From a press release issued by Honda Racing:

HONDA RACING INFORMATION

Dutch TT, Assen, June 24/25/26, 2004

CATHEDRAL SET TO FILL FOR THREE RIDER TITLE RACE

Assen, one of the spiritual homes of Grand Prix motorcycle racing, will be packed to bursting with 100,000 fans from Europe and beyond as the sixth encounter of this gripping 16-round title race unfolds. Spaniard Sete Gibernau (Telefonica MoviStar Honda RC211V) currently heads the points standings with 106, with Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) on 101 and Max Biaggi (Camel Honda RC211V) lying third with 80.

But at this stage of the season, the pattern for the title challenge is by no means set, and three riders knocking on the door of the leaders could come right back into contention with a strong race here. Carlos Checa (Yamaha) currently lies fourth with 49 points while Alex Barros (Repsol Honda RC211V) has 48 points and Colin Edwards (Telefonica MoviStar Honda RC211V) 44.

The three top riders in the Championship have all scored points at each race so far, and consistency is proving to be as much of a requirement as ever as this season progresses. Both Checa and Barros have failed to score once each this season and those points dropped have proved enough to make Assen a key race for both riders this weekend.

The men out front will be giving nothing away. Gibernau won here in the rain last year and he won’t care what the conditions are as he seeks to consolidate his points lead here. But as one of the acknowledged rain specialists he is perhaps best suited to the conditions if rain comes into play.

One hundred miles north of Amsterdam, Assen is a former ‘road’ circuit, with some of the old track layout retained. This makes the track narrow in parts and the camber, essential for drainage on a highway, gives the track a significant crown. Camber is one of the elements of this classic track that catches many riders out.

The track can ‘drop away’ owing to negative camber on entries to turns, and perhaps more significantly, many exits are plagued with the same condition. Just as a rider needs maximum drive – the asphalt conspires to deprive him. And this is only one element that makes Assen so challenging.

The turns almost merge into one here and riders are painfully aware that one small mistake can have severe repercussions in terms of overall lap time. Top speeds here are unlikely to mirror the 215mph ceiling seen at Mugello and the 210mph at Barcelona – but average speed is very high here – 111.446mph in 2002 (rain prevented any increase last year).

But the way in which race times have tumbled this year suggests records will fall here. The total race time in Barcelona two weeks ago was 18 seconds faster than in 2003 and it will be no surprise if that figure is mirrored, or bettered, here in Holland on Saturday.

But much will depend on how the teams and riders wrestle with getting these 230bhp machines adapted to the specific demands of the Circuit van Drenthe. A certain amount of stability is vital for the swooping turns, yet quick-steering is essential for the ultra-fast back section where rapid changes of direction at 170mph are the requirement.

As ‘Speedweek’ gets underway this is what MotoGP series leader Gibernau had to say. “This track has a long history and the fans are great here. It’s such a tough track and if you make a small mistake it can really affect the whole lap time. Set-up is absolutely key here and a responsive machine with good stability is what we are all searching for.”

Biaggi is a big fan of Assen and the Roman is overdue a strong result after a ‘rogue’ tyre robbed him of a better finish than eighth in Spain. “I really like Assen,” he said. “In 2002 I had a great race in the rain and got a podium. The layout is great and there’s lots of grip, even in the wet. In Barcelona I had an abnormal result and I know I need to make up ground – I believe we can get our first win of the season here. I want to be celebrating more than just my birthday here on Saturday.”

Alex Barros will want a podium at least here, before he heads home to Brazil to race there next weekend. “Assen has always been one of my favourite tracks,” he said. “We had a really positive test at Barcelona after the race where we worked on the suspension. Assen is fast and flowing and although we’ll be celebrating my 200th Grand Prix start here – I want to be celebrating a good result.”

His team-mate Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) needs to get his season going here. The American lies tenth overall in the series after failing to finish the last two races. “I really need a good result,” he said. “Qualifying went well at Mugello and Barcelona and those front row starts really gave the team something to smile about. But the races went wrong and I got no points. I hope Assen will be a turnaround race – I’ve just got to come away from here with some points.”

Colin Edwards lies sixth overall and a really good result here could add new purpose to his season. “I like this track a lot,” said the Texan. “I’ve won here in World Superbike and I don’t really mind whether it’s wet or dry. We had a good test after Barcelona and we’ve got our tyre options nailed down now. I’ve got to learn to ride through chatter problems and go less aggressively to keep the pace up for a whole race distance.”

Max’s team-mate Makoto Tamada (Camel Honda RC211V) riding on Bridgestone tyres is ready for action. “It’s not a favourite track of mine,” said the Japanese. “I’ve only raced here once before and maybe after more laps I’ll get to like it a bit better. I need a podium real soon but the bike is good and we’ve got some new tyres coming too. I can’t predict the weather but I’m really motivated for this race.”

In the 250 category Danny Pedrosa (Telefonica MoviStar Junior Team RS250RW) is determined to haul in the eight points that separates him from series leader Randy de Puniet (Aprilia). The young Spanish rider has already achieved two wins so far in his rookie 250 year and knows a victory here will be a significant step towards catching de Puniet.

“This is a great track,” he said. “I won my first Grand Prix here in 2002 and I know how hard you have to concentrate to do well here. You need a fast yet stable bike and I’m sure we can achieve that – the rest is up to me.”

Roberto Rolfo (Fortuna Honda RS250RW) lies sixth in the points standings and the Italian title runner-up last year needs a big result here. ” I love the high corner speeds here,” he said. “It’s my favourite track and I’ve got to be closer to Pedrosa and de Puniet here. Grip is good here and I’ll take things lap by lap.”

Tony Elias (Fortuna Honda RS250RW) is one place higher than Rolfo in the points in fifth and the Spanish charger is all set to shine here. “It’s my favourite track and I love the way all the corners sweep together. When you get a lap of this track right, it’s an amazing feeling – like surfing a pipeline!”

Andrea Dovizioso (Team Scot Honda RS125R) leads the 125cc World Championship with 96 points. Hector Barbera (Aprilia) is chasing the Italian hard with 74. The wily Dovizioso is racing as hard as ever and will seek to press home his lead here.

“I like Assen,” he said. “Picking lines through the fast turns is vital and if you can get them right then you’ll be close to a fast time here. It’s narrow here too so precision is key. You’ve got to have a lot of confidence as well. It’s perhaps the most technical track of them all.”

Simone Corsi (Team Scot Honda RS125R) lies an uncharacteristically lowly 17th in the World Championship standings and will be looking to change that by the time he leaves The Netherlands. “A good lap time here feels great,” he said. “It can be confusing here sometimes and you’ve really got to know the place to do well. I think I have enough experience to do well. I’m confident.”

Thomas Luthi (Elit Grand Prix Honda RS125R) will not be riding after injuring himself in Barcelona while Makita Jankova, a 17-year-old Czech girl, will ride in place of Mattia Angeloni on the Angaia Racing RS125R.