WorldSSP – Race 1 at Assen puts Mackenzie and Norrodin to the test
The PETRONAS MIE MS Racing Honda team and riders Adam Norrodin and Tarran Mackenzie were out on track at the Assen TT Circuit today for the first of the weekend’s World Supersport races.
Despite rain earlier on in the day, the third WorldSSP Superpole of the season ran mid-morning in dry conditions. Mackenzie set a good lap time in the initial stages, placing a momentary eighteenth. Improving on that reference with a fresh tyre in the final minutes, the young Brit’s best time, a 1’39.715, was enough to secure twenty-first position on the grid. Norrodin, who was not feeling in optimum physical shape today, unfortunately struggled to complete a clean lap, ultimately placing twenty-eighth with a time of 1’40.465. This result meant a ninth row start for the weekend’s races.
The first of the two Supersport races took place this afternoon at 2pm local time, running in cloudy but dry conditions. Mackenzie held his start position, lapping twenty-first through the initial laps, with Norrodin behind him in twenty-sixth. Unfortunately, both riders had trouble maintaining a rhythm that would allow them to battle with their closest rivals, the pair lying twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth mid-way through the 18-lap race. Making up one position apiece in the final laps, the British rider crossed the line twentieth and the Malaysian twenty-second. Both are nevertheless confident that they can harness what they have learned today in order to take a step forward in tomorrow’s second and final race.
Tarran Mackenzie P20
“The first lap of the race went OK and I was quite happy. I was struggling a little with the full fuel tank but as that got lighter, I felt I could be more consistent. During the second half of the race I felt I was gradually catching the group ahead. I couldn’t really pass anyone once I got close to them, but I was pleased be able to maintain a constant pace. It was nice to complete a full race here at Assen and I enjoyed it, so hopefully we can have another good race tomorrow.”
Adam Norrodin P22
“I didn’t feel good in myself today to be honest. I made quite a poor start to the race but was able to then make up some of that lost ground through the early laps. I was able to stick with the group for a while but towards the end I was struggling physically, feeling sick and suffering with a bad headache. This prevented me from pushing to the limit particularly in the final stages, but we know we still have room to improve and hope to take a good step tomorrow, if my physical conditions permits.”
