Assen welcomes WSBK for Round 3

Assen welcomes WSBK for Round 3

Since 1992 the TT Circuit Assen has been part of the World Superbike calendar and it is currently the second most visited venue in the history of the series after Phillip Island. Also known as the Circuit van Drenthe, it is one of the oldest permanent racetracks in Europe. Since the opening in 1926 it has been subject to several modifications, with the current layout featuring six left handers, eleven right handers and a 300m long start/finish straight.

After raising the bar in the second round of the season, the Kawasaki Racing Team hopes to keep the momentum going. The dominant performance by KRT duo Tom Sykes and Loris Baz at Aragon had a significant impact on the points situation, leaving only Aprilia Racing Team’s Sylvain Guintoli within close range. The Frenchman is 11 points shy of the man in the lead Tom Sykes, whilst other works Aprilia rider Melandri lies fourth in the standings with a 26 point gap. The Italian rider is followed closely by Pata Honda’s Jonathan Rea (27) and Voltcom Crescent Suzuki’s Eugene Laverty (29).

Rea approaches the team’s home round with renewed confidence after the solid results achieved so far aboard his CBR1000RR Fireblade SP. The Ulsterman is the current WSBK active rider with the most wins at Assen – four, including a double taken in 2010.

Laverty climbed on the top step of the podium at Assen for the first time last year, as he got the better of race 1 winner Sykes after a masterful display of riding and determination. He and his team mate Alex Lowes are hoping to make the most of a more suitable track for their GSX-R machines, likewise Ducati Superbike Team duo Davide Giugliano and Chaz Davies, who did not fulfil their own expectations last time out at Aragon.

MV Agusta RC – Yakhnich Motorsport and Team Hero EBR continue their learning curve within the eni FIM Superbike World Championship, aiming to narrow the gap to the other manufacturers during the third round of the season

Leon Camier will again replace injured Sylvain Barrier for the BMW Motorrad Italia Superbike Team. The Brit crossed the line in the first race at MotorLand Aragon as the best placed EVO rider (12th overall) and finished behind David Salom (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Niccolò Canepa (Althea Racing Ducati) in race 2.

Following a positive debut in Spain, Bimota Alstare pairing of Ayrton Badovini and Christian Iddon will get in the mix again to challenge the rest the EVO field.

Standings (Round 2 of 13): 1. Sykes 75; 2. Baz 71; 3. Guintoli 64; 4. Melandri 49; 5. Rea 48; 6. Laverty 46; 7. Giugliano 43; 8. Davies 30; 9. Haslam 25; 10. Elias 23; 11. Salom 22; 12. Canepa 16; 13. Lowes 9; 14. Foret 9; 15. Camier 8; 16. Morais 7; 17. Allerton 6; 18. Guarnoni 4; 19. Corti 3; 20. Scassa 2. Manufacturers: 1. Kawasaki 81; 2. Aprilia 71; 3. Suzuki 49; 4. Honda 48; 5. Ducati 48; 6. BMW 14; 7. MV Agusta 3.

Statistics by Michele Merlino – Round 3, Assen – eni FIM Superbike World Championship 

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• In the last two seasons, Tom Sykes obtained excellent results in Assen: he scored two poles, winning race one last year, recording the fastest race lap and leading all the way. In race two his leadership ended on the nineteenth lap, when Laverty passed him and went on to win. Two years ago Tom broke a radiator in race one while leading, and was only sixth in race two, suffering with setup problems. Tom counts two more top-10 finishes here, in ’09 with Yamaha, when he was fourth and sixth.
• Loris Baz was fifth and third last year: in race two he climbed on the lower step of the podium after a fierce fight with Rea and Guintoli. Three Superstock 1000 races for him in Assen: he was sixth both in ’09 and in ’12. He was fifth in the ’08 Superstock 600 race.
• Sylvain Guintoli was able to finish on the podium three of his last four races here: winner in ’12 race one (maiden career win) and second in race two; third last year in race one, he finished sixth in race two after fighting for a podium spot in the early stages. In all his four race weekends here he was never able to outqualify a team-mate, scoring as best grid result a fourth, both last year and two years ago.
• This is one of the two tracks in the current calendar where Marco Melandri never climbed on the podium in his 80 Superbike races (the other one is Imola). His best result is a fourth, scored both with Yamaha in race one in ’11 and with BMW two years ago in race two. He enjoyed little luck last year, when he broke his chain before the start of race one and had a sensor problem in race two, which forced him to slow down for a couple of laps, resulting in a lowly eighth final spot. Marco raced seven times in the MotoGP class in Assen, scoring two podiums in ’04 and ’05. In ’02 he won from pole the 250cc. race before Toni Elias and Roberto Rolfo.
• Jonathan Rea is the third most successful rider in Superbike history in this track with four wins (a double in ’10, race one in ’11 and race two in ’12): he trails Carl Fogarty, which won twelve times here and Troy Bayliss (6). Jonathan climbed on the podium in each race weekend he entered here since ’10, missing out only in ’09, when he was seventh and fifth. His six podium placements are paired with three front row starts: pole in ’10 and second in grid in the last two editions, in both cases behind Tom Sykes. Excluding a fall in race one two years ago, Jonathan always finished his races here in the top-7.
• Two podiums out of six races here for Eugene Laverty: third in race 2 two years ago, he won last year in race one after following Sykes for nineteen laps. Laverty always finished in the top-7 in all his Superbike races here. His best grid result in Assen is a third, scored last year and in ’11: in his three Superbike years he always outqualified his team-mate here. He won twice in the Supersport championship in Assen: in ’09 before Cal Crutchlow and Joan Lascorz and in ’10 before the same Lascorz and Kenan Sofuoglu.
• Davide Giugliano scored his maiden Superbike podium here two years ago in race one, finishing second behind Sylvain Guintoli. Last year he was in the leading group with Rea, Laverty and Guintoli in race one, but then he suffered from tyre wear and finished sixth. Race two was even worse: he fell in the first turn while running third and his bike caught fire. In ’11 he won the Superstock 1000 race from Danilo Petrucci and, in the same championship, he was third in ’10 behind Ayrton Badovini and Maxime Berger.
• Chaz Davies enjoyed little luck in Assen: two falls two years ago, while last year a fall in the warm-up resulted in a broken chassis. He started from the bottom of the grid in race one, ending up seventh, while in race two he was fifth, passing Guintoli on the final lap. In ’11 he won here the Supersport race from Fabien Foret and Broc Parkes. In the same championship, he was fourth in ’10.
• Three podium spots out of twelve races here for Leon Haslam: third and second in ’09 and second in ’10 in race two. Since then he racked up two fifths here (’11 and ’12, always in race two), but he had his share of bad luck: he fell while leading the first race in ’12 and last year he broke his leg in practice and had to withdraw. These are the only cases where Leon didn’t score points here.
• In his three Moto2 races here, Toni Elias was second in ’10 behind Andrea Iannone, ninth two years ago, while last year he fell during the formation lap. Not much luck for him in the MotoGP championship: in his first two races here, in ’06 and ’07, he was forced to withdraw from the weekend for two falls in practice; he was then eleventh in ’11. Two podiums for him in the 250 cc championship: second in ’02 behind Marco Melandri and third ten years ago behind Sebastian Porto and Daniel Pedrosa. Toni won the 125 cc race held here in ’01 from Arnaud Vincent and Steve Jenkner,
• David Salom scored here his first double points finish in Superbike in ’12, when he was thirteenth and twelfth. Four Supersport races for him in Assen from ’07 to ’11, finishing fifth in the two aforementioned years.
• The only Superbike weekend for Niccolò Canepa in Assen ended in tears: in ’12 he was eighth in race one (at the time his best career result), but fell in race two breaking his leg and damaging his right ankle. Last year he came back in the Superstock 1000 championship, qualifying in second and finishing third behind Eddi Lamarra and Sylvain Barrier, in a close finish, as they were separated at the line by only 0.106 seconds. In ’06 Canepa scored the hat-trick in Superstock 600 in Assen, posting pole, win and fastest lap. He won from Xavier Simeon and Davide Giugliano, passing the Belgian rider only on the last lap. Niccolò raced here also in MotoGP in ’09 (14th) and Moto2 in ’10 (24th).
• Alex Lowes scored excellent results in the British Suprebike championship in Assen: he was on pole two years ago, finishing third in both races; last year he was again on pole, winning both races, but in the second one he was disqualified for a clash with Shane Byrne on the fourth lap; fourteen Supersport races for Fabien Foret in Assen: the French won here in ’02 and ’05, scoring three more podiums, the last one last year, when he was third behind Sam Lowes and Kenan Sofuoglu.
• Leon Camier was able to climb on the podium in his first Superbike race run here in ’10, when he was third in race one, his maiden career podium. In ’11 he was fourth in race two, posting his maiden race fastest lap, while in the last two editions he wasn’t particularly lucky: in ’12 in race one he highsided during the formation lap (was 14th in race two), while last year he entered the weekend after suffering from surgery in his knee. He was nevertheless able to finish ninth and seventh, starting from a lowly nineteenth grid spot.
• Sheridan Morais was fifteenth two years ago in The Supersport race, while last year a fall in practice resulted in a shoulder injury, which forced him to abandon the weekend. In the Superstock 1000 championship he was able to finish eleventh in two of the three races run here, in ’06 and ’11; in the last three years, Jeremy Guarnoni’s results in the Superstock 1000 races run in Assen kept on improving: he was 12th in ’11, 7th in ’12 and fifth last year. Two podiums for him in the Superstock 600 championship: third in ’09 behind Gino Rea and Joey Litjens and second in ’10, beaten at the line by his countryman Florian Marino for only 0.154 seconds.
• Good results for Claudio Corti in the Superstock 1000 championship at Assen: he won from the second grid spot in ’06 and was second from pole in ’07 behind Michele Pirro. He was on pole also in ’08, but fell at the chicane as he was leading, while being chased by Pirro and Maxime Berger. Claudio dominated the ’05 Superstock 600 race, starting from pole and leading all the way. He was eighteenth in last year’s MotoGP race, while he was able to score points in the second of the three Moto2 races he contested here from ’10 to ’12: fifteenth in ’11.
• Luca Scassa scored points in three of the four Superbike races he contested in Assen: his best result is an eleventh in race two in ’10. Last year he raced here in Supersport, retiring while running fifth, while two years ago he was fourth in the first of the two races of the British Superbike championship.
• Alessandro Andreozzi last year was fourteenth in grid and in the race in the Superstock 1000 class.
• In his eight Superbike races at Assen, Ayrton Badovini was able to finish in the top-10 twice: seventh in ’12 race two and ninth in ’11 race one. He missed out a big opportunity here two years ago, when he fell while running second. He won the ’10 Superstock 1000 race before Maxime Berger and Davide Giugliano. He started from pole also the ’06 Superstock 1000 race, but fell on the opening lap.
• The best result for Imre Toth in three Supersport races run here from ’10 to ’12 was an eleventh in ’11. The Hungarian raced here also in the 250 cc championship from ’07 to ’09, finishing fifteenth in ’09. His best world-class result in Assen is a tenth in the 125 cc race held here ten years ago.
• Michel Fabrizio managed to finish on the podium only in one of the sixteenth races run here: the first one, in ’06 race one, when he was third form the 14th grid spot behind Chris Walker and Andrew Pitt. Michel missed on a points finish here only in ’08, when he fell in race one and retired in race two for pain in his arm. Last year he was twelfth and ninth, struggling with setup problems.
•  Peter Sebestyen was fifth in grid and fourth in the European Junior Cup race of last year.

MANUFACTURERS

• Aprilia last year scored his first Superbike win in this track, with Eugene Laverty in race two. The Italian manufacturer adds seven more podium finishes here, always scored in different races from ’01 onwards: so far they haven’t been able to put two bikes on the podium here. In the last four years Aprilia didn’t climb on the podium here only in ’10 race two and in ’12 race one, when their best result was a fourth. Aprilia never started from pole here: their best grid spot is a third, scored by Eugene Laverty last year.
• BMW never climbed on the podium here: their best result is a fourth, scored by Marco Melandri in ’12, race two.
• Ducati won 25 times and climbed on the podium 66 times in Assen. Last year however they didn’t finish on the podium: the best-placed Ducati rider was Carlos Checa, tenth in both races. Last year, for the first time in history, there wasn’t a Ducati on the front row in Assen.
• 14 wins for Honda in Assen: the last four thanks to Jonathan Rea, from ’10 onwards, the last one two years ago in race two. Excluding Rea, the last Honda rider to climb on the podium here was Leon Haslam, second in race two in ’09.
• Two wins for Kawasaki in Assen: in ’06 in race one with Chris Walker and last year, always in race one, with Tom Sykes. Last year Kawasaki was able to put two bikes on the podium with Sykes in second and Baz in third.
• Suzuki never won in Assen: four podium placements, the last one in ’10 in race two with Leon Haslam

World Supersport

The Assen TT Circuit has witnessed many spectacular battles for the win in the Supersport World Championship, the last of which happened in 2013, when reigning Champion Sam Lowes edged out Kenan Sofuoglu (Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki) at the finish line for only 38 thousandths of a second.

After the DNF in the opening race at Phillip Island, three time WSS Champion was back on top of the podium at Aragon. Sofuoglu found himself in the lead after the collision occurred to Kev Coghlan (DMC-Panavto Yamaha) and Jules Cluzel (MV Agusta RC – Yakhnich Motorsport), eventually crossing the line the race winner ahead of Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Supersport) and Florian Marino (Intermoto Ponyexpres Kawasaki).

Local rider van der Mark is looking forward to a strong performance in front of his home crowd, hoping as well to achieve his first race win in the Supersport World Championship.

Coghlan, who was able to claim a fifth place in Spain despite the unfortunate crash, currently heads a tight title race that sees Marino just two points behind in second, whilst Raffaele De Rosa (CIA Insurance Honda), Sofuoglu and Cluzel are six points shy of the leader.

Standings (Round 2 of 12): 1. Coghlan 31; 2. Marino 29; 3. De Rosa 26; 4. Sofuoglu 25; 5. Cluzel 25; 6. Vd Mark 20; 7. Tamburini 20; 8. Zanetti 13; 9. Gamarino 13; 10. Wahr 10; 11. Gowland 9; 12. Rolfo 9; 13. Leonov 8; 14. Russo 8; 15. Menghi 8; etc. Manufacturers: 1. Kawasaki 38; 2. Honda 36; 3. MV Agusta 33; 4. Yamaha 31; 5. Triumph 9.

Superstock 1000

The FIM Superstock 1000 Cup riders are heading to the Assen TT Circuit for the second round of the season. Barni Racing Team’s Leandro Mercado dominated the first racing weekend of 2014 at MotorLand Aragon by achieving both pole position and race win, as well as recording the fastest lap of the race.

The Argentinean rider hopes for a repeat performance on the Dutch track, on which he was fourth last year, given also that in 2013 two of the three podium positions were taken by Barni Racing riders, with La Marra winner and Canepa third placed.

Mercado’s team mate Ondrej Jezek is keen on turning the page on an unlucky opening race and likewise EAB Racing Team’s Fabio Massei he hopes to show his abilities on the full race distance. Second place at Aragon Lorenzo Savadori (Team Pedercini Kawasaki) is aiming to give Mercado a harder time at Assen, whilst Kyle Smith (Agro-on Wil Racedays Honda) would love nothing more than another podium finish after his positive STK1000 debut race in Spain.

Standings (Round 1 of 7): 1. Mercado 25; 2. Savadori 20; 3. Smith 16; 4. Bergman 13; 5. D’Annunzio 11; 6. Lussiana 10; 7. Grotzkyj G. 9; 8. McFadden 8; 9. Valk 7; 10. Lanusse 6; 11. Day 5; 12. Castellarin 4; 13. Pagaud 3; 14. Suchet 2; 15. Schacht 1. Manufacturers: 1. Ducati 25; 2. Kawasaki 20; 3. Honda 16; 4. BMW 11.

Superstock 600

Marco Faccani and Andrea Tucci started off well their rookie campaign in the FIM Europe Superstock 600 Championship by scoring a sensational one-two in the opening race of the season at MotorLand Aragon.

The San Carlo Team Italia duo, representing the Italian Motorcycling Federation in the series, are looking strong for the second event of the season at Assen, home round for Aragon’s third place finisher Wayne Tessels (Wayne Racing Team Suzuki).

The 20 year old Dutchman, who is currently contesting his second year in the series, fiercely challenged Tucci for the second place in Spain. Finland’s Niki Tuuli (Kallio Racing Yamaha) was also in contention for the top 3 and part of the spectacular eight way battle at the front that characterised the early stages of the race.

Standings (Round 1 of 7): 1. Faccani 25; 2. Tucci 20; 3. Tessels 16; 4. Tuuli 13; 5. Mikhalchik 11; 6. Salvadori 10; 7. Casalotti 9; 8. Duwelz 8; 9. Manfredi 7; 10. Nestorovic 6; 11. Lewis 5; 12. Marchal 4; 13. Canducci 3; 14. Zeelen 2; 15. Lahti 1.

European Junior Cup

Spaniard Marc Miralles (Honda Spain) leads the points situation in the Pata European Junior Cup, powered by Honda following the race win scored at Aragon over compatriots Javier Orellana (Europe Food SL) and Mika Perez (Cuna de Campeones). The EJC riders are preparing for another thrilling battle at the TT Circuit Assen, with Dutch full timer Max Van Schoonhoven (vanSchoonhovenracing) hoping to shine in front of his home crowd. The Netherlands will also be represented by wildcard riders Ricardo Brink (RT Racing Support) and Jamie Van Sikkelerus (Vakgarage Akersloot).

Standings (Round 1 of 8): 1. Miralles 25; 2. Orellana 20; 3. Perez 16; 4. Fernandez 13; 5. Fernandez 11; 6. Licciardi 10; 7. Soomer 9; 8. Grassia 8; 9. Hubner 7; 10. Harland 6; 11. London 5; 12. Geissler 4; 13. Wisdom 3; 14. Patterson 2; 15. Zhu 1.

HRC Preview

Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) will be looking for more podium success at the third round of the FIM Superbike World Championship after his top three finish in race one at the previous round in Spain. For Rea and his team-mate Leon Haslam (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) Assen is a round of special significance as Dutch company Ten Kate is in charge of their racing operations and its headquarters are situated not far from the famous TT Circuit.

The 4.542km long Assen circuit is also an integral part of Rea’s WSBK racing DNA, as the Isle of Man-based Northern Irishman has taken four of 11 career wins there, the most recent in 2012. Jonathan has enjoyed six podium finishes in all at the historic Circuit van Drenthe and also secured one of his three Superpole qualifying successes there.

Jonathan arrives in Assen in good shape having scored a podium this year already, in race one at Motorland Aragon only just over a week ago. After two rounds and four points scoring races Rea is fifth overall in the championship standings with 48 points, just 16 off a top three slot.

A no score at the very first race of the year was a tough start for Leon Haslam but consistent points scores from then on have placed Leon ninth in the rankings as Assen approaches. So far Leon’s season best is sixth in race two at Phillip Island on the opening weekend and his immediate aim is to improve on this mark, ideally with a top three finish. Haslam has scored podium finishes three times at Assen but a lower left leg injury effectively spoiled his 2013 season after a nasty fall at the Dutch track last year.

There will be a wildcard Honda rider competing in the Superbike EVO class at Assen as Kervin Bos (Winteb LiquidRubber Racing Team Honda) joins the 27-strong field of WSBK regulars on his CBR1000RR this coming weekend.

Assen is a unique circuit with a special place in the hearts of both fans and riders. In its previous 6.027km layout the circuit was nick-named the ‘Cathedral’ by all, given the reverence in which it was held by the motorcycle racing world in general, above all by riders contesting the world championship races at the circuit, it has always been a real test of riders’ skill and nerve. Laden with heavily cambered and multiple fast corners, even after the loss of the long North Loop section, Assen offers some one-off challenges and opportunities to all riders in all classes.

The Assen circuit has been used for 44 individual WSBK races, with the first round held there in 1992 before becoming a fixture on the calendar every year since then. Honda riders have scored 14 race wins at Assen over the years.

After the Dutch round the championship heads to southern Europe again for the fourth round of the series, at the city-centre venue of Imola, with raceday on Sunday 11th May. There will be a one-day official test immediately after that event as private in-season testing has been banned for the 2014 season.

The third round of the FIM Supersport World Championship will be a home round for Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Supersport Team) as he goes for his first career race win in this intensely competitive class of racing.

With both Michael and his team-mate Lorenzo Zanetti (Pata Honda World Supersport Team) racing at their Ten Kate team’s home venue this weekend there can be no better place for either rider to lift their performances to new heights early in the 12-round WSS season.

Van Der Mark was second last time out in Spain, equalling his career best race finish as he moved up to sixth in the overall championship standings. Zanetti is now eighth overall after his fourth in the previous round at Motorland Aragon, while still recovering from a painful finger injury. Fully fit he will be a force to contend with in only his second full WSS season.

Raffaele De Rosa (CIA Insurance Honda) is the highest placed Honda rider in the championship so far, third overall after a third place in Australia and sixth in Motorland Aragon. Not even a full-time rider at the start of the first round, his performances have given him his deserved full season chance as part of the strong PTR Honda squad, run from the UK.

The cosmopolitan Honda entry in the 2014 WSS class sees the Italian Lorini team field two home grown riders in Riccardo Russo (currently 14th after a no score in Motorland) and Marco Bussolotti, who just missed points at the previous race in Spain.

Ratthapark Wilairot (Core PTR Honda) from Thailand has now taken his first WSS top ten as he learns the possibilities and limitations of racing in a production-derived class at world championship level. He is 16th overall, with 2013 season find Jack Kennedy (CIA Insurance Honda) recovering from a nasty ankle break at the first round in Phillip Island, just one place behind in 17th place.

Young Spanish rider Nacho Calero (CIA Insurance Honda) scored points in Phillip Island and wants more this weekend to get higher in the rankings than his current top-20 position. British rider Fraser Rogers (Com Plus SMS Racing) has already posted 15th at the opening round in his first full WSS year.

The FIM Supersport World Championship class will join the WSBK and Superstock riders at the next round in Imola, to be held between 9th and 11th May.

Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) – “I’m really looking forward to riding at Assen this weekend because it’s a circuit that I really enjoy. There are lots of passing places and there’s usually a fast group at the front, which I hope to be a part of. I’ve spent quite a bit of time there with my team over the years, and done quite a few laps developing the bike, so I hope we can get it dialled in quite quickly this weekend. Of course, a lot of that will depend on the weather because, although we’re at the end of April, it can still be unpredictable, so we’ll have to work on both wet and dry settings so we can aim for two good results. We’ve had a solid start to the season, with top five finishes and a podium at Aragon, so we’ll try to carry that momentum into the Assen weekend. There’s always a fantastic atmosphere there as it’s the team’s home race and we had another amazing Pitstop Day at the workshop last Saturday with a record crowd. It’s a perfect way to set up for the weekend.”

Leon Haslam (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) – “I have had a few good days in the Netherlands and we have been at the annual Ten Kate Pitstop Day recently. At the previous round in Aragon we had everything working well but after my crash in Superpole we had a few issues on raceday because of that. As Johnny proved the bike did work well enough to get a top three in the race so it was more than capable in a race situation. I am happy that the bike has definitely moved forward after the testing we did in Cartagena and Jerez. We still have a few issues to look at and overcome but for me we are now moving into the proper part of the season. At Assen, Imola and Donington the bike is definitely capable of running at the front. I feel I am getting back to how I should be after injury last year and with Assen being the home round for the team I just want to get my season kicked off properly. I have had podiums at Assen and scored two podiums on a private Honda there in 2009. Almost every time I have finished a race at Assen I have been battling for a podium. It is a good track that I definitely enjoy. We just need to get some dry weather, hopefully.” 

Team Althea Racing

The third official World Superbike Championship races will be held at the Dutch TT-Assen circuit in The Netherlands, from April 25-27, 2014. The legendary Circuit van Drenthe is a motorsport race track built in 1955 and is considered “the Cathedral” of motorcycling by the fans. It has a capacity of 100,000 spectators, including 60,000 seats. The current track has a length of 4,542 metres and the longest straight is 560 meters.

The first two rounds of the Superbike World championship have proved very positive for the Althea Racing team. The team’s rider, Niccolò Canepa, who has dominated in qualifying while suffering a few problems in the races, lies in second position in the Evo standings, just six points from leader Salom. A good result, considering that Aragon is certainly not a favourable track for the Ducati 1199 Panigale. Team Althea Racing is ready for the third round at Assen and aims to confirm its position at the head of its category.

Niccolò Canepa: “We’re finally racing at a track that is better suited to our bike. I really like the Assen track and have great memories of the place, having made my debut in an international race there in 2005. I’m very motivated because we went really well at Motorland Aragon and were able to find that constancy that was missing in Australia. The unknown will be, as ever, the weather. The Ducati generally goes well in wet conditions, although I haven’t yet had chance to test my Panigale Evo in the rain.”

Suzuki Preview

Voltcom Crescent Suzuki returns to the iconic Assen TT Circuit in The Netherlands this weekend for the third round of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship hoping to strengthen its current third place in the Manufacturer Standings.

Eugene Laverty wants to capitalise on the progress made so far with the Voltcom Crescent Suzuki GSX-R1000 after his gripping comeback performance at Motorland Aragon in Spain; clinching fifth and sixth places after early-lap incidents relegated him to the mid-pack in both races. Laverty has a strong history at the Dutch track, with a front-row start and race-two win on his last visit, plus a podium-spot the year before; and the Irishman is confident he can run at the front astride his Yoshimura-powered Suzuki.

Alex Lowes has equally-strong memories of ‘The Cathedral’ having taken both pole position and a dramatic race-one victory here last year on his way to clinching the British Superbike Championship. Lowes is looking forward to strengthening his rookie campaign as part of the British-based World Superbike team with his first visit to a circuit he knows well; and continuing his education aboard the Suzuki GSX-R1000.

With historical links dating back to the first Dutch Tourist Trophy in 1925, the remodelled and renamed Assen TT Circuit has been a favourite on the World Superbike calendar since 1992. Located just outside the Drenthe province’s capital city, to the north east of The Netherlands, Assen’s iconic track was further redesigned in 2006. Now measuring 4,542m, the famously fast and flowing circuit has 17 high-speed and heavily-cambered corners – six left-hand and 11 rights – providing some of the most-exciting racing at world-class level and attracting a strong and passionate crowd year-on-year.

Voltcom Crescent Suzuki will take to the track on Friday morning for the first of three timed-for-qualifying free practice sessions ahead of Saturday afternoon’s Superpole shoot-out. Sunday’s two races will run at 10:30hrs local time (09:30 BST) and 13:10hrs local time (12:10 BST).

Eugene Laverty:  “I knew that Aragon was going to be a difficult circuit for us but I’m confident that the next three circuits will suit the Voltcom Crescent Suzuki GSX-R better. Assen is a fantastic track and very enjoyable to ride. My aim is to climb back onto that rostrum again as soon as possible and I feel optimistic ahead of Assen. We’re working hard to improve our package and we certainly gained more knowledge about the GSX-R at the previous round. If there’s one positive to be taken from a difficult weekend then it’s the vital lessons learned.”

Alex Lowes:  “I’m really looking forward to Assen this weekend. It’s the first track on the World Superbike calendar that I have raced at previously so it will give me a great opportunity to get to grips with the Suzuki GSX-R at a circuit I know well. I’ve been training hard as usual and I’m feeling good, so I’m raring to go for the third round.”

Aprilia Racing Preview

The World Championship for factory derivative bikes will take on the TT Circuit at Assen this weekend, an historic track that hosts the third round of WSBK 2014. The setting of epic battles as well as a Mecca for thousands of fans who flock to the track throughout the weekend, the University of motorcycling has always provided a great show with races that have often come down to the wire under the chequered flag. There is also another unknown factor, the weather, which seems destined to play a key role again this year.

For the Aprilia Racing riders the third round of the season represents an important crossroads. After the excellent start in Australia with a win and two podiums, Aragon was the scene of some ups and downs which had some positive aspects in the second race where Melandri battled for victory down to the last turn: Assen will therefore be fundamental in confirming the competitiveness of Melandri and Guintoli.

At Aragon Marco Melandri, in his first year astride the RSV4, showed that he has the grit and tenacity he needs to ride to the top step of the podium. On a technical and flowing track like the Dutch one the Italian rider’s experience could well make the difference.

Marco Melandri: “Assen is a unique track and coming here after a round like Aragon really motivates me and makes me want to get even better. I hope the weather isn’t too unpredictable and I hope to qualify well because overtaking at Assen is not a simple matter. In any case my Aprilia RSV4 will be up to the task and I can’t wait to get back on the track”.

For Sylvain Guintoli Assen is a special track where he took his first championship podium (in the 250 class with Aprilia) in 2003. After his placings in Aragon, which keep him on the respectable end of the standings but which did not satisfy the French rider, a podium finish will be Sylvain’s minimum objective at Assen.

Sylvain Guintoli: “We had a tough time in Aragon but it’s in those moments that you fight and learn to get better. The next track is a special place for me. I had my first world stage podium in 250 with Aprilia back in 2003 and my first WSBK victory two years ago. I’m looking forward to racing in Assen, a great track that produces great racing”.

Pirelli Preview 

After the excellent performance shown during the last round of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship, the solutions developed specifically for the Superbike and the EVO classes have been confirmed by Pirelli also for the third round that will take place next weekend at Assen.

The Italian tyre manufacturer, although satisfied with the excellent results obtained at Aragón wants to acquire more information on the two new solutions, each dedicated to one of the two classes, to assess their performance under different conditions of temperature and asphalt.

TT Circuit Assen from tyre point of view: a fast and technical circuit – The TT Circuit Assen is considered one of the most difficult tracks of the championship and is nicknamed ‘The Cathedral of Speed’ due to the high average speed riders can reach. The circuit was built in 1925 and now measures 4,542 metres with 11 right-handers and 6 left turns.

Although not particularly stressed from a thermal point of view, track tyres must still be able to provide to the rider great precision and a lot of directional stability. In April, it is easy to meet varying weather conditions and cooler temperatures and this is another factor to take into consideration.

The Assen allure lies in this series of long and constant speed turns, slow U-shaped turns with braking and sudden acceleration, quick chicanes and long turns with strong acceleration coming out of them, with the bike still leaned over.

Made up of a very high bituminous percentage, the asphalt at Assen represents a strong correlation between how aggressive the track is and the air temperature. This means that with low temperatures the rear solutions can suffer from problems with tearing (by now well known as cold tearing), particularly in the event of soft solutions (and therefore less resistant) and when the track is poorly rubberised, typically during the Friday sessions.

The Pirelli solutions for Superbike and Supersport classes: Pirelli comes to the third round of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship carrying a total of 4619 tyres that meet the needs of all classes. Of these tyres 2036 are dedicated to Superbike riders, 1326 for Supersport, 464 are those for the Superstock 1000, 585 for Superstock 600 and 208 for the European Junior Cup.

In Superbike each rider for the entire race weekend can count on a supply of 76 DIABLO™ Superbike tyres including 35 front and 41 rear. All available options are already known to the riders because they were already available at Aragón round. The goal of Pirelli is now to see them in action on another circuit in order to explore further their versatility.

At the front three alternatives: the standard SC1 and SC2 and the development SC1 S1699, which debuted successfully at Aragón where it was chosen by about 80% of the riders lined up on the grid because it offers greater support for the approach to the turns in favour of a better steering precision.

Four options in total at the rear, two in common to all riders and a third one which is different for Superbike riders and for those of the EVO class. The two solutions available for all riders are the standard SC0 solution ideal for soft and smooth asphalt as well as high temperatures and used in Race 2 in Spain. Also the standard SC1, in medium-hard compound, which is positioned midway between the soft solution and the hard, has been used by a lot of riders in Superbike Race 1 at Aragón when temperatures were lower.

The third and last solution for the Superbike riders will be the development SC1 S1185 which debuted at Aragón as an alternative to the standard SC1 in comparison to which ensures an even more linear wear and a better performance, and that has been used by almost all the riders in Race 1.

In the EVO category the riders can once again count on the valid development SC0 R1120, able to offer a greater resistance to consumption and which has been very popular in the last round in the Iberian peninsula.

In addition, the 20 riders who will enter the Superpole on Saturday as always will have one qualifier tyre in very soft compound that allows 1-2 laps at maximum performance.

In Supersport, DIABLO™ Supercorsa SC tyres in the allocation of each rider will be 51 divided in 23 front and 28 rear.

As in the first two rounds the standard SC1 and SC2 will be the options for the front. At the rear in addition to the standard SC1 riders will find the S0624 specification, an alternative to the standard SC1 which as been already seen in action at Aragón, and the development SC2 R1288 in hard compound and more protected in comparison to the SC1 in case of low temperatures.

In addition to slick tyres, DIABLO™ Wet intermediate tyres and DIABLO™ Rain tyres for wet are provided for all classes. 

Giorgio Barbier’s memory: the year was…2001  – “Assen is perhaps one of the few circuits specifically designed for two-wheelers but over the years it has undergone several changes ,” says Giorgio Barbier, Pirelli Moto Racing Director “2001 was the last year in which the races were held with the original and a little more than six kilometres long layout which make this circuit known as The Cathedral of Speed. Till that time Assen has always been a circuit where to win you really needed great courage because the track was still without curbs and with water channels not so far from the escape routes. The most beautiful overtakes you could see only in the fast parts but it was necessary for very great precision to avoid the risk of ending up out of the track. The latest important change was made in 2006 and saw the elimination of the entire first part of the circuit, very fast especially for a modern layout, which has reduced almost 1,500 metres the length of the track. Probably now the circuit has lost some of the charm that had initially but has, without doubt, become much safer.”

The 2013 Pirelli statistics for TT Circuit Assen:

• • Total number of tyres Pirelli brought: 4848
• • Number of solutions (dry, intermediate and wet) for the Superbike class: 5 front and 7 rear
• • Number of solutions for the Supersport class (dry, intermediate and wet): 4 front and 5 rear
• • Number of tyres available for each Superbike rider: 34 front and 40 rear
• • Number of tyres available for each Supersport rider: 25 front and 29 rear
• • Superbike Best Lap Awards won by: Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team), 1’35.893 (Race 1, 2nd lap) and Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team), 1’36.085 (Race 2, 2nd lap)
• • Supersport Best Lap Awards won by: Fabien Foret (MAHI Racing Team India): 1’38.768 (7th lap)
• • Temperature in Race 1: air 12° C, asphalt 15° C
• • Temperature in Race 2: air 15° C, asphalt 23° C
• • Maximum race speed reached by Pirelli DIABLO™ Superbike tyres: 293.3 km/h, Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team) in Race 1 at 21th lap
• • Maximum race speed reached by Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SC tyres in Supersport race: 258.8 km/h, Michael Vd Mark (Pata Honda World Supersport) at 3rd lap.