucci crashed at Turn 16 late in the session yet still ranked sixth with a 1:34.737 as the team assessed damage.
  • Teammate Miguel Oliveira fell at Turn 10 with about 12 minutes left and finished 12th, leaving BMW with setup and repair work before the next practice.