2. Broc Parkes (MotoGP)
With CRT a thing of the past and open class Yamahas and Hondas very much a part of the present, Broc Parkes’ job is a lot tougher than it might have been in previous years. The Australian has impressed during his rookie campaign, scoring Paul Bird Motorsport’s only point in the opening seven races, but Assen saw his best showing yet.
A rain-affected race brought an opportunity for the British squad but a crash on the sighting lap threatened to eliminate Parkes before the safety car had even left the grid. Fortunately, Broc was ok and able to start from the pitlane and with so little to lose, the PBM rider gambled on slick tyres. What an inspired call it proved to be.
By lap seven, the rest of the field were already recognising that the track wasn’t damp enough for wet tyres and needed to pit under flag to flag rules. Parkes however had been quick enough on his slicks that the lack of a bike change brought him right into contention. Once everyone had switched, he was running sixth.
While the likes of Andrea Iannone, Alvaro Bautista and Cal Crutchlow were building their confidence, Parkes was matching them for pace although the superior machinery at the disposal of the factory riders eventually made the difference. With four laps remaining, Stefan Bradl knocked Broc out of the top ten but eleventh was still nothing short of magnificent in the circumstances.
(Photo Credit: MotoGP.com)
