From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

ALSTARE AIMS FOR ASSEN PODIUM

Katsuaki Fujiwara has finished on the Assen podium in Holland twice in the past three years and is looking for another good result at this weekend’s eighth-round World Supersport Championship race to boost his current series position of eighth.

Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra team mate Stephane Chambon – currently ninth in the championship – took fourth last year, but was also on the podium in 2000, so he too is no stranger to success at Assen, while team newcomer Vittorio Iannuzzo – 13th in the hunt – is an unknown, not having ridden there last year in World Supersport.

Many riders describe the Assen circuit as their favourite and it’s not hard to see why: The 6.027 kilometre circuit is fast and flowing and is technically and physically demanding. For many years, it has also been a favourite for the fans and the atmosphere has always been very festive.

KATSUAKI FUJIWARA:

“I like Assen because it is fast, flowing and great fun to ride. It is also very technical so you have to have a very good set-up before you can go fast. If your bike is not perfect, then it is very hard to fight for a top result. I hope I can find a good set-up early in practice and then I can challenge for a podium.”

STEPHANE CHAMBON:

“Assen is a very good track for a rider. When you make a good lap it is a great thrill and a wonderful feeling. It is a hard track because it is quite technical, but it is good because it flows really well. I think it’s bad that we have had such a long gap since the last race because we will have to spend the first practice getting back into the swing of things instead of pushing hard straight away. I’ve had a good holiday, but I would’ve preferred a race.”

VITTORIO IANNUZZO:

“Assen is a good track and I am hoping that I can finally get a good result there. This season has not turned out as I expected and I am not sure why. I feel I am trying as hard as I can, but the results have not come my way at all. I want to end the last part of this year on a high and I hope I can do this starting at Assen. I didn’t race Supersport there last year so once again I will be starting from the beginning.”

2003 Results:

1 Muggeridge (Aus-Honda), 2 Vermeulen (Aus-Honda), 3 KATSUAKI FUJIWARA (J-ALSTARE SUZUKI CORONA EXTRA), 4 STEPHANE CHAMBON (F-ALSTARE SUZUKI CORONA EXTRA). VITTORIO IANNUZZO (I-ALSTARE SUZUKI CORONA EXTRA) – DNS.