The third round of the World Superbike championship kicks off again, three weeks after Donington Park round and this time the round is being hosted at the legendary TT Assen circuit, and it will be every rider to himself and out to stop Althea Ducati’s Carlos Checa from gaining an even further lead in the standings, after his three race victories in the first two rounds.
The weather may play a very important factor as the forecast predicts rain hitting the Dutch circuit all weekend long and wet races always give up pretty suprising results as the MotoGP race at Jerez proved.
Carlos Checa:“I like the track and it is a very significant place as far as the history of motorcycling is concerned.
I think it could be a good track for us and that we will be able to adapt well to it.
Of course our objective is to maintain the level of performance that we’ve shown during the first races, we want to make the most of this opportunity.
I just hope that the weather stays dry, at least for race day!” Jonathan Rea:“I’m really excited to be heading back to Assen this weekend as I have a lot of good memories from there.
Like last year, I’ve been camping in the motorhome at the workshop for the last week or so and doing some PR stuff for the team and the circuit.
We also had the Ten Kate Pit Stop Day last Saturday, which was a great opportunity to meet the fans at the workshop in Nieuwleusen.
At the weekend, we’ll obviously be looking to capitalize at the team’s home circuit where we tested a lot last year and where we know the Honda Fireblade works really well.
After the unforgettable weekend we had last year, there’s obviously a bit of pressure, but we’ll just work steadily over Friday and Saturday to put ourselves in a good position for Sunday and try to get our season started properly.
”Ruben Xaus:“I spent last Saturday at the team’s workshop for Pit Stop Day which was a very nice experience with very many people.
This weekend at Assen, we just need everything to be normal so we can make the next step forward.
Friday at Donington Park went very well but then we were affected by the cold weather and struggled a little bit.
Assen should be better and we know how hard everyone is working to improve things – but the competition has improved also, so it’s not an easy job.
I like the Assen circuit very much and, although not as good as Jonathan’s weekend last year, I have had some great results and good battles there over the years.
I have some good feelings for this weekend and I hope Assen will be the turning point for us as we head into better weather for rest of the season.
”Max Biaggi:“Last year we had a few problems here mostly during Superpole, although I must say that I like this track.
Compared to last season I expect to be more competitive right from the start.
It will be important to work well during practice in order to be as prepared as possible for the two races on Sunday.
Especially if it rains, it is vital that we start out front.
We lost a few points in the first two races, so here at Assen we need to aim for the best possible results.
I’m starting off motivated, with a great desire to get back on the bike and experience the weekend at Assen to its fullest”.
Leon Camier: “I had my first World Superbike podium there last year so it holds some good memories.
It’s a really physical circuit so I don’t know how I’ll hold up, but I’m doing everything I can to try and score another couple of strong results.
Keith Code from the California Superbike School is coming to help me again.
His input at Donington Park was invaluable so it’s a boost to know he’ll be there.
Throughout the last race weekend I struggled towards the end of every session with fatigue so I’ve also got my trainer coming”.
Tom Sykes: “I am looking forward to Assen partly because Donington was a bit unfortunate for me, but there were a lot of positives to take away about the ability of the new Ninja ZX-10R.
I really enjoy racing at the Assen circuit and we were not too shabby on the older model last year.
I never got to sample the real old Assen layout, but judging by the sections that remain the full old circuit would have been interesting to ride.
But to be honest most circuits on the WSBK calendar are fun to ride, especially with this new bike that is able to work at each circuit.
It is pleasing to ride.
As long as the bike works at every track I am happy to ride at every track, but Assen is still one of my favourites.
”Joan Lascorz: “The result of Donington was good for my motivation and for Kawasaki to see that we are heading in a good way.
Is nice to ride with people like Biaggi, Rea, Haslam, Xaus and others, so I learned a lot.
I’m not at 100% yet physically but even with this we were able to make a good race in England.
I’m better than I was in Australia and in Assen I will be better than I was in Donington.
I like Assen, and used to made good races there in the past in WSS.
We will see in WSBK how we can manage.
Since Donington I have ridden some Supermotard with my chief engineer Pere Riba, which was very funny.
We also tested with a 600 in a small circuit just to keep up my race fitness a little.
Kawasaki is working so hard all the time so I hope to have a good weekend in the Netherlands.
”Chris Vermeulen: “My impressions of the new bike are all positive.
Kawasaki has done an amazing job with it and I am just excited to look at the development of this bike, even thought it is in the early stages.
I think the biggest difference on the new model comes from the chassis, the balance and the character the bike has in turning.
Also the electronics are a big step forward.
The engine feels smoother even thought it is more powerful, and the whole bike is what we need to compete.
”Roberto Rolfo: “My win in the Italian Superbike series at Misano boosted both my morale, and that of the team, because we were finally able to see the fruit of the work we had put in at Phillip Island and Donington.
At Misano we found a good set-up for my Ninja and so we’ll go from there this weekend at Assen.
I really like the track, as it is very technical and hard work.
I’m confident and hope to do well in Sunday’s races, for my team and for all my fans.
”Mark Aitchison: “At Donington we collected a lot of valuable data that will enable us to refine our bike setting and hopefully make me more comfortable on the bike throughout the upcoming weekend.
So really the goal for Assen in the first two days of practice and qualifying is to regain the feeling that I had with the bike in Phillip Island.
Once I get this sensation back, I can really start to push for better lap times and look for some race consistency.
”Michel Fabrizio:“Other riders say how good Assen circuit is, but it has never been much of a happy hunting ground for me – well not since 2006 that is.
I’m not exactly sure why I have never got on with the circuit as well as some of the other riders, but the track and I have just not gelled – for whatever reason.
Mind you things will be a bit different this year because, after years on a twin, this time I will be on a four cylinder bike.
The characteristics are very different to a twin and I am hoping that the bike will suit the circuit and I will enjoy the ride.
Because the track has a flowing nature, once again it will be important to get a good, stable set-up before pushing too hard.
If you push too hard at this track, you will end up going slower, so I need to keep calm and just get into a good rhythm.
If I can do that and qualify well, then I am sure I can challenge the top guys.
I was happy with my performance in the second race in the last round and felt I was working well with the bike, or maybe the bike was working well with me! I need to get a good set-up for the bike early on in practice and qualifying and then I will be able to run with leaders.
The competition is very, very hard this year and often just fractions of a second can make the difference between the front row of the grid and the third.
I think this is probably the toughest season in World Superbike history, but I am enjoying the challenge.
I like a good fight and certainly intend on improving on my last year’s results.
”Leon Haslam:“Assen is one of the circuits I really like.
I have really enjoyed racing there.
I think I have stood on the podium with every bike I have ridden there.
For this reason I am really looking forward to it.
I hope we can take another step forward and continue pushing at the front of the field.
The circuit has a unique layout.
The most important thing in Assen is to find a good rhythm.
You cannot simply push without thinking – that would actually slow you down.
You have to use your head.
BMW’s performance in Assen last year showed that the circuit suits the bike.
Our goal is to build on what has so far been a good start to the season.
”Troy Corser:“Assen is a fast and flowing circuit.
You spend a lot of time leaning in bends, and the riders are subjected to enormous G forces.
In Donington Park we had some issues, as our tyres did not give us enough grip.
We are working on solving this issue, so that we do not have to cope with the same problems in the next race.
The circuit in Assen is known for its high speeds and some really fast changes of direction.
For this reason it is very important to have the bike working well if we are going to battle at the front like we know we can.
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