From a press release issued by Ten Kate Honda:

Vermeulen Third Quickest After Fraught First Qualifying

Day one of the Ten Kate Team’s home event at Assen proved an eventful one for all concerned, and an ultimately rewarding one for Chris Vermeulen (Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) who set the third best time, despite overcoming challenges on many fronts.

Pierfrancesco Chili (Ducati) secured provisional pole, with a 2:04.028 lap, heading up another private Ducati rider Gianluca Nannelli and the hard charging Vermeulen, who set a time of 2:04.859 on race tyres.

A front row provisional starting position is a just reward for a day of hard work for all the team, as Vermeulen explained. “We had some different front forks to try and I had problems with brakes in one bike, so we’ve been all over the place in the last two sessions. I was also testing a few different tyres, harder ones hoping they might work and at the end we used what we had already predicted to be our race tyres. I just stuck it in and it was better. I’m still a little bit lost right now but the bike is still going well.”

Team Manager Ronald Ten Kate put day one in perspective. “I’m pretty happy with that considering that we didn’t use any of our qualifying tyres yet. I can’t speak for the other guys at the front but certainly some looked like they used very softy tyres. We also had a lot of problems, troubles to sort out throughout the session and a lot of different things did not go as expected. So, at the end of the day, I’m pretty happy that we are up there and I’m sure we can do even better tomorrow. Looking at the times we have done in testing there is something more to come.”

Final qualifying and Superpole, which will determine the final grid position for the races, take place on Saturday 4th September.

World Superbike Championship
Round 9 Assen – The Netherlands
3 – 5 September 2004
first qualification
1. P. Chili, ITA, Ducati 998RS, 2’04.028
2. G. Nannelli, ITA, Ducati 998 RS, 2’04.314
3. C. Vermeulen, Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR, 2’04.859
4. G. Bussei, ITA, Ducati 998RS, 2’05.086
5. J. Toseland, GBR, Ducati 999 F04, 2’05.096
6. I. Clementi, ITA, Kawasaki ZX10, 2’05.382
7. L. Haslam GBR, Ducati 999 RS, 2’05.410
8. R. Laconi, FRA, Ducati 999 F04, 2’05.459
9. S. Martin, AUS, Ducati 999 RS, 2’05.552
10. T. Corser, AUS, Petronas FP1, 2’05.742



Muggeridge and Parkes Go 1-2 On The Opening Day At Assen

Karl Muggeridge (Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) and Broc Parkes (Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) topped the first day’s qualifying sheets at their team’s home circuit of Assen, with Muggeridge over one second faster than even his pursuing team-mate. The championship leader’s time of 2:06.279 came after a successful 45-minute session for both riders, watched by the enthusiastic Dutch crowd in the impressive Assen grandstands. In a new initiative unveiled at this event, a posse of team guests also viewed the action in the pit garage itself, from a gantry built specially for the occasion behind and above the working area.

Parkes, second quickest overall, set a best lap of 2:07.437, 1.188 seconds from Muggeridge and just ahead of another Honda rider, Sebastien Charpentier. Completing the provisional front row was Muggeridge’s main title challenger, Jurgen van den Goorbergh, some 1.3 seconds adrift.

Cool and collected after his hot first lap, Muggeridge stated, “The bike’s been working well and we concentrated on the chassis as much as we could. In the end we made little steps in a good direction. I don’t know why we’ve got such a big gap on the first day be we were just making all the right decisions throughout. The new front forks are a real improvement but we have to get the settings just right. Set-up is never ending and we just chip away at things all the time.”

Parkes, second quickest, knows he can improve his time if the predicted dry spell at Assen continues. “I always seem to get stuck on my fast laps, and that made me a bit frustrated. Karl’s really fast, right on the money from the start. I think I was trying to get up to speed a little but too quickly, trying to put in a single fast lap time. Second quickest is OK, but I think there is more to come, if I can make the bike a little bit nicer get a little bit more grip and a clean lap in tomorrow.”

Team Manager Ronald Ten Kate was enthused by the first day’s positive results. “A lot of Karl’s best lap time was due to the front forks, which we tried for the first time at Brands. There, we didn’t get a perfect setting for them but here at our home track it is very much easier to find. We have the front working really well and the boys are making a great job on the bikes. I think that the little crowd we have in pitlane, in our little arena above the pit garage, gives a little bit extra. All in all, a dream start to the weekend. For Karl we can now begin working on race set-up almost exclusively because I really can’t see him off the front row, even with just his Friday time.”

First Qualifying
1. K. Muggeridge, AUS, Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR, 2’06.249
2. B. Parkes, AUS, Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR, 2’07.437
3. S. Charpentier, FRA, Honda CBR600RR, 2’07.521
4. J. Vd Goorbergh, Yamaha YZF R6, 2’07.597
5. K. Curtain, AUS, Yamha YZF R6, 2’07.664
6. A. Corradi, ITA, Honda CBR600RR, 2’08.358
7. W. Daemen, BEL, Honda CBR600RR, 2’08.481
8. K. Andersen, NOR, Kawasaki ZX6 RR, 2’08.507
9. A. Pitt, AUS, Yamaha YZF R6, 2’08.522
10. B. Veneman, NED, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2’08.523


More, from a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

FPR riders set up for Assen qualifying challenge

Foggy PETRONAS Racing riders Troy Corser and Chris Walker spent the first day of qualifying for the ninth round of the Superbike World Championship focusing on setting up the FP1 for the fast-flowing corners of Assen in the Netherlands.

Championship hopeful Frankie Chili set a blistering pace of 2:04.028, with Troy and Chris posting times of 2:05.742 and 2:06.665 respectively.

It was a day of adjustment for both riders as they continued to familiarise themselves with changes of characteristics and increased gearing options from the latest specification of FP1 engine.

Troy said: “I changed a few things from this morning, including the gearing and the front fork and rear shock settings to try and help the bike turn better. The changes made improvements in some places but not in others. But those changes were a bit rushed and now we can fine-tune them for maximum benefit. I did my fastest time on the hardest rear, which didn’t weave around like the others at high speed.

“I didn’t really want to use a qualifier today but thought that the conditions for Superpole tomorrow might be the same as this afternoon. It was the softer qualifier and had better grip in the slower corners but less in the faster corners. I actually thought the time was going to be slower than it was, especially as I made a small mistake and Bussei was in the way at one point. We have also been going better on the other qualifier at previous rounds.”

Chris said: “I felt great this morning but struggled in the afternoon session. It took me all session to match the time from this morning and I hadn’t changed anything huge. Maybe I was trying a bit too hard, but something wasn’t quite there to give me the confidence to go faster. I did change the gearing from the morning, which always affects the geometry, and it did feel heavier but when I reverted to the morning settings and tyres, the bike was chattering so badly that I could hardly see!”

Friday qualifying times, Superbike World Championship, round 9, Assen: 1 Chili 2:04.028; 2 Nannelli 2:04.314; 3 Vermeulen 2;04.859; 4 Bussei 2:05.086; 5 Toseland 2:05.096; 6 Clementi 2:05.382; 7 Hasalm 2:05.410; 8 Laconi 2:05.459; 9 Martin 2:05.552; 10 Corser 2:05.742; 16 Walker 2:06.665

Free practice times: 1 Vermeulen (Ten Kate Honda) 2:05.644; 2 Laconi (Ducati Fila) 2:05.675; 3 Toseland (Ducati Fila) 2:05.773; 4 Bussei (DeCecco Racing) 2:06.310; 5 Borciani (DFX) 2:06.528; 6 Chili (PSG-1) 2:06.629; 7 Walker (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 2:06.724; 8 Bontempi (Zongshen) 2:06.752; 9 Haslam (Renegade Ducati) 2:06.795; 10 Haga (Renegade Ducati) 2:06.882; 13 Corser (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 2:07.134


More, from a press release issued by FG Sport Group:

CHILI CONQUERS HIS FAVOURITE TRACK ON DAY ONE

RAPID FIRE FRANKIE: Pierfrancesco Chili (PSG-1 Ducati 998) proved his life affirming pre-race comments at Assen – that life begins at 40 – really are true by heading the time sheets in the Superbike class. Already a race winner this year on his 999-engined 998RS machine, the current best lap holder once more proved fastest of the field, setting a 2:04.028s mark as the one hour first timed session drew to a close. Second qualifying and Superpole will determine the final grid positions, but on day one Chili showed his intentions for the entire weekend at Assen, a track he reveres above all others.

ITALIAN INVASION: Gianluca Nannelli’s first day riding power put him second in the time sheets, only 0.286 seconds away from provisional pole. It was another impressive showing for the class rookie, on a supposedly outdated 998cc Ducati RS machine, expertly prepared by the Pedercini Team. The 31-year-old is one of four Italian riders on the front row, in a glory day for riders of 998 style Ducatis.

HONDA HOMECOMING: Their bike might be Japanese but the Ten Kate Team is a potent mix of Dutch expertise and Australian riding talent, with Chris Vermeulen (Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) once more attacking the stopwatch with some success, despite many niggling problems with machine set-up. The whole Ten Kate squad, including the machine, are SBK rookies, but at present Vermeulen lies only two points from a share of the championship lead.

BUSSEI BLOSSOMS: After a recent return to the Superbike class, after a sojourn in World Supersport, Giovanni Bussei (De Cecco Racing 998RS) has made a mark, none bigger than finishing day one at the challenging and fast Assen circuit in fourth position. He had the satisfaction of not only beating all the works machines but every Ducati 999-based bike on the grid.

WORKS IN PROGRESS: James Toseland (Ducati Fila 999F04) proved to be the best of the official Ducati entries, running his big twin to fifth place, over a second slower than Chili, with a time of 2:05.096. His team-mate, Regis Laconi lost ground in the second sector of the track, finishing a disappointed eighth, clawing his way onto the final place on the second row of the provisional grid.

KWAK ATTACK: A good day for the Bertocchi Kawasaki squad put Ivan Clementi sixth on the score sheet, running his 1000cc Kawasaki ZX-10 at a high pace in the final result. His team-mate Mauro Sanchini (Kawasaki Bertocchi ZX-10) ran out 11th on day one.

RENEGADE RUNNERS: Leon Haslam showed his rate of progress is continuing to gather momentum, as he outperformed his championship-challenging team-mate Noriyuki Haga on day one. His seventh best placing was in marked contrast to Haga’s 14th. The Ducati Renegade Koji 998RS riders are both expected to improve on day two, with the wonderful weather conditions predicted to continue throughout the three days of competition at Assen.

TOP TENS: Steve Martin (DFX Ducati 999RS) and Troy Corser (Foggy Petronas FP-1) completed a complicated top ten at Assen, with the experienced Piergiorgio Bontempi running out 11th on the improving Zong Shen Suzuki GSX-R1000.

SUPERSPORT: Another quite outstanding performance from championship leader Karl Muggeridge (Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) gave him the upper hand in the first Supersport session, putting a whole second between himself and a chasing pack headed by his own team-mate Broc Parkes (Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR). Muggeridge’s time of 2:06.249 was untouchable, and may even prove to be the pole time in its own right. Sebastien Charpentier (Klaffi Honda CBR600RR) was third, with Muggeridge’s main championship challenger Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Yamaha Italia R6) fourth, and in an overnight front row position.

SUPERSTOCK: The keen season-long competition between series leaders Lorenzo Alfonsi and Gianluca Vizziello continued apace at Assen, as the Italia Lorenzini by Leoni Yamaha R1 riders slugged it out for supremacy on day one. Alfonsi was to take provisional pole, fully 1.114 seconds ahead of Vizziello, with Spaniard Bernat Martinez (Marvimoto Suzuki) third.

Final qualifying for all classes takes place tomorrow, Saturday 4th September.


More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Racing:

FRONT ROW FOR JURGEN! FABIEN BACK!

Yamaha Racing Italia rider Jurgen van den Goorbergh finished the first day of qualifying on the front row of the grid – much to the delight of his home fans. The Dutchman was quick from the start of today’s opening session and then tried different settings to try and improve his R6 Yamaha for tomorrow’s sessions. The surprise of the weekend though was the unexpected return of his team mate Fabien Foret. Foret suffered an ugly crash in the last round at Brands Hatch and broke bones in his left ankle, but the Frenchman decided to try and ride at Assen instead of waiting for the next round. Despite a fall this afternoon, Fabien kept at it and finished a remarkable 19th quickest. Jurgen and Fabien are joined here by former Supersport World Champion Andrew Pitt, who is having a wild card ride for the team. This is Pitt’s first Supersport ride since 2002 and his first time on Pirelli’s, but nevertheless he was able to put in the ninth fastest lap of the day.

JURGEN VD GOORBERGH – 4th, 2:07.597

For me, Friday is not normally the right day for quick times, but today we were competitive right from the start and our settings were close also. Muggeridge was very fast today – and close to the Superbike times – but that’s because his Ten Kate team have tested here many times and so have an advantage, whereas this is our first day. We will try and close the gap on him tomorrow, but all I really need is to keep my front row grid position. I think the weekend is going to stay dry and I would prefer that because, if it rains, strange things can happen.

FABIEN FORET – 19th, 2:09.654

Everybody told me that I was crazy just to get on the bike so soon after the crash, but I wanted to try it and see how it was. I have broken two bones in my right ankle and have it pinned and plated, with six screws. My left leg is still swollen and the ligaments in my right knee are stretched. I don’t have enough strength in my legs to push the bike around, so I’m having to use my upper body instead and that is hard work here at Assen. But, I’d rather do all this then stay at home and watch it on TV. This afternoon I had a stupid crash but, apart from some bruising to my right arm, I’m OK. The bike had a new front tyre and I just lost the front in the first corner, that’s all.

ANDREW PITT – 9th, 2:08.522

I spent the day learning about my R6 Yamaha and also trying to get a feeling about the Pirellis. It is my first time on them, and I didn’t want to do anything silly, so I concentrated and putting in the laps and getting as much info as possible. At the moment, I haven’t got a good feeling about the front, but I have some ideas how to improve the bike’s set-up. I’m satisfied with the first day and I am curious to see how I am going to do tomorrow and then in the race on Sunday.

Friday qualifying
1 Muggeridge (Aus-Honda) 2:06.249, 2 Parkes (Aus-Honda) 2:07.437, 3 Charpentier (F-Honda) 2:07.521, 4 VD GOORBERGH (NL-YAMAHA RACING ITALIA) 2:07.597, 5 Curtain (Aus-Yamaha) 2:07.664, 6 Corradi (I-Honda) 2:08.358, 7 Daemen (B-Honda) 2:08.481, 8 Anderssen (N-Kawasaki) 2:08.507, 9 PITT (AUS-YAMAHA RACING ITALIA) 2:08.522, 10 Veneman (NL-Suzuki) 2:08.523, 19 FORET (F-YAMAHA RACING ITALIA) 2:09.654


More, from a press release issued by Troy Corser’s publicist:

TOP TEN FOR TROY ON DAY ONE.

Troy used the opening day of qualifying at Assen today to try and find a good set-up for his Petronas FP1 instead of chasing quick lap times. At the end of today’s first qualifying, Troy finished tenth with a time of 2:05.742. It was a strange look to final qualifying except for Italian Frankie Chili (Ducati) who posted today’s fastest lap. The surprises started with Gianluca Nannelli (Ducati) in second. Third quickest was Chris Vermeulen (Honda), with Giovanni Bussei (Ducati) fourth – another surprise.

TROY CORSER – 10th, 2:05 742

We were trying quite a few things today and weren’t looking for quick lap times at all. We’ve tried some different suspension set-ups and also different gearing. Getting the best gearing is vital if you want to go quickly at Assen. Although many of the corners are very fast, there are a couple of slow turns and so gearing is always a bit of a compromise. Our bike has improved a little from the last round and the engine now revs to about 14800 rpm, instead of the 13600 from before. This doesn’t actually give us hardly any more power, but it allows us the carry a gear longer. The track felt a bit slippery today and I’m not sure of it was the track, the tyres or maybe both! For me, Assen is one of the hardest races of the year – because it is so fast, and our bike is not as quick as the top bikes. You really have to carry good corner speed here, but we’re losing out on the exits and that is tough. Hopefully, we’ll be further up the grid tomorrow and then we’ll see what happens in the race.


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

STEADY START FOR TOSELAND AND LACONI (DUCATI FILA) AT ASSEN

Assen (Netherlands), 3 September 2004: Ducati Fila riders Regis Laconi and James Toseland got off to a steady start at Assen, qualifying fifth and eighth quickest respectively as Pierfrancesco Chili (PSG-1 Ducati) set the pace in today’s opening session.

The British rider, currently fourth in the standings, clocked a time of 2:05.096 around the 6.027 km TT circuit to take the provisional fifth slot on the grid, while his French team-mate and championship leader was a further four-tenths of a second down in eighth place.

“We worked hard today and I put two nine-lap stints in, which doesn’t sound a lot but around here it is” declared Toseland. “We tested at Mugello and got a good base setting. It was nothing rocket-science but it works with what we know. We’ve got that comfort zone and everything is working pretty well.

“I’m the second fastest on race tyres but I think I’m consistently the fastest rider out there at the moment. Chili’s just beaten me by one-tenth on a race tyre and everyone else is on qualifiers so I’m pretty happy.”

Laconi commented: “I’m not completely happy but we are riding here with the new setting we had in Mugello and we still have to work and make it
better. But the feeling is good and now I just have to find a good lap time.

“The only real difficulty we had was with the qualifying tyre, so we will have to sort that out tomorrow. We changed quite a few things in that session but I just have to learn more this bike with the new setting.”

TIMES: 1. Chili (PSG-1 Ducati) 2’04.028; 2. Nannelli (Ducati) 2:04.314; 3. Vermeulen (Honda) 2:04.859; 4. Bussei (Ducati) 2:05.086; 5.
Toseland (Ducati Fila) 2:05.096; 6. Clementi (Kawasaki) 2:05.382; 7. Haslam (Renegade Ducati) 2:05.410; 8. Laconi (Ducati Fila) 2:05.459 ; etc.


More, from a press release issued by Xerox Ducati Nortel Networks – Scuderia Caracchi

Debut day at Assen with some problem

The debut day of Dutch World Superbike round at Assen isn’t been totally black for the Xerox Ducati Nortel Networks team, but some small trouble interfered with the Garry McCoy’s action, recording a lowly 13th position after the first qualifying session, totally spent to find the best set up for his 999RS Xerox Ducati Nortel Networks.

“I’m not satisfied of today’s result.” – commented Garry McCoy at the end of the day. “But actually this performance it’s not too bad because I’m confident to improve it. Times of everybody are very close and the fourth position isn’t too far. During my fast lap with qualifying tyres I found a slower rider parked along the track and I lose my best lap. But from the morning session to the afternoon one I improved my lap time more as a second and I’m confident that think will be better tomorrow. Today we tested a lot of race tyres, but no one was very satisfactory.”

Satisfied for the scored result, despite a mistake at the end of finish line, is Miguel Praia: “On this track totally for me unknown I got a big improvement and to challenge the Dutch wild card riders on this circuit that they know perfectly is very satisfactory for me.”