Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

600cc Supersport
1. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:40.142
2. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:40.676
3. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha, 1:40.704
4. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:41.367
5. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:41.379
6. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:41.530
7. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, 1:41.538
8. Alex Gobert, Honda, 1:42.117
9. Robert Jensen, Yamaha, 1:42.141
10. Marty Craggill, Honda, 1:42.286
11. Jamie Stauffer, Suzuki, 1:42.517
12. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:42.588
13. Craig Connell, Honda, 1:42.867
14. Chris Peris, Honda, 1:43.661
15. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, 1:43.721
16. Jason Curtis, Honda, 1:44.031
17. Chris Rankin, Honda, 1:44.110
18. Larry Pegram, Honda, 1:44.282
19. Gary Carter, Yamaha, 1:46.032
20. Jason Hobbs, Yamaha, 1:46.203


Formula Xtreme
1. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:37.176
2. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:37.748
3. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, 1:37.834
4. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki, 1:37.911
5. Marty Craggill, Honda, 1:38.011
6. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha, 1:38.349
7. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:38.350
8. Josh Hayes, Suzuki, 1:38.612
9. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, 1:38.690
10. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:39.779
11. Jason Curtis, Honda, 1:40.981
12. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki, 1:41.152
13. Craig Connell, Honda, 1:41.205
14. Mark Vandal, Yamaha, 1:43.711
15. Hawk Mazzotta, Suzuki, 1:44.415
16. Jeff Bostrom, Suzuki, 1:44.703
17. Jason Knupp, Suzuki, 1:45.555
18. Jason Peters, Suzuki, 1:46.059
19. David Guy, Suzuki, 1:46.251
20. Kevin Hanson, Suzuki, 1:46.256



750cc Superstock
1. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, 1:39.751
2. Josh Hayes, Suzuki, 1:40.102
3. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki, 1:41.106
4. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:41.154
5. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, 1:41.277
6. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki, 1:41.368
7. Robert Jensen, Suzuki, 1:41.478
8. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki, 1:41.597
9. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:41.838
10. Jamie Stauffer, Suzuki, 1:41.931
11. Alex Gobert, Honda, 1:42.033
12. Roger Hayden, Honda, 1:42.175
13. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, 1:42.299
14. Larry Pegram, Honda, 1:42.927
15. Brian Stokes, Suzuki, 1:42.965
16. JJ Roetlin, Suzuki, 1:42.999
17. Steve Atlas, Suzuki, 1:43.085
18. John Dugan, Suzuki, 1:43.142
19. Matt Furtek, Suzuki, 1:43.519
20. Hawk Mazzotta, Suzuki, 1:43.574


250cc Grand Prix

1. Rich Oliver, Yamaha, 1:41.381
2. Chuck Sorensen, Aprilia, 1:42.511
3. SImon Turner, Honda, 1:43.621
4. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha, 1:45.058
5. Chris Pyles, Honda, 1:46.894
6. Ed Sorbo, Yamaha, 1:47.251
7. Greg Esser, Honda, 1:49.285
8. John France, Honda, 1:50.039
9. Barrett Long, Yamaha, 1:50.140
10. Mark Stiles, Yamaha, 1:50.399
11. Ed Marchini, Yamaha, 1:50.477
12. Steve Scott, Yamaha, 1:50.509
13. Sean Wray, Yamaha, 1:51.029
14. Glen Christianson, Yamha, 1:51.615
15. Shawn Murray, Honda, 1:51.699
16. Sandy Noce, Yamaha, 1:51.739
17. Stephen Bowline, Honda, 1:52.484
18. Jim Bonner, Yamaha, 1:53.089
19. Jeff Japs, Yamaha, 1:53.120
20. Sohn Wehseler, Yamaha, 1:54.274

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

According to official Friday-morning Superstock practice times released by AMA Timing & Scoring at BIR, James Kerker was 5th fastest on his Honda CBR600, at 1:41.129.

Kerker’s second-fastest time was shown as a 1:49.071.

Asked about the time, an AMA Pro Racing spokesperson checked with AMA Timing & Scoring and said that the time was official.

Kerker’s time had not shown up on the timing & scoring monitors during the session, but was inserted in printed results issued well after the session ended.

250cc GP practice times had not been issued by AMA Timing & Scoring about two hours after the session ended.

The problems may stem from uncharged transponders being issued to riders at tech. The dead transponders did not communicate with the timing and scoring system, and AMA Pro Officials said they reverted to an optical beam back-up system, with some obvious problems.

One of the riders affected by a dead transponder was Mike Ciccotto, who was finally declared 12th fastest in Superstock practice, at 1:42.584.

AMA Timing & Scoring blamed AMA Tech for issuing the dead transponders.

It is not clear to Roadracing World reporters exactly who is responsible for ensuring that AMA Timing & Scoring transponders are functioning when they are issued to riders at tech.


UPDATE: Friday afternoon, AMA Timing & Scoring issued a new, revised set of results from the morning Superstock session, with Kerker listed as 35th fastest, with a best time of 1:49.071.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

600cc Supersport
1. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:41.005
2. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha, 1:41.143
3. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:41.890
4. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:41.932
5. Damon Buckmaster, 1:42.090
6. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:42.785
7. Rob Jensen, Yamaha, 1:42.842
8. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, 1:43.119
9. Craig Connell, Honda, 1:43.289
10. Alex Gobert, Honda, 1:43.702
11. Marty Craggill, Honda, 1:43.747
12. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:43.961
13. Chris Rankin, Honda, 1:44.101
14. Jamie Stauffer, Suzuki, 1:44.626
15. Jason Curtis, Honda, 1:44.840

Formula Xtreme
1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki, 1:37.185
2. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:37.918
3. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha, 1:37.976
4. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:38.061
5. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:38.68
6. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:38.266
7. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, 1:38.285
8. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, 1:38.813
9. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki, 1:38.894
10. Marty Craggill, Honda, 1:38.975
11. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:39.652
12. Craig Connell, Honda, 1:40.357
13. Jason Curtis, Honda, 1:41.265
14. Josh Hayes, Suzuki, 1:43.034
15. Mark Vendal, Yamaha, 1:45.028

750cc Superstock
1. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, 1:39.895
2. Josh Hayes, Suzuki, 1:40.466
3. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:40.624
4. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki, 1:40.841
5. Opie Caylor, Suzuki, 1:41.345
6. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:41.393
7. Rob Jensen, Suzuki, 1:41.534
8. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, 1:41.538
9. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki, 1:41.623
10. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki, 1:42.182
11. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki, 1:42.584
12. Alex Gobert, Honda, 1:42.61913. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, 1:42.679
14. John Dugan, Suzuki, 1:42.882
15. Jamie Stauffer, Suzuki, 1:43.043
16. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:43.250
17. Larry Pegram, Honda, 1:43.537
18. Jason Curtis, Honda, 1:43.604
19. Steve Atlas, Suzuki, 1:43.778
20. JJ Roetlin, Suzuki, 1:43.941




250cc GP
1. Rich Oliver, Yamaha, 1:41.826
2. Chuck Sorensen, Aprilia, 1:43.879
3. Simon Turner, Honda, 1:45.210
4. Colin Jensen, Aprilia, 1:45.212
5. Ed Sorbo, Yamaha, 1:47.239
6. Chris Pyles, Honda, 1:49.271
7. Greg Esser, Honda, 1:49.602
8. Barrett Long, Yamaha, 1:49.841
9. John France, Honda, 1:49.927
10. G. Christianson, Yamaha, 1:50.585
11. Sean Wray, Yamaha, 1:51.165
12. Steve Scott, Yamaha, 1:51.623
13. J. Japs, 1:52.794
14. Sean McNew, Honda, 1:52.813
15. Sandy Noce, Yamaha, 1:53.886


Superbike
1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki, 1:36.356
2. Kurtis Roberts, Honda, 1:37.134
3. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:37.383
4. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:37.520
5. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:37.897
6. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, 1:38.161
7. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, 1:38.482
9. Ben Bostrom, Honda, 1:38.519
9. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki, 1:40.119
10. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki, 1:40.134
11. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati, 1:40.147
12. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:40.204
13. Josh Hayes, Suzuki, 1:40.636
14. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki, 1:40.915
15. Robert Jensen, Suzuki, 1:40.935

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

STAR-STUDDED FIELD SET TO PARTICIPATE IN INAUGURAL AMA RED BULL SUPERMOTO CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND

Dunlop Supermoto Classic at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

PICKERINGTON, Ohio – The opening round of the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship will be a who’s who of motorcycle racers as a number of top riders including past and current champions have entered to participate. Riders from virtually all racing disciplines are represented and debate among fans centers around who will take the first checkered flag, July 11-13 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for the Dunlop Supermoto Classic. Perhaps the most notable name scheduled to race is Jeremy McGrath. McGrath, who is racing less than a year after he announced his retirement from AMA Supercross, is entered as part of the powerhouse Troy Lee Designs team. Riding along side McGrath will be legendary motocross/supercross star and Indy Racing League driver Jeff Ward as well as Troy Lee himself. Interestingly, McGrath will be making his AMA Supermoto debut aboard a Honda CRF450 having ended his relationship with KTM.

Former 500cc World Grand Prix champ Kevin Schwantz is recovering from a broken hand yet is planning on racing at Mazda Raceway aboard his Suzuki DR-Z400. The renowned Texan is always a fan favorite and his feet-up, hang it out sliding style will be popular with the crowd just as it was when he competed on the world stage. Schwantz has been racing local and regional supermoto events for the past couple of years and is a solid pick to capture the championship.

Another rider who will be piloting a powerful Honda four-stroke is the “Godfather of Freestyle”, Mike Metzger. Metzger, who has established himself in the wild and wooly world of freestyle motocross, claims to be focusing his energies on an AMA Supermoto title. Receiving support from Honda, his commitment is obviously genuine. The innovative Metzger is sure to be one of the riders to watch.

Suzuki’s Travis Pastrana has entered but his presence at round one is questionable due to recent injuries. The popular supercross/motocross/freestyle star has announced that he’s walking away from the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship for awhile but plans to contest the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship. Travis’ presence will certainly add a lot to the series as he’s one of the most personable and well-liked racers ever.

Other notable riders entered at round one include former AMA Motocross champions Danny LaPorte and Micky Dymond, 1990 Daytona 200 winner and current motorsports broadcaster Dave Sadowski, and past AMA Superbike champions Doug Chandler and Thomas Stevens.

The flat track fraternity will be well represented by former champion Joe Kopp as well as reigning champion, Chris Carr. Carr, the four-time AMA Grand National Champion, announced his involvement with the series at Daytona when the championship was announced. Carr is the current points leader in the AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championship and is looking to be only the second rider in history to capture five Grand National titles. He would love to add the inaugural AMA Supermoto Championship to his resume and some experts feel dirt trackers will have an advantage in supermoto due to their comfort with sliding the bike at high speeds.

Some feel that motocrossers are best suited because of their ability in the dirt while yet others insist it will be a road racer that prevails because of the demanding, high-speed pavement sections of the track. One thing that is known for sure is that the racing will be tight. AMA Pro Racing’s Associate Director of Commercial Development, Chris Bradley says everything is being done to achieve a level playing field. “Our track design criteria, is to create a ‘discipline-neutral’ racetrack. To keep things as equal as possible the courses will feature at least one significant jump combined with high-speed pavement sections,” said Bradley. “Course designer Don Canet has a great deal of experience in building supermoto tracks and the Laguna Seca course will result in exciting, bar-to-bar racing. It’ll be the perfect way to launch the series.”

Bradley encouraged both fans and participants to visit www.amaproracing.com for the latest information. “As we approach the first event things are happening very quickly so the best way to keep up with the latest information is by visiting our website,” says Bradley. “We will continually post significant news and updates as they become available.”

More, from another press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

PRE-ENTRY PERIOD EXTENDED FOR AMA RED BULL SUPERMOTO CHAMPIONSHIP OPENING ROUND

PICKERINGTON, Ohio – Due to overwhelming response, AMA Pro Racing will no longer accept post-entries for the July 11-13 Dunlop Supermoto Classic, the inaugural event of the 2003 AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship. However, to accommodate riders who AMA Pro Racing knows are planning on attending, the event’s pre-entry deadline has been extended. All pre-entry paperwork must be received at AMA Pro Racing’s Pickerington, Ohio headquarters by Monday, June 30.

Pre-entry forms as well as the required License Application and Team Participation Agreement are available online at www.amamproracing.com. In order to expedite the entry process, all forms (except riders applying for their first AMA Pro License), can be submitted via fax to (614) 856-1924.

“We are extremely excited to debut AMA Supermoto to such a large audience of race fans,” said AMA Pro Racing Associate Director of Commercial Development Chris Bradley. “With Laguna Seca being an action-packed schedule, we needed to cap the number of entries to ensure the quality of the race program remains at the level we’re accustomed to delivering.”

About AMA Pro Racing

AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its properties include the AMA Supercross Championship, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship, AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championship and the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship. Nearly 2 million race fans attended AMA Pro Racing events during the 2002 season. For more information about AMA Pro Racing, visit www.amaproracing.com

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Superstock Champion Jimmy Moore was flown from a local hospital in Brainerd, Minnesota to Minneapolis to undergo surgery Thursday evening.

Moore crashed in turn one at Brainerd International Raceway Thursday afternoon and his injuries included a ruptured spleen, compound fracture of a humerus (or upper arm), broken ribs and possibly a cracked hip joint.

Initial reports saying Moore had not suffered serious injury were obviously optimistic.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Thursday 250cc Qualifying Results:

1. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 2:04.866
2. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 2:05.049
3. Manuel Poggiali, Aprilia, 2:05.106
4. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 2:05.787
5. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, 2:05.922
6. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 2:06.167
7. Sebastian Porto, Honda, 2:06.309
8. Anthony West, Aprilia, 2:06.594
9. Sylvain Guintoli, Aprilia, 2:06.671
10. Erwan Nigon, Aprilia, 2:07.089
11. Klaus Nohles, Aprilia, 2:07.501
12. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, 2:07.607
13. Eric Battaille, Honda, 2:07.677
14. Joan Olive, Aprilia, 2:07.754
15. Jakub Smrz, Honda, 2:08.156


More, from a press release issued by MS Aprilia Team Press Information:

A SATISFACTORY DAY

After the unlucky Catalunya GP, Manuel Poggiali and his Aprilia are back on track for the Assen GP, seventh race of the championship. This track is 6027 metres long and it’s very challenging. Moreover the weather conditions are unsettled but the first qualifying session was dry anyway and Poggiali got the third fastest lap time.

Manuel Poggiali: “Quite good today. At the end there was to much traffic and I was unable to improve. Anyway we found the right setting and this means a good advantage for me thus tomorrow I will define some details and the choice of the tyres. This track is almost difficult and it’s more exacting on 250. I mean. it’s not the power as I can easily control it but the weight is higher than the 125. On this bike there’s no time to breathe there are a lot of corners to manage and I can not loose the concentration”.

From a press release issued by Proforma:

LEE ACREE TO DEBUT ON ERA YAMAHAS IN FORMULA USA EVENT AT VIRGINIA

Lee Acree will race his 2003 ERA Yamaha R6s for the first time this weekend, June 27-29, in round four of the Formula USA National Championship Series at Virginia International Raceway. Acree will campaign the new Yamahas for the rest of the 2003 season, competing in AMA Pro, WERA, and Formula USA/CCS events.

“I’m looking forward to the second half of 2003,” said Acree. “I had strong finishes earlier in the year, particularly at Daytona and Sears Point, so I want to carry that momentum into the rest of this year on the Yamahas. My sponsors have really come through for me, and I’m looking forward to racing the new R6s, which have been the bike to beat since they came out. It doesn’t hurt that they have a really strong contingency program as well.”

Lee Acree and ERA Yamaha are proud to be sponsored by Triad Powersport, Pirelli, Graves Motorsports, Sidi, Arai, Joe Rocket, Kneedraggers.com, Dynojet, Ohlins USA, Tapeworks and Vesrah.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Thursday Morning MotoGP Practice Times:

1. Valentino Rossi, Honda, 2:01.404
2. Max Biaggi, Honda, 2:02.095
3. Colin Edwards, Aprilia, 2:02.340
4. Loris Capirossi, Ducati, 2:02.592
5. Troy Bayliss, Ducati, 2:02.727
6. Alex Barros, Yamaha, 2:03.009
7. Carlos Checa, Yamaha, 2:03.092
8. Sete Gibernau, Honda, 2:03.452
9. Tohru Ukawa, Honda, 2:03.483
10. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia, 2:03.800
11. Marco Melandri, Yamaha, 2:03.881
12. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha, 2:03.942
13. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha, 2:04.410
14. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 2:04.482
15. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 2:04.645
16. Alex Hofmann, Kawasaki, 2:04.689
17. Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki, 2:05.010
18. Andrew Pitt, Kawasaki, 2:05.511
19. Makoto Tamada, Honda, 2:05.853
20. Garry McCoy, Kawasaki, 2:06.786
21. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton, 2:07.207
22. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton, 2:08.350
23. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, 2:08.350

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Thursday 125cc Grand Prix Practice Qualifying Times:



125cc Grand Prix:

1. Alex De Angelis, Aprilia, 2:11.398
2. Casey Stoner, Aprilia, 2:11.632
3. Youichi Ui, Aprilia, 2:11.700
4. Hector Barbera, Aprilia, 2:11.741
5. Jorge Lorenzo, Derbi, 2:11.903
6. Mika Kallio, Honda, 2:11.957
7. Steve Jenkner, Aprilia, 2:12.134
8. Gino Borsoi, Aprilia, 2:12.203
9. Marco Simoncelli, Aprilia, 2:12.267
10. Andrea Dovizioso, Honda, 2:12.398


More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing Information:

Dani Pedrosa Chasing Assen Double

Spanish teenager Daniel Pedrosa arrives at Assen for thee Dutch Grand Prix determined to repeat his stunning performance of 2002 when he scored his maiden GP victory. The 17-year old from Sabadell, close to the Catalunya race circuit, is the leading light among the new breed of 125cc riders that are forging names for them selves in the championship.

Racing alongside Pedrosa at Assen will be Thomas Luthi, Casey Stoner, Alex de Angelis, Jorge Lorenzo, and Hector Barbera, all teenagers and all very fast. Seasoned campaigners Lucio Cecchinello, Youichi Ui, Steve Jenkner and Stefano Perugini, all regular podium finishers, have been forced to up their pace by the influx of ebullient young chargers.

Pedrosa is a graduate of the MoviStar Honda Activa Joven Cup series, the inspirational brainchild of former GP rider Alberto Puig, now team manager of Pedrosa’s Telefonica MoviStar Honda Jnr Team, to unearth raw young talent. Toni Elias, Joan Olive and Pedrosa graduated from the first intake of ‘Students.

Elias now has five GP wins to his credit and holds second place in the 250cc championship, while Olive is beginning to find his feet in the same category, scoring points at all but one race this season.

The precocious young Spaniard has the looks of a choirboy and the heart of a Lion. He made his grand prix debut at 15-years of age and displayed quiet confidence from day one, albeit on occasions a little over enthusiastic. In his debut season his hard charging style delivered 11 points scoring rides and eighth in the championship.

Pedrosa moved up a gear in 2002, he was faster, smoother and more calculating than in his debut season. His fast developing race craft carried him to three victories and six other podium places and the reward of a third place finish in the championship.

Racing at Assen has an additional positive factor for Pedrosa. Catalunya apart, he feels more at home at the 6,027km Drenthe circuit than any other on the calendar as his Mother was educated in The Netherlands.

“My first thought about Assen? It’s a nice track, one of my favourite circuits. For me Assen is really special because I won my first GP there (in 2002). But not only that, my Mother was at school in the Netherlands, she has many friends there, I now know many of them and they always make me feel comfortable when I’m in Holland.”

Still just 17-years old Pedrosa has a very wise head on his young shoulders. His race skills and tactical awareness have become more than apparent this season.

He rarely makes the same mistake twice, Mugello this year a perfect example. At Jerez Pedrosa was in the lead group of five racing for the win but with three laps to go he was badly blocked-passed by Perugini who was ready to accept fourth place. The two men lost touch with the leading trio who went on to claim the podium places. Pedrosa was furious with his rival robbing him of potentially vital championship points and vowed he would not allow it to happen again.

At Mugello Pedrosa transferred his thoughts to deeds, making certain he was perfectly positioned at all times during the seven-man battle for the win. He kept a watching brief at the back of the group, until halfway round the penultimate when he began his attack scything through his rivals to pass all but Cecchinelo at the flag.

The expected huge crowd at Assen can look forward to watching Pedrosa at his best. He feels the circuit is a second home. The track, the atmosphere and having close friends at hand all come together to breed confidence and he races as if on home ground.

“I love the atmosphere on Friday and race day that’s really impressive. I have never been to the ‘Night of Assen’ but I heard that is something special. I was too young to go into town on Friday night then race the next morning, I was just 15 years old on my first visit!” Said Pedrosa. “We arrive in Holland, go to the hotel then the track to work. Our Dutch friends come to meet us there. The 125cc race is always the first of the day so I have to get to bed early the night before.”

“The track itself is so grippy, 75% of the circuit asphalt has good grip in both wet and dry. There is not so much braking at Assen, only one really hard braking point, and with the corners flowing together so well it’s a great track to race on. There is only one negative point about Assen – the weather is unpredictable. Sometimes it rains and spoils the racing.” Commented the young Spaniard.

“To race at Assen you need a machine with good power and good stability and the rider has to have a good head! If you have somebody in front of you it’s one thing, but if you are alone you have to concentrate at 100% maximum to go fast. It’s that kind of track.” He said. “To win at Assen is very special.”

“The Honda been very good at most races this year but sometimes we have been off the pace a little. At the moment it’s a little difficult but we have made progress and at Montmelo I could run as fast as anybody could. I hope the bike is good for Assen, I just love racing there.” Concluded Pedrosa.

There is no doubt that the youngster is totally dedicated to racing career, he is one of the most focused riders in the paddock. Pedrosa exudes a steely ‘Cool Dude’ persona while working at his racing but off the bike he is a well balanced laid back teenager who spends his free time ‘Hanging out’ with his close friends in his hometown.

Pedrosa goes into Saturdays race holding a 25-point in the 125cc World Championship and current form and his love of the circuit suggest he will leave Assen with an additional points cushion over his rivals.


More, from a press release issued by KTM:

Revised KTM-Red Bull bike for Arnaud Vincent at Dutch TT

Fine and sunny conditions welcomed riders to the six kilometre Assen road course for first qualifying for the Dutch TT, the classic event on the European GP calendar. In a highly competitive session KTM-Red Bull riders Arnaud Vincent and and Roberto Locatelli qualified 16th and 27th respectively.

For this GP Vincent is using a new frame with the changes including a revised fuel tank, seat and handlebar position. Following last week’s test at Barcelona new cylinder heads and reed valves have also been fitted for Assen. Locatelli is continuing with the same bike he has used in recent races with the latest chassis update only available to Vincent.


# 1 Arnaud Vincent
16th/2:13.168

I have to adapt to the new riding position with the new frame and that cost me some time today. There is more weight on the front end which is giving a different feeling but I’m sure we can make the bike more comfortable for the race. I think I could have gone faster on my final lap except I was behind Casey Stoner, perhaps in the top ten.


#10 Roberto Locatelli
27th /2:14.621

At the moment Arnaud is a step in front of me so it’s OK that he gets first use of the new frame. I started with my Barcelona settings here but the balance of the bike wasn’t so good, there was not a good feeling on corner entry so we need to change the geometry for final qualifying and the race.


Harald Bartol
Team Manager

At the Barcelona test we worked on chassis and engine settings but unfortunately one day is not enough to check all the options. The problem at Assen is that this track is very different from Barcelona and the set-up is completely changed with all the banked corners. We are still down on top speed and that is something we have to fix and perhaps that will come for Donington.