INAUGURAL RED FLAG FUND AUCTION SET FOR 7/7/07 Charity Auction to be Held on ASRA/CCS and MOTO-ST Weekend at Road America Sussex, WI – (June 27, 2007) The Red Flag Fund will hold its inaugural charity auction on Saturday, July 7, 2007, during the ASRA/CCS and MOTO-ST race weekend at Road America. The auction will be held in the Buell Motorcycle Company hospitality tent located in Road America’s competition paddock. Bidder registration opens on Friday, July 6, and closes at 6 PM Saturday, July 7. The auction starts at 7 PM. Food and beverages will be available through Road America’s concessions. Carry-ins are also permitted. “Our first Red Flag Fund Auction is set to be a fantastic event,” said Red Flag Fund President Jeffery Kufalk. “We have a bunch of great items to benefit a truly great cause, as the money raised will be used to provide financial support to roadracers who are seriously injured during competition.” Highlights of the Red Flag Fund Auction items include: Original MotoGP artwork by Western Art and Design AK-20 Axxion Cartridge kit by Traxxion Dynamics New custom leathers by Moto-Heaven Motorcycle memorabilia from Jordan Motorsports, KWS, Factory Honda Racing, Factory Yamaha Racing, Buell Motorcycle Company and various MotoGP teams and racers. Items from Stomp, Vortex, Woodcraft, Leo Vince, No-Mar, Bridgestone, Spyder Leatherworks, EBC, Kryptonite, Condor-Lift and much more. Red Flag Fund, Inc. is non-stock, non-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable company formed to provide financial assistance to seriously injured motorcycle roadracers, as well as educate motorcycle riders on the importance of proper safety gear. For more information, go to http://www.redflagfund.org/

Best Yet to Come from Aprilia USA Team as They Look for Their First SunTrust MOTO-ST Series Win at Road America DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — According to rider Ty Howard, the No. 6 Aprilia USA team hasn’t yet hit its stride in the SunTrust MOTO-ST Series. And that is bad news for its rivals. Heading into Round 4 of this year’s SunTrust MOTO-ST Series at Road America July 7-8, the No. 6 Aprilia leads the Team standings in the Buell Motorcycle Company SuperSport Twins class with 99 points, and Howard and teammate Troy Green share first place in the Rider point standings with 87. But the Texas duo has yet to cross the finish line first, despite being among the fastest on-track combinations every time out. “The first half has gone really good,” said Howard, from Weatherford, Tex. “The biggest thing was we wanted to see an improvement from the team at every round and I think that’s been the case. We’ve had teething problems at each race, but to come out of it all with the points lead is really exciting. We feel we should have won all three.” The No. 6 Aprilia Tuono 1000R actually did pick up the win in the season opening Daytona USA 300 at Daytona International Speedway March 3, but on that occasion it was handled by Italian guest riders Giancarlo De Matteis and Federico Aliverti. Howard and Green were on the sister No. 5 Tuono and lost time early on due to a problem with their dry break refueling system. They eventually finished eighth. Howard and Green were on the No. 6 bike for round 2, the Homestead 500K at Homestead-Miami Speedway April 14 but settled for second place after a race long duel with the winning No. 18 Roadracingworld.com Suzuki SV1000S of Chris Ulrich and Michael Barnes. The Aprilia team didn’t have a system in place to make a quick change of its front Pirelli tire, and had to run the entire race on the same front. Two weeks later at Virginia International Raceway Howard and Green were again in the thick of the lead battle with the No. 46 San Jose BMW R1200 of Brian Parriott and Nate Kern. Howard, however, lost a lap in the pits during a safety car period and Green admitted he was not at his best on the daunting VIR road circuit. The pair settled for second place as the team of the No. 46 San Jose BMW took home their first victory in the 2007 season. “I struggled a little bit,” said Green, who lives in Dallas. “I had never raced on the track before. I was a little bummed out. I was turning slower lap times in the race than I had during practice. It was a really physical track and I think I backed off a little too much. We knew Ty would be faster and we had planned on him riding three stints anyway. It was amazing that he was able to do that, because that was the most physical track I’ve been to.” The Aprilia USA team’s success has been all the more impressive given its lack of endurance road racing experience. Howard and Green have both competed in endurance events extensively, but the team, run by Johnstown, Ohio’s Lloyd Brothers Motorsports, has a background in flat track racing. “They came to Daytona with really limited experience of modern road racing and zero experience of endurance road racing,” Green said. “It’s a steep learning curve, but they’re smart guys. The biggest thing has just been getting everybody up to speed and we’ve been getting better every weekend. If we can keep the momentum going, hopefully we’re going to win a couple.” “They’re very professional in all they do,” Howard said of the squad. “All the pieces have just been falling together. Troy has been really good too. He’s an endurance racer but he’s also an engineer, and he’s helped design our quick change stuff.” “That’s my contribution to the team,” Green joked. “I figure if I can save the team about 20 seconds changing tires on a pit stop, it makes my almost as fast as Ty.” And even though Howard and Green both have extensive endurance racing experience, they’ve had very little time on twin-cylinder motorcycles like the Aprilia Tuono 1000R. Howard had never even ridden a twin before the Daytona season opener. “Ty and I were joking on the way to Daytona that I was the one with the experience of riding a twin,” Green said. “And all my experience was two stints on a 748 Ducati back in 2001 or 2002. So it’s all new to both of us, and there are little things to get used to. It’s definitely a fun motorcycle to ride.” Both riders are looking forward to the classic 4.0-mile Road America track, and both Howard and Green have ridden there previously. “It’ll be nice to not have to go out in the first session and figure out where the track goes,” Green said. Howard thinks the Aprilia will fare well against its chief championship rivals at Road America, the San Jose BMW and the No. 32 Vallely Racing Suzuki SV1000S that are tied for second in the Team point standings, 15 points behind the No. 6 Aprilia. “The bike has a really good handling chassis,” Howard said. “The engine doesn’t have the hump out of the corners like our rivals, but through fourth, fifth and sixth gear we seem to have the speed. I think it’s a very aerodynamic bike. It’s a heavy bike, and we can’t get onto the brakes as late as the others, and that’s a disadvantage. But we’ll have something for them at Road America.” In addition to the MOTO-ST 500K At Road America, the SunTrust MOTO-ST Series will also include the Iowa Speedway 500K at Iowa Speedway July 12-13, 2007 and the 8 Hours At Daytona Finale, October 19-20 at Daytona International Speedway. MOTO-ST is organized and sanctioned by Professional Motorsports Productions (PMP) of Toronto, Ontario, Canada and the Grand American Road Racing Association, based in Daytona Beach, Fla., provides the series with administrative and commercial support. The MOTO-ST advisory board features some of the most respected individuals in the world of motorsports, including Hall of Fame members, respected motorcycle racing journalists and renowned officials from various forms of road racing. Learn more about MOTO-ST at www.moto-st.com.

HISTORY BECKONS AT RACE CITY STIRLING, ON When the starting lights turn green in the Parts Canada Superbike Championship race at Race City Motorsport Park Saturday afternoon, history will be made. And by the time the second race in the doubleheader weekend is over on Sunday, another significant milestone may have been reached. The opening Superbike race in the Canada Day Weekend spectacular will mark the 25th national feature class event to have been held at the 3.2km (2.0-mile) 11-turn road course. Only Shannonville Motorsport Park near Belleville, Ont. has hosted more national Superbike rounds in the 28-year history of the class, with 41. Vancouver’s Gary Goodfellow won the first Superbike national at Race City in 1987. There is also a place in Canadian Superbike history on the line for Canadian Kawasaki Motors factory rider Jordan Szoke. If the 28-year-old Brantford, Ont. racer can sweep both Calgary races he will reach 23 career wins and tie Steve Crevier for the most victories in national Superbike competition. The odds look good for Szoke, the defending Parts Canada Superbike champion. He has won more Superbike features at Race City than any other competitor, including his sixth triumph last year when he outduelled local ace Clint McBain in a thrilling battle. That victory was one of five he scored en route to his third Parts Canada Superbike Championship. Szoke got his title defence off to a perfect start by winning this year’s series opener at Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant on his Kawasaki ZX-10R, holding off the Team Suzuki / Blackfoot / Picotte Performance Suzuki GSX- R1000 of St-Cecile de Milton, Que.’s Pascal Picotte. Szoke will face a tough challenge in his bid to match Crevier’s win total this weekend, and Crevier himself may pose the biggest threat. The 41- year-old from Maple Ridge, B.C. overcame a poor starting position to finish fourth at Mont-Tremblant on his Team Toyota Yamaha / Fast Company Yamaha YZF- R1 and the six-time Superbike champion has two Race City wins to his credit. Also Yamaha-mounted will be last year’s Superbike series runner-up Kevin Lacombe of Granby, Que., who was third at Mont-Tremblant on the Team Toyota Yamaha / Brooklin Cycle R1. The Suzuki threat will include Picotte’s teammate Francis Martin of Rock Forest, Que. and Cochrane, Alta.’s McBain on the Suzuki Acceleration Racing entry. McBain swept both ends of the doubleheader at Race City in 2005. Szoke is joined in the Canadian Kawasaki factory team by 15-year-old rookie Pro Brett McCormick of Saskatoon, who finished an impressive sixth in his debut in round 1. Szoke will also be looking to sweep both races for the Yoshimura Pro 600 Sport Bike Championship on his Kawasaki ZX-6RR. He is the defending champion in that class and won the season opener. He will likely face his stiffest challenges from Crevier and last year’s Race City winner Lacombe on their Yamahas, the Suzuki duo of Picotte and Martin, and young McCormick. The Race City weekend will also feature doubleheader action for the International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike, Thunder twins and Suzuki SV650 National Cup classes. Qualifying for all five national classes will be held Friday afternoon, with the Superbike and Pro 600 Sport Bike competitors going for the $500 Inside Motorcycles Pole Position Award. Feature races will go Saturday and Sunday. For more series information, visit www.cdnsuperbike.com All Time Race City Superbike Wins Jordan Szoke (Brantford, ON) 6; Pascal Picotte (Granby, QC) 4; Michael Taylor (Toronto, ON) 3; Steve Crevier (Maple Ridge, BC) 2; Clint McBain (Calgary, AB) 2; Gary Goodfellow (Vancouver, BC) 1; Rueben McMurter (London, ON) 1; Michel Mercier (Thetford Mines, QC) 1; Don Munroe (Halifax, NS) 1; Francis Martin (Rock Forest, QC) 1; Jeff Williams (Harrowsmith, ON) 1; Owen Weichel (Toronto, ON) 1 Race City Fast Fact “¦The last four times Race City Motorsport Park has hosted a doubleheader one racer has swept both Superbike features. Jordan Szoke did it in 2000 and 2002, Pascal Picotte doubled up in 2004 and Clint McBain swept in 2005. The last split was in 1999, when Francis Martin and Jeff Williams shared the wins for Kawasaki. 2007 Point Standings Parts Canada Superbike: 1. Jordan Szoke (Kawasaki) 52; 2. Pascal Picotte (Suzuki) 42; 3. Kevin Lacombe (Yamaha) 37; 4. Steve Crevier (Yamaha) 32; 5. Clint McBain (Suzuki) 29 Yoshimura Pro 600 Sport Bike: 1. Jordan Szoke (Kawasaki) 56; 2. Pascal Picotte (Suzuki) 45; 3. Steve Crevier (Yamaha) 39 International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike: 1. Paul Glenn (Suzuki) 52; 2. Catherine Nadeau (Yamaha) 42; 3. Martin Ricard (Kawasaki) 37 Canadian Thunder: 1. Michael Taylor (BMW) 56; 2. Jim Proulx (Buell) 44; 3. Michael Leon (Buell) 37 Suzuki SV650 National Cup: 1. Derek Vammus 50; 2. Martin Grande 44; 3. Andre Talbot 37 Provisional Weekend Schedule Friday June 29 12:30 p.m.-12:55 p.m. Yoshimura Pro 600 Sport Bike Qualifying (for the Inside Motorcycles Pole Position Award) 1:05 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Thunder (Twins) Qualifying 1:40 p.m.-2:05 p.m. International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike Qualifying 2:15 p.m.-3:05 p.m. Parts Canada Superbike Qualifying (for the Inside Motorcycles Pole Position Award) 3:15 p.m.-3:40 p.m. Suzuki SV650 Cup Qualifying Saturday June 30 1:00 p.m. Yoshimura Pro 600 Sport Bike Race 18 laps Thunder and Suzuki SV650 National Cup Race (two wave start) 16 laps International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike Race 14 laps 3:00 p.m. Parts Canada Superbike Championship Race 22 laps Sunday July 1 1:00 p.m. Yoshimura Pro 600 Sport Bike Race 18 laps Thunder and Suzuki SV650 National Cup Race (two wave start) 16 laps International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike Race 14 laps 3:00 p.m. Parts Canada Superbike Championship Race 22 laps

MotoGP hits the Netherlands for A-Style TT Assen A-Style TT Assen Wednesday 27th June Preview With little over two days to have begun preparations for the A-Style TT Assen, the MotoGP paddock was filled with riders and teams busy setting up what will be their bases for the next four days. Most had arrived straight from Donington Park, where round eight of the MotoGP World Championship took place under the same wet conditions predicted for the Netherlands MotoGP star Loris Capirossi was joined by reigning 250cc World Champion Jorge Lorenzo and local 125cc riders Joey Litjens and Hugo van den Berg in Amsterdam, 2 hours from the scene of the A-Style TT Assen, for some early fun ahead of the Dutch race. The quartet enjoyed a pleasant boat trip down the canals of the capital, under pleasant sunshine, before stopping for a visit to the Gassan diamond factory. Taking in the production process of some of Holland’s most precious stones under the guidance of a company delegate, all four were greatly impressed with their excursion before tomorrow’s first practice sessions at the historic Assen circuit. Capirossi in particular expressed his fascination with the jewellery presented at the occasion, stating that he would be returning to the factory at some point alongside his wife Ingrid. Sipping champagne at the end of the event, quarter litre championship leader Lorenzo received a special surprise when he discovered an authentic Gassan diamond placed in his glass. He will be hoping that such luck lasts the whole weekend, as he looks to extend his lead in the title chase. The pre-event press conference was another star-studded affair at Assen, with MotoGP World Championship leader Casey Stoner joined by last year’s race winner and reigning World Champion Nicky Hayden, Kawasaki new boy Anthony West, Fiat Yamaha’s ‘nearly man’ of the 2006 race at Assen Colin Edwards and 250cc title challenger Andrea Dovizioso. All five commented on some of the changes experienced by the track over the past two years, and assessed their performances at a difficult British race at Donington just four days ago. Hayden and Edwards also relived the jaw-dropping finale to last year’s visit to Assen, with the latter jokingly describing his last corner crash as a ‘present to Nicky for every birthday as long as he lives’. Edwards also announced that both he and team-mate Valentino Rossi will be running a special livery tomorrow, although he refused to be drawn on any details. Practice for the A-Style TT Assen begins tomorrow at 9am local time, with the 125cc riders in action first and the MotoGP class taking to the track at 10am. Casey Stoner “I’m still pinching myself to believe that all this is happening; We still have to have the same mentality as before. As far as Assen goes, there were some big changes last year, and I suppose that compared to the old circuit- it isn’t quite as enjoyable to ride without all the changes in camber.”

Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra news 2007 Superbike World Championship Pirelli tests, Brno – 26/27 June Circuit: 5.403 kms. Conditions: Some rain on day one, otherwise sunny/cloudy. YUKIO HAPPY TO BE FIRST! Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Yukio Kagayama posted the fastest time on race rubber at Brno today and left the Czech Republic track with a big smile on his face. He and the team carried on their work from Misano ten days or so ago and the successful changes made there and here at these tests have given him and the team great hope for the rest of the season. Although Yukio was not the fastest rider on qualifying tyres, his lap times on those were hardly any better then on regular rubber. On qualifying tyres, current World Champion Troy Bayliss (Ducati) was the quickest, with James Toseland (Honda) second and and Yukio third. Yukio’s team mate Max Biaggi was disappointed not to have gone faster then he did at a track he likes and knows well. At the end of the two days, he did not find a comfortable set-up and was unable to finish in the top three. But Max knows that tests are one thing and races are something else and is confident that the race here in four weeks time could easily see a change in fortunes. Yukio I am very happy. Not because I was the fastest on race rubber, but because I am enjoying riding my bike and I like this feeling a lot. We made some changes in our direction at Misano and was really happy with what we found. So, here at Brno we have carried on this good work and the bike is much more easy to ride. At the start of the season I didn’t know where the bike’s limits were and that was a scary feeling. But now I feel more comfortable and I am able to understand my bike a lot better. I am only sorry that we didn’t find this solution at the start of the year, but now I am looking forward to the rest of the season and challenging for the podiums again. Max I like Brno and it has been a good track for me, but coming here on a Superbike is a very different feeling to when I raced herebefore. The circuit feels the same, but for sure the grip is different – because of the tyres we use now. Generally I don’t feel so great after two days because my lap times are not good enough. We’ve been working on a number of things these two days including engine-braking and getting the bike to change direction more easily. I don’t think we solved all our problems, so there will be more work to do when we come here to race in a month or so. I have pushed as hard as I could here at the tests and the team have worked hard. We are all in this together and we will continue to try and solve our problems and be in a good position when it comes to the race. Best lap times WSBK Brno tests – Day 2, Wednesday Yukio Kagayama (J-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 2:00.4 (R) 2:00.37 (Q) Corser (Aus-Yamaha) 2:00.4 (R) Haga (J-Yamaha) 2:00.8 (R) Toseland (GB-Honda) 2:00.9 (R) 2:00.3 (Q) Bayliss (Aus-Ducati) 2:01.1 (R) 2:00.2 (Q) Biaggi (I-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 2:01.2 (R) Nieto (E-Kawasaki) 2:01.6 (R) 2:00.8 (Q) Rolfo (I-Honda) 2:01.7 (R) 2:01.4 (Q) Laconi (F-Kawasaki) 2:01.8 (R) Lanzi (I-Ducati) 2:02.0 (R) 2:00.4 (R) R denotes race rubber, Q is qualifying tyre WSBK Brno tests – Day 1, Tuesday Haga (J-Yamaha) 2:01.0 Bayliss (Aus-Ducati) 2:01.5 Toseland (GB-Honda) 2:01.9 Kagayama (J-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 2:02.2 Corser (Aus-Yamaha) 2:02.3 Lanzi (I-Ducati) 2:02.5 Biaggi (I-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 2:02.9 Laconi (F-Kawasaki) 2:03.2 Rolfo (I-Honda) 2:03.5 Nieto (E-Kawasaki) 2:03.7 (all times supplied by Pirelli) More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse: Wednesday Jun 27 2007 Test WORLD SUPERBIKE DEVELOPMENT TEAMS WRAP UP TWO-DAY TEST SESSION AT BRNO Brno (Czech Republic), Wednesday 27 June: The top five World Superbike development teams, one from each manufacturer, have concluded a two-day official Pirelli test session at the Brno circuit, home to next month’s Czech round of the championship. The quickest time over the two days in relatively cool conditions (track 19° C / air 29° C) was set by Ducati Xerox Team riders Bayliss and Lanzi on qualifying tyres, but in race trim they were both further down the order. “Today I did 90 laps and I’m pretty exhausted” declared Troy. “Everything went OK, we came here hoping to do a simulation for the race but the conditions were not that good, the cool temperatures and a bit of wind made it not ideal. It will surely be much hotter when we come here in a month. I did two race simulations and things went pretty well, but we didn’t really get what we wanted by coming here. Now I can’t wait to get down to Misano for the World Ducati Week and see all the Ducatis and ducatisti”. “Today went a bit better than yesterday when the track was dirty and it rained a bit” commented Lorenzo. “I did about 70 laps today and we found some good solutions for the race. On qualifying tyres I went quicker than last year and also with race tyres I went quite well, the problem is that the others all went better. We knew that this track would create problems for us, conditions were not ideal, let’s hope things will be different when we come here for the race in July”. Both Ducati Xerox Team riders will now be heading directly to the Misano World Circuit in Italy to attend WDW2007 which is being held from Thursday 28 June to Sunday 1 July. BEST TIMES (provided by Pirelli): 1. Kagayama (Suzuki) 2m00.4s (Q 2m00.4s); 2. Corser (Yamaha) 2m00.4s; 3. Haga (Yamaha) 2m00.8s; 4. Toseland 2m00.9s (Q 2m00.3s); 5. Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) 2m01.0s (Q 2m00.2s); 6. Bayliss 2m01.1s (Q 2m00.2s); 7. Biaggi (Suzuki) 2m01.2s; 8. Nieto (Kawasaki) 2m01.6s (Q 2m00.8s); 9 Rolfo (Honda) 2m01.7s (Q 2m01.4s); 10. Laconi (Kawasaki) 2m01.8s. More, from a press release issued by Pirelli: PIRELLI DEVELOPMENT TEAM TEST BRNO, CZECH REP. 26/27 JUNE 2007 June 2007, Brno (Czech Republic) Pirelli is always developing new solutions to improve the performance of its tyres. Once again the development teams carried out a two days test in order to evaluate the new solutions brought by Pirelli. This was a job intended to offer not only the best tyres for the race they will dispute in Brno in two weeks time, but also to start developing the new tyres that next winter will be again tested and then will participate to next season races. The first day of test the track was still dump for the rain of previous days, and the temperature was quite low. Riders tested some new solutions and started to concentrate mainly on the setup of the bike, as Misano has shown that a test can be really helpful to get the bike ready for the race. Fastest SBK riders were Haga, Bayliss and Toseland, while in SSP the fastest time was set by Parkes, followed by Sofuoglu and Charpentier. On the second day weather was slightly better, and basically all the riders could improve their lap times setting really good times, although these are strange conditions that is not easy to predict for the race. More, from a press release issued by HANNspree Ten Kate Honda: HANNspree Ten Kate Honda positive after Brno test World Superbike and Supersport Championships Pirelli test: Brno, Czech Republic Thursday 28 June Test report Following two days of Pirelli tyre testing at Brno in the Czech Republic, HANNspree Ten Kate Honda leaves the circuit with some impressive lap times and invaluable bike development under its belt. The team took the opportunity to work on the settings of the CBR1000RR Superbike and CBR600RR Supersport machines in preparation for the ninth round of the 2007 Championship at Brno in three weeks time. With the focus for the Superbike riders on the development of new suspension parts and an improved traction control system, championship leader James Toseland recorded the second fastest lap on a qualifying tyre and fourth fastest on a race tyre. Team-mate Roberto Rolfo – who was also concentrating on race set-up – came in ninth fastest overall. In the Supersport camp, Kenan Sofuoglu and Sébastien Charpentier set identical fastest lap times of 2’04.1 to be placed in joint first on the time sheets. The successful two days in Brno put the entire team in a positive frame of mind ahead of the official FGSport test at Vallelunga on 7 and 8 July. Ronald Ten Kate, Team Manager: “We really achieved a lot during the Brno test. We had a lot of new parts to test from WA suspension, STM clutch parts, and last but not least, the PI Research traction control system. We managed to improve the bike in a lot of areas, but there is still work to be done at the test in Vallelunga before the ninth round. “We’ve also tested a lot of new parts on the Supersport side. We didn’t go for the one-lap wonder, but instead focused on race distance. Over the whole race distance we were around almost 30 seconds quicker than last year, which is a massive improvement. We are coming to a point in the season where we are starting to fully understand the all-new CBR600RR and this is showing in the results. We have one more test in Vallelunga where we will receive some new development parts and then we should be ready for the remainder of the 2007 season.” James Toseland: “This has been a good test. We went from A-Z with suspension and settings and we have really worked hard over the two days. We’ve invited PI Research back with the electronics to try and find some improvement with these. The package is feeling pretty good again. I felt like we were falling behind a bit electronically, so it’s really nice to test something else and try to improve. I’m leaving here feeling encouraged.” Roberto Rolfo: “I am quite happy. The first day we worked more on the testing of the bike – I tried to get a good feeling in the front because that is very important on this track. It was a good day but not a fast as I wanted. On the second day I pushed harder and we found a good setting for the bike. We tried different solutions towards the end so I was able to improve on my lap times. In any case, I am feeling confident for the next round.” Kenan Sofuoglu: I am really happy that I got the fastest lap time. We have tried many things on the bike over the last two days and now my package is very good. I think I am almost two seconds faster than I was here last year and I have been consistently fast over race distance rather than in one quick lap, which is good. I think if I can do what I have done here in the race than I will be successful.” Sébastien Charpentier: “This has been very good testing for me – I have really enjoyed it. I’ve made some very good lap times alongside Kenan and I hope that this can give us a good advantage over the other riders when it comes to the race. We have tested a lot of different solutions on the bike and we are really happy with it now. We have one more test in Vallelunga so I think by the time we race back in Brno, we will have a very good set-up”

Bridgestone GP Briefing Round 9: Netherlands Wednesday 27 June 2007 MotoGP heads to one of its most historic race venues this weekend as the Assen circuit plays host to the Dutch TT, the halfway point of this season’s exhilarating championship. Ducati Corse’s Casey Stoner leads the championship by 26 points after a dominant race victory around the Donington Park circuit in Britain last weekend, intelligently using his Bridgestone wet weather tyres in the wet-drying conditions over thirty long race laps on Sunday. With more rain forecast for this weekend’s Assen event, riders will be looking to draw from the valuable wet running in Britain in preparation for Saturday’s Dutch GP. Assen has played host to an annual premier class event since the championship’s inception back in 1949 at which time it was one of just six events on the calendar and was run on a 16.5km road course. Since its move to a circuit configuration in 1955, the track has been frequently modified, most recently in time for last year’s race, a revamp which reduced the lap length from 6km to its latest 4.555km form. Bridgestone will be looking to continue its competitive form in the 2007 season and to consolidate its best ever Assen result from last season when Suzuki’s John Hopkins secured his maiden MotoGP pole position and Shinya Nakano finished a strong second in the race for Kawasaki. Tyre Talk with Hiroshi Yamada Bridgestone Motorsport – Manager, Motorcycle Sport Department What technical challenges does the new-look Assen circuit offer tyre manufacturers? “In some ways, the new Assen track is a bit like Donington with a higher proportion of right-hand corners to left-handers. This will again place a lot of importance on the warm-up performance of the tyres on the left-hand side. The asphalt is not the same all round the 4.5km lap because the first sector has been notably altered recently and has resulted in a very tight, slow section which is quite reminiscent of the first corners at Shanghai. After that we are faced with a series of tricky 90-degree angle corners which are one of the unique aspects of the Assen layout.” What lessons did Bridgestone learn from last year’s debut race at the revised, shorter Assen? “The biggest issue that we faced in last season’s Assen race was tyre degradation and inconsistency over the race distance, even if Shinya and Kawasaki did a very good job to finish in second place. The right-hand side of the tyre is punished quite a lot and it is this area which is our real focus. We have not experienced too many degradation issues this season and overall our race tyres have been regularly competitive with all of our five teams, but we must treat each circuit on its own and not take anything for granted.” Does Bridgestone have anything new for Assen? “We will be bringing medium and hard compound rears to Assen in an effort to counter the degradation levels we saw last year. We were able to evaluate our new 16” rear tyres in Donington and some teams indicated their intention to race with them had it been dry on Sunday afternoon. The track characteristics could suit better the 16” rear tyres because it gives some teams more stability and traction with their machines, which is helpful in Assen. Qualifying is important too because the track does not offer as many overtaking opportunities, so we will have new compounds for our qualifiers which were assessed in the post Catalunya test. We may even see teams opt for more qualifying tyres in their allocation of 17 rear tyres, but, like Donington, rain is predicted, so it is possible our wet weather tyres will get even more track time this weekend.” Riding Perspective with Kawasaki’s Anthony West “My first race in MotoGP was amazing. Everything was new: the team, the way that the bike and tyres work. I was really nervous at the beginning but lap after lap I felt more and more comfortable. The performance of the Kawasaki and Bridgestones is amazing. It was quite cold and slippery, not the best conditions for tyres, and I also had very few hours on the bike but the Bridgestone tyres felt really good, especially in the wet it is incredible how much grip you can get. But the biggest surprise were the qualifying tyres. I didn’t know what to expect and it was just unbelievable! It is amazing how much grip they have but you need to get used to the feeling first to take advantage of it during the only lap you have. I like Assen’s track and I have as well good memories from there as I won my first GP race in 2003 riding a 250cc. It used to be really fast and flowing track. The first part was changed and it lost a bit of the magic but the last part, the nicest one, remains the same. There are some corners that you can go in there really hard. I am really looking forward to ride around there with the Ninja ZX-RR. I would like to go there and be fast but still there is a lot to learn and I need more time. The aim is just to go there and do the same good job we did in Donington, improving session after session. I am still getting used to the whole thing and it is going to take a while yet but I am having a lot of fun at the moment and it is all good.” 2006 Flashback Race Winner Nicky Hayden Honda 42m27.404s Top Rider on Bridgestone (2nd) Shinya Nakano Kawasaki 42m32.288s (+4.884s) Qualifying Pole Position and Top Rider on Bridgestone John Hopkins Suzuki 1m36.411s

EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CONTINUES FOR TEAM HONDA GRESINI The unrelenting quest for MotoGP World Championship honours continues this weekend with barely enough time for the teams and riders to catch their breath after the last event. With the British Grand Prix now behind them, Team Honda Gresini are now looking ahead with optimism to the Dutch TT, which takes place as always on the final Saturday in June. Assen is the only present-day circuit that has been on the MotoGP World Championship calendar every year since its inaugural season of 1949. Dramatically altered last season in order to make way for a new motorsport theme park, the Dutch TT remains an unmissable event and still features flowing sections of track that are a pleasure for riders and fans alike. The track reduction, in fact, removed some of the most exciting corners, with their spine-tingling blind crests and camber. At round nine the championship reaches its halfway stage but the Team Honda Gresini riders are both ready for the latest challenge. During the weekend at Donington Park, Marco Melandri and Toni Elias were able to define the set-up of their RC212V machines in the wet and gather information that could prove crucial Assen, with rain and bad weather forecast for much of the weekend. MARCO MELANDRI: “Last year was a really tough race for me. It was only a short time after that terrible crash in Barcelona and I was still suffering. This time the situation is completely different but we are also going through something of a difficult period. The whole squad are working really hard but we still have a lot to do. The Dutch TT has always been one of my favourite races. Unfortunately it has lost some of its magic since they changed the track because they removed the most flowing section of the old layout.” TONI ELIAS: “Assen has always been my favourite circuit because it is technical, fast and flowing. Unfortunately I have never actually raced here in MotoGP and don’t really know the new layout too well because I only completed two laps in free practice last year when I crashed and hurt myself. I missed out completely in 2005 because I broke my hand at Le Mans so it will be virtually a new circuit to me. Hopefully I can have a nice race and pick up a better result than the last couple of races.” THE OTHER RACE: In MotoGP the racing doesn’t just take place on the track. As soon as the chequered flag was waved at Donington, the next race began, with the team packing up in just 3-4 hours and loading up the bikes and materials in to the trucks in preparation for the journey to Assen, where the track action will resume in just four days’ time. It is a long and tiring job for the Team Honda Gresini hospitality staff, who require around 14 hours to dismantle the entire structure – working late into the night on Sunday before rising early on Monday morning to set sail for Assen. It takes around four hours to cover the 200km to Harwick, the sea port of departure from British shores. After an overnight ferry crossing, the trucks disembark at Oeck Van Holland in the early hours of Monday morning and immediately tackle the 250km trip to Assen, where they arrive around lunchtime. “It’s a race against time,” says Maurizio Giordani, Honda Gresini’s Hospitality Manager, who is in charge of six members of staff. “And it doesn’t finish when we arrive at the track because we need another 14 hours to erect the hospitality unit again and have it ready for lunch on Wednesday.”

HONDA MEN HIT FORM AS SEASON REACHES HALFWAY After such a spirited performance in last weekend’s British Grand Prix, both Repsol Honda riders are ready to make sure they build on the speed shown at Donington Park and the pair approach Assen buoyed by those recent rides. Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda RC212V) finished eighth and Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC212V) crashed, pitted and rejoined for a finish at Donington. Dani led in the wet conditions before his tyre choice proved incorrect and Nicky was fighting at the front before he fell. Strange as it may sound, it was an encouraging weekend because these riders were getting back to their best after a difficult start to the season. And Assen is where the revival should really take root. Both riders now have the capability to shine here in Holland and to take the fight to series points leader Casey Stoner (Ducati). Nicky won here last year on his way to the World Championship title and a repeat of that epic win would give him the impetus he needs to re-establish himself as a force this season. Dani currently lies third overall in the World Championship and the young Spaniard knows he can’t afford to let Stoner and second-placed Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) establish themselves as the only two contenders for this year’s title. With nine rounds remaining from 18 races after this one, Assen represents Dani’s chance to claw his way back into the reckoning. Marco Melandri (Gresini Honda RC212V) is having a patchy season so far with his best result so far a second place in France. He finished second here in 2005 and seventh last year. The Italian is conscious that he needs at least a podium here to overhaul the two Suzuki riders who currently sit above him in fourth and fifth in the points table. Melandri’s team-mate Toni Elias (Gresini Honda RC212V) has only enjoyed a single podium finish so far in Turkey. The hard-charging Spanish rider is a race-winner as he proved at the end of the last season and his bustling, all-action style will ensure he is nothing less than spectacular as he muscles his RC2112V around the high-speed curves here. The entire ‘Northern Loop’ section of this classic track was bulldozed in 2005 to make way for a hotel and conference centre complex, reducing the lap distance from 6.027km to 4.555km, but whatever’s people view of the changes made The Circuit Van Drenthe remains an imposing task for riders. One hundred miles north of Amsterdam, Assen is a fearsomely demanding track. A former ‘road’ circuit, with some of the old layout retained, the track is very narrow in Camber, essential for drainage on a highway, gives the track a significant crown and this is one of the features of a tricky track that catches many riders out. The surface 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. Much will depend on how the teams and riders wrestle with getting these 800cc 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 equirement. Carlos Checa (LCR Honda RC212V) finished third here in 2002 and was fourth in 2003. A repeat of those strong finishes would be most welcome for the experienced Spanish rider this weekend. And if Carlos can get his machine dialled in quickly here, he has the pace and deep track knowledge to be among the quick men. Shinya Nakano (Konica Minolta Honda RC212V) has still not quite got the measure of this new generation of 800cc machines but when the Japanese ace and his crew finally get on top of the set-up requirements, Nakano will fly. He finished second to Nicky here last year and a repeat of that result would be a timely boost for him. Kurtis Roberts (Roberts KR212V) will again be the sole rider on the Honda-powered machine and after a gritty ride to 13th in the Donington deluge, the American rider will be aiming to achieve a top ten finish for the machine for the first time this year. Nicky Hayden said: “I’ve got good memories from Assen last year. It was my first MotoGP victory away from home soil and that was a pretty special moment. This is a track I’ve really enjoyed in the past and I’ve had some good results here too. It’s quite a unique circuit, less so now since they made the changes for last year, but it’s still a cool track and has a different feel from most other circuits in the world. There were definitely some positives from last weekend at Donington in spite of the crash in the race, and we just need to build on them.” Dani Pedrosa said: “I’m looking forward to getting to Assen so quickly after Donington so we can keep working towards the kind of result I think we deserve. Donington went well at first. We were fast in the wet and in the dry and I was quite confident, but it didn’t work out for us in the race with the weather, tyres and track conditions. I hope we have dry conditions this weekend but it’s not unknown to have rain at Assen too! The layout of the new shorter circuit is not my favourite, but we come here with the experience from last year so I hope to get to a good pace quickly because it took me some time to work up to speed last year.” Marco Melandri said: “Last year was a really tough race for me. It was only a short time after that horrible crash in Barcelona and I was still suffering. This time the situation is completely different but we are also going through something of a difficult period. The whole squad are working really hard but we still have a lot to do. The Dutch TT has always been one of my favourite races. Unfortunately it has lost some of its magic since they changed the track because they removed the most flowing section of the old layout.” His team-mate Elias said: “Assen has always been my favourite circuit because it’s technical, fast and flowing. Unfortunately I have never actually raced here in MotoGP and don’t really know the new layout too well because I only completed two laps in free practice last year when I crashed and hurt myself. I missed out completely in 2005 because I broke my hand at Le Mans so it will be virtually a new circuit to me. Hopefully I can have a nice race and pick up a better result than the last couple of races.” “I think I’m probably one of the few riders who actually prefers the ‘new’ Assen circuit to the old one,” said Shinya Nakano. “I’m sure it has something to do with qualifying well in second position last year and then taking second place in the race! Obviously this will be the first time I’m riding at Assen with the new 800cc Honda MotoGP bike and the first time on Michelin tyres, but I think the track itself now really suits my style, so I’m hoping that we can get a good result. We think the weather conditions will be similar to Donington, so we shouldn’t have too many surprises.” Checa said: “This circuit is not so bad. The surface is better in the wet than Donington is when it’s dry. The most important thing is to work on the set-up because we had problems in the wet at Donington and it could be the same here. But the bike is good in the dry. I still have to find the limit in the wet and Assen has good grip.” Kurtis Roberts said: “We should be OK at Assen. I learned a lot about the bike in the wet at Donington. Whatever the weather we just hope it stays the same all weekend. If it does I can ride consistently for the team because I’m getting a good feel for the bike and what I need it to do. I raced a Superbike here last year so I know the new track lay-out.” In the 250cc class Andrea Dovizioso (Scot Honda RS250RW) hopes to put more pressure on series points leader Jorge Lorenzo (Aprilia) who fell last weekend while Dovi won. The two leaders in this class, Lorenzo and Dovi, are now only separated by 11 points while Alex de Angelis (Aprilia) lies only seven points behind Dovizioso. Assen will prove a pivotal race in the fight for the title. These three riders finished on the podium last year, the order was Lorenzo, de Angelis, Dovizioso. If Honda’s rising Italian star could reverse that order on Saturday, he would lead the World Championship at the halfway stage. Julian Simon (Repsol Honda RS25RW) raced to a fine seventh place at the British GP after falling and remounting his RS250RW but goes into the Assen race with no experience of the new track lay-out. Dovi said: “Assen is a particular track and it’s never been easy racing here. Moreover the track has been modified and so we haven’t so many references at the moment. We’ll have to work a lot this weekend, but we’re confident and motivated by the beautiful win at Donington that we’ll hope to repeat here.” His team-mate Yuki Takahashi (Scot Honda RS250RW) said: “This track, like Donington, has never been a favourite of mine, but last year I made a good recovery in the race after running off track and this I think is due to my maturing as a rider. Now I’m able to modify my riding style if it’s necessary. Now after the good result (4th) last weekend I want to be a winner again.” Simon said: “In Assen, just like in England, it will be important to consider the weather conditions. Let’s hope that we won’t have a race like last Sunday because it felt as if it would last forever. I don’t know the new Assen layout since I didn’t race there last year because of my leg injury. I think that it will also adapt to the features of my bike because it’s got nothing to do with the old layout; it is much shorter now. Let’s hope to be able to do a good job. I’m sure that the team will help me a lot to do so and hopefully we’ll have a good race.” Rising rookie Ratthapark Wilairot (Stop And Go Racing Honda RS250RW) said: “On Sunday everything went fine despite the tricky conditions and the result (8th) was a great reward for the team’s hard work, but in Assen we’ll start from scratch again, on a track that could prove more complicated than Donington Park. From what I saw on video, Assen is a very technical track and there’s no room for mistakes. I hope I get used to it quickly so I can make the most of my Honda.” Another capable rookie Eugene Laverty (LCR Honda RS250RW) said: “I’m still annoyed about the Donington crash because I was just getting into a good rhythm when I went down. I just have to put that all behind me and now concentrate on Assen with those fast flowing bends.” In the 125cc class Bradley Smith (Repsol Honda RS125R) will be hoping for better than the seventh place he scored at his ‘home’ round last weekend. The young British rider scored a podium finish in France and another here is by no means beyond the talented youngster. Smith said: “I think we just all hope the rain doesn’t follow us to Holland after all the problems at Donington. I was pleased to score good points and I’m confident of some more at Assen. The flowing track should suit the Repsol Honda and I enjoyed my debut here last year.” Mike di Meglio (Scot Honda RS125R) needs a run of consistent results after a patchy start to the season and the talented French rider is confident he can achieve things here. He said: “Assen is a track I like a lot, after the good result in Donington (6th) I want a repeat here. I’m ready and we have good possibilities here. In practice or in the race I don’t have to follow other riders anymore to stay on the pace. In this way I can get a positive result, like at Donington.”