Comeback rider Binder "happy" with progress, Tulovic hopes for more
It was a long-awaited weekend for the LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP team, as it is the first time this season that both Moto2 regulars have been on the grid together. After more than seven weeks, Darryn Binder, who had been out with injury, finally returned and is happy with the progress he has made in P13. Lukas Tulovic, on the other hand, faces a challenge at the Mugello Circuit, which he is looking forward to meeting on Sunday.
Already on Friday, all eyes were on the South African, who was back on his Kalex for the first time since his crash in Austin. The gradual improvement in his lap times over the two days of practice give the 25-year-old a positive feeling for Sunday's race, in which he will start from the 13th position on row five. It will by no means be easy because the 19-lap race will be a challenge for man and machine.
Lukas Tulovic is not facing an easy task either, as the 22-year-old has been struggling with the Italian circuit amidst the Tuscan hills since the first session. The German hopes that he will have more of a chance in the race over the distance than on a fast lap. Together with his well-rehearsed crew, 'Tulo' will try to analyze all the data and set himself up in the best possible way for the sixth race of the season, for which the lights go out at 12:15 (CEST).
Results
P1
1. Pedro ACOSTA/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'50.928
2. Celestino VIETTI/ ITA/ KALEX – 1'51.124 (+0.196)
3. Alonso LOPEZ/ SPA/ BOSCOSCURO – 1'51.193 (+0.265)
17. Darryn BINDER/ RSA/ KALEX – 1'52.191 (+1.263)
26. Lukas TULOVIC/ GER/ KALEX – 1'53.563 (+2.635)
P2
1. Pedro ACOSTA/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'51.170
2. Alonso LOPEZ/ SPA/ BOSCOSCURO – 1'51.406 (+0.236)
3. Jake DIXON/ GBR/ KALEX – 1'51.708 (+0.538)
19. Lukas TULOVIC/ GER/ KALEX – 1'52.426 (+1.256)
20. Darryn BINDER/ RSA/ KALEX - 1'52.565 (+1.395)
P3
1. Pedro ACOSTA/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'50.514
2. Fermín ALDEGUER/ SPA/ BOScOSCURO – 1'50.706 (+0.192)
3. Jake DIXON/ GBR/ KALEX – 1'50.774 (+0.260)
16. Darryn BINDER/ RSA/ KALEX – 1'51.672 (+1.158)
24. Lukas TULOVIC/ GER/ KALEX – 1'52.248 (+1.734)
Q1
1. Joe ROBERTS/ USA/ KALEX – 1'51.438
2. Ai OGURA/ JAP/ KALEX – 1'51.591 (+0.153)
3. Jeremy ALCOBA/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'51.630 (+0.192)
4. Darryn BINDER/ RSA/ KALEX – 1'51.637 (+0.199)
12. Lukas TULOVIC/ GER/ KALEX – 1'52.356 (+0.918)
Q2
1. Aron CANET/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'50.796
2. Pedro ACOSTA/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'50.955 (+0.159)
3. Sam LOWES/ GBR/ KALEX – 1'50.958 (+0.162)
13. Darryn BINDER/ RSA/ KALEX – 1'51.582 (+0.786)
