The three-week break seems to have had a reviving effect on Olivier Jacque, who led the charge for the Kawasaki Racing Team today to finish this afternoon’s free practice session sixth fastest overall at the impressive anti-clockwise circuit of Istanbul Park.
After two days of fickle weather, the forecast have been respected today and a sunny but cold day has characterised the opening day of the Turkish Grand Prix, although overnight rain left the 5.34 km track damp and slippery.
Jacque was one of the first ones to go out on the track in this morning’s hour-long session and the improvements tested at Jerez’s test proved to be on the right direction allowing him to carry out a steady performance since the very first moment.
With the track almost ten degrees warmer in the afternoon, Kawasaki’s 33-year-old kept working on the gearbox and the balance of his Ninja ZX-RR as well as their choice of tyres. After last year’s performance, it was a mystery how competitive Bridgestone tyres’ were going to be and eight of their riders at the top ten was a splendid result for the Japanese manufacturer.
Worse was the debut of Jacque’s teammate. Randy de Puniet was one of the numerous riders to suffer the consequences of this morning’s unpredictable track. The 26-year-old Frenchman was high-sided off his Ninja ZX-RR due to an excess of confidence that led him to rush when opening the throttle on only his second lap at the Turkish circuit.
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