When you have multiple days at the same race track, you often pick up the pace right where you left off the previous day, and this time was no different. We skipped the first session because the track was still a bit cold, which would have only worn down the tire faster. We didn’t want to risk a crash since we had plenty of track time ahead.

As the sessions progressed, my lap times started to drop significantly. One of my challenges on fast race tracks is handling the really high-speed corners. This track has a particularly fast one Curvone (Turn 11)—where you enter in 5th gear at high RPM. Getting a good line into such a fast turn isn’t my strength! However, Peter (the “old guy”) loves these corners, so I tried to follow him on the entry. The first few times, it felt pretty scary, and I slowed down on entry. But after passing through it a few times, I managed to enter without slowing down, keeping my speed steady. Through the following corners, Turns 12, 13, and 14, I felt confident and managed to catch up with quite a few riders.

I made solid personal progress, which I hope to carry with me to other tracks, like TT Circuit Assen and Zolder, where I tend to struggle a bit in these high-speed sections.

After five long sessions, the day was over, and I had shaved 3 more seconds off my time from the first day. A perfect way to end the day—with a smile!