Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

World Superbike Race One Results:

1. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, 16 laps, 33:07.249
2. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03
3. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS
4. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02
5. Chris Walker, Ducati 998F02
6. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1
7. Leon Haslam, Ducati 998RS
8. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR
9. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS
10. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR
11. Alex Gramigni, Yamaha YZF-R1
12. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS
13. Horst Saiger, Yamaha YZF-R1
14. Gianmaria Liverani, Yamaha YZF-R1
15. Jiri Mrkyvka, Ducati 998RS
16. Robert Menzen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
17. Paul Mooijman, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
18. Luca Pedersoli, Ducati 998RS, -7 laps, DNF
19. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, -8 laps
20. Regis Laconi, Ducati 998RS, -8 laps
21. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -12 laps, DNF
22. John Reynolds, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -13 laps, DNF

Fastest Lap: Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:03.081


More, from a press release issued by HM Plant Ducati:

Hard fought fourth for Toseland

Today’s first Superbike World Championship race at Assen went according to plan for Fila Ducati’s Neil Hodgson, whose second place netted him the 2003 Superbike World Championship title. HM Plant Ducati’s James Toseland rode superbly to finish in fourth place, while his team mate Chris Walker, whose participation in today’s races was in doubt due to a heavy crash in yesterday’s practice session, finished a creditable fifth place.

Despite a flying start from the second row of the grid straight up to second place behind Neil Hodgson, Walker soon dropped back as Lavilla, Xaus and Chili forced their way through. However, the Nottingham rider soon composed himself and tagged behind the leading pack of riders while his team mate, James Toseland was closing fast behind, lapping consistently faster than the leading riders.

As the fitter of the two riders (due to Walker’s injury) Toseland found a way past his team mate just before half race distance and began to hunt down Frankie Chili and move into the top three. He did this with just three laps to go and managed to run with the pace of the two factory Ducati riders in front of him until the very last lap, when Chili forced his way through and secured the remaining podium slot.

“I made a terrible start to the race,” said Toseland, “but managed to ride well once I got going. My race set-up was perfect and I was able to run consistently fast laps. I was riding tactically for third place and when Frankie Chili got past me fair and square, I still thought I had a lap to go, but it wasn’t the case and I had to settle for fourth place. I’m looking forward to the next race though – all I need to do is get a good start and I should be on for a podium finish.”

Chris Walker’s fifth place finish is all the more impressive considering the beating he took during yesterday’s practice crash: “I made an absolutely brilliant start to slot in right behind Neil and the adrenaline kept me going during the early laps. However, when the pace was upped, I just couldn’t go with it. I saw Lavilla and Laconi go out and knew that I had to think about improving my championship position, so I didn’t take any unnecessary risks. I’ll have a good rest before race two and then try the best I can. I’ve got the HM Plant Ducati working well – the rest is up to me.”


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

Corser an excellent sixth for Foggy PETRONAS Racing at Assen

Troy Corser finished the first race of round ten of the World Superbike championship in an excellent sixth place after a thrilling final lap at Assen.

With Foggy PETRONAS Racing team-mate James Haydon ruled out with a hand injury sustained in yesterday’s crash, Troy was in eighth place going into the final lap of the opening race, won by Ruben Xaus and in which Neil Hodgson clinched the world championship.

But he overtook Kawasaki rider Ivan Clementi at turn one and then disposed of wild card Leon Haslam at the second chicane to clinch his best finish on the FP1 – the Malaysian superbike – since the second round in Australia.

Troy said: “That’s what I thought we were capable of going into this round so I am happy for myself and glad to give the whole team a lift. I knew I had a big gap behind me and that I didn’t have to push too early. So I sat there in eighth and saved the tyres a little bit. With two laps to go I upped the pace and, when Clementi missed a gear in the final chicane of the penultimate lap I was able to out-draught him down the straight and take him going into turn one. Then I got right on the back of Leon and, coming out of the hairpin, I knew I was quicker than him through the second chicane.

“The bike ran consistently thoughout the race and the temperature stayed consistent. My Michelin tyres were also good, sliding a little but, again, consistently. I won’t want to change anything with the chassis for race two.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

250cc Grand Prix Results:

1. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 26 laps, 44:37.770
2. Manuel Poggiali, Aprilia, -4.731 seconds
3. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, -5.987 seconds
4. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, -6.470 seconds
5. Sebastian Porto, Honda, -25.023 seconds, crash
6. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, -25.273 seconds
7. Sylvain Guintoli, Aprilia, -27.791 seconds
8. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, -27.913 seconds
9. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, -43.047 seconds
10. Anthony West, Aprilia, -43.112 seconds
11. Alex Debon, Honda, -44.796 seconds
12. Eric Bataille, Honda, -70.765 seconds
13. Hector Faubel, Aprilia, -71.702 seconds
14. Alex Baldolini, Aprilia, -71.714 seconds
15. Christian Gemmel, Honda, -73.983 seconds
16. Erwan Nigon, Aprilia, -79.238 seconds

24. Hugo Marchand, Aprilia, -16 laps, DNF, crash
25. Joan Olive, Aprilia, -21 laps, DNF, crash
26. Jakub Smrz, Honda, -21 laps, DNF, crash

28. Katja Poensgen, Honda, -26 laps, DNF, crash

Johan Stigefelt, Aprilia, DNS


More, from a press release issued by Fortuna Honda:

Porto’s crash keeps Rolfo from podium finish

Estoril – Portugal, September 7: Roberto Rolfo was prevented from stepping onto the podium at the 250cc Portuguese GP when he became the innocent victim of rival Sebastian Porto’s last lap crash. The machine was damaged but it didn’t prevent Rolfo from taking something out of the Portuguese race.

The Fortuna Honda rider made a good start and was in the leading group throughout. It was only when Toni Elias came passed and changed the rhythm of the race that Rolfo began to control the situation to ensure he took second place at the finish.

Within the race situation Rolfo was satisfied with the way the race was unfolding because the bike was working perfectly, only his bad luck on the last lap kept him from taking the result his riding had forged in the race.

“The race was very sad for me because I was convinced that I could pass Poggiali on the last lap. I knew I was faster than him at the chicane complex. But when Porto hit the rear fairing of my machine I did just enough to avoid crashing myself.” Explained the rider from Altadis.

“All weekend the development work we did went like clock work and that made me confident for the race. I made a good start and was with the leading group, I had the situation well under control but the incident prevented me from attacking and overtaking Poggiali and finish second. It was sad because I really like this track a lot and I knew the podium was certain.” Added the Fortuna Honda rider.

“The bike was in optimum condition and it was only a question of time before I took second place. But sometimes these things happen in racing and today it was my turn. Anyway I’m happy with the way we have worked here and I have high hopes for the remaining races. We let a few points slip away today.” Concluded Rolfo.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

World Superbike Race Two Results:

1. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03, 16 laps, 32:57.759
2. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, 0.466 second
3. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 7.799 seconds
4. Regis Laconi, Ducati 998RS
5. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS
6. Leon Haslam, Ducati 998RS
7. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR
8. Chris Walker, Ducati 998F02
9. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1
10. John Reynolds, Suzuki GSX-R1000
11. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS
12. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR
13. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS
14. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS
15. Alex Gramigni, Yamaha YZF-R1
16. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS
17. Stefan Nebel, Suzuki GSX-R1000
18. Robert Menzen, Suzuki GSX-R1000
19. Gianmaria Liverani, Yamaha YZF-R1
20. Karl Truchsess, Yamaha YZF-R1

22. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02, -2 laps, DNF
23. Luca Pedersoli, Ducati 998RS, -2 laps, DNF

Fastest Lap: Neil Hodgson, Ducati, 2:02.649


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

SUPERB SIXTH FOR TROY!

Troy took a superb sixth place in the first Superbike race at Assen today and followed it up with ninth in the second 16-lapper. Troy and the Foggy Petronas FP1 team were understandably pleased with their result in race one and also with consistency of their new engine. Towards the end of the first race, Troy felt that the bike was losing power, but a post-race check revealed nothing, so Troy used the same bike in race two. But almost from the start of that race, the bike didn’t perform as well as it had done in the first race and Troy couldn’t push as hard. In the end, Troy rode as hard as he could and brought the bike home in ninth. Race one was won by Spaniard Ruben Xaus with Hodgson’s second place (and 20 points) in enough for him to clinch the title. Third went Frankie Chili (Ducati), ahead of James Toseland (Ducati), Chris Walker (Ducati) and then Troy. The second race featured a tremendous three-way battle between Xaus, Hodgson and Gregorio Lavilla (Suzuki). When Lavilla’s tyres faded at the three-quarter distance, Xaus and Hodgson went at it hammer and tongs to the flag. When Xaus made the smallest of errors, Hodgson took his chance and ran out the winner by six tenths of a second. Lavilla took third, with Laconi (Ducati) fourth, Chili (Ducati) fifth and Leon Haslam (Ducati) sixth.

TROY Race 1: 6th, Race 2: 9th
That was probably one of our better weekends of the year and I was happy because the bike ran more consistently then it has done all season. The new engine mods are an improvement and the water temperature stayed constant. After Clementi and Haslam got past, I relaxed a bit and I think that helped me ride the bike better. I then sized them up and was able to pass them to take sixth. Towards the end, I felt that bike wasn’t at 100% and asked my team to check it, but they said all was OK, so we used the same bike But it didn’t work as well and in the end, I just rode round as hard as I could and grabbed as many points as possible.


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

Corser shows Foggy PETRONAS Racing progress at Assen

Carl Fogarty heaped praise on his Foggy PETRONAS Racing team following a weekend of sustained progress at round ten of the World Superbike championship at Assen, The Netherlands.

Four times World Superbike champion Foggy saw Australian rider Troy Corser clinch a thrilling sixth place in the first race and follow that up with ninth place in race two, won by new world champion Neil Hodgson. Troy’s team-mate James Haydon was declared unfit after suffering a hand injury in a qualifying crash.

Carl said: “It is nice to get a result like that at Assen, where there are so many British fans and which was always a special place for me as a racer. Troy’s top six was probably better than we could have hoped for at this stage of the project. He rode a great race and the fact that his bike was more consistent, and running cooler, shows that there is a lot more to come next year. Today was great for the team who have worked hard all year and never complain.

“I am pleased for Neil Hodgson. I know what it’s like to win a world title here, which is like a home from home. He will just feel relieved at the moment as he has been under pressure all year because he was expected to win. He can now enjoy the last few races, although I don’t think the fact that you are a world champion ever sinks in.”

Troy said: “This weekend has given everyone a lift and shows that we are making progress. The sixth place in the first race was what I thought we were capable of going into this round. I knew I had a big gap behind me and that I didn’t have to push too early. So I sat there in eighth and saved the tyres a little bit. With two laps to go I upped the pace and, when Clementi missed a gear in the final chicane of the penultimate lap I was able to out-draught him down the straight and take him going into turn one. Then I got right on the back of Leon and, coming out of the hairpin, I knew I was quicker than him through the second chicane. The bike ran consistently thoughout that race and the temperature stayed consistent. My Michelin tyres were also good, sliding a little but, again, consistently.

“The second race was more difficult as the bike did not feel the same and was dropping off throughout. The same riders that I could catch in the first race were just pulling away as I had lost a bit of torque.”

James said: “I had cortisone and ant-inflammatory injections last night but was still in agony this morning and there was no way that I can race. I am gutted because I love Assen and there are so many British fans. I had been really hoping I would be able to go out on a high at the end of this season.”


More, from a press release issued by HM Plant Ducati:

Walker carries torch after Toseland retires

Today’s second Superbike World Championship race at Assen was a difficult one for both HM Plant Ducati riders. James Toseland was forced to retire due to tyre problems and Chris Walker showed determination and true grit to finish in eighth place, despite riding while injured.

As the sun shone at the Dutch circuit, both Toseland and Walker made reasonably good starts to the 16-lap race, slotting into sixth and eighth place respectively. As the battle out front raged between the new Superbike World Champion, Neil Hodgson, Ruben Xaus and Gregorio Lavilla, Toseland got his head down and concentrated on closing down Regis Laconi and Pier Francesco Chili.

Toseland caught and passed Regis Laconi on lap eight to move up to fifth place and make sure he didn’t lose sight of the leading quartet of riders. The 22-year-old rider then managed to pass Chili on lap ten to move up to fourth place and set his sights on the podium position he narrowly missed out on in the first race.

Unfortunately for Toseland, his rear tyre began to disintegrate on lap 13 of 16 and he was forced to retire from the race. Chris Walker came home in a respectable eighth place – a great effort considering the injuries he was carrying.

Down but not out, Toseland is already looking forward to the next round of the championship: “Obviously I’m disappointed that my tyre went off but these things can happen to any rider. Everything was going so well out there and I’m convinced that I would have made it on to the podium, given the opportunity. My thoughts are already on the next round.”

Chris Walker added vital championship points to his tally by finishing the second race at Assen. “I did the best I could out there and despite 110% effort, I just wasn’t able to match the pace of the leading riders. It’s not often that I am glad when a race is over, but I couldn’t wait for the chequered flag today. Now I have to rest and get myself fit again for the next round.”


More, from a press release issued by Scuderia Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks:

Black an white for Regis Laconi today at Assen

It has not been a lucky day today at Assen for Scuderia Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks: David Garcia preferred to renounce at the race due the posthumous of the bad crash of yesterday in the free practice session, while Regis Laconi, forced to stop for electric troubles in race-1, ended 4th in race-2 limiting the damages for the championship standing in a wrong day. The biggest trouble has been because, after a warm up run on a half wet track, the race-1 stop didn’t allow to upgrade the set up and in race-2 some unattended problem appeared while they could be easily solve with more time available.

“I’m unhappy because, as Lavila and Toseland stopped, we could get a better standing in the championship.” – said a bit disappointed Laconi back in the garage – “It would be sufficient to earn a few points in race-1, on the contrary we made a stupid mistake when I enter the garage for an electric trouble: the guys have done immediately their job and I rejoined the race; I was running very fast, with laptime around 2’03” like the front of the race; but unfortunately they have done their work on the bike inside the garage and to be disqualified it has been unavoidable. So in race-2 the bike was running well ,but it wasn’t perfect, and Assen is strong heavy for the tyres and you must have a perfect setting to be competitive. However the championship standing is still good and in practice nothing changed because all three, Toseland, Lavilla and me, we lost a race today.”


More from a press release issued by the organizers of the Sidecar World Championship:

DUTCH DOUBLE FOR WEBSTER AT ASSEN

Steve Webster and passenger Paul Woodhead clinched their sixth victory of the 2003 campaign to extend their lead in the Superside World championship in round eight at Assen, Holland.

Reigning world champions Steve Abbott and Jamie Biggs got a terrific start to lead at the start but Webster and Woodhead were back on top by lap two and never looked back to clinch their third consecutive win.

Webster said: “It’s been a good weekend and the team did a fantastic job. Lap times were a bit slower but it was the same for everyone out there.”

Klaus Klaffenböck and Christian Parzer staged a terrific fightback and passed Abbott and Biggs on the final lap to take second, making it two podiums for the 2001 World champions.

“I am happy with second place. There are still two races to go and 50 points so everything is possible,” said Klaffenböck.

Abbott and Biggs got their first podium of the weekend in third following on from fourth in race one. “We had a problem with the water temperature and I didn’t expect to finish. Klaus came from nowhere and fair play to him,” said Abbott.

Superside World championship race result (13 laps-78.35km/48.97miles): 1 Steve Webster, GB (Suzuki) 28:33.867, 2 Klaus Klaffenböck, Austria (Yamaha) -6.413 seconds, 3 Steve Abbott, GB (Suzuki) -6.679, 4 Tom Hanks, GB (Yamaha) -16.377, 5 Martien van Gils, Holland (Suzuki) -16.482, 6 Jörg Steinhausen, Germany (Suzuki) -41.685, 7 Tim Reeves, GB (Yamaha) -1:15.543, 8 Billy Gällros, Sweden (Suzuki) -1:18.158s, 9 Bill Philp, GB (Yamaha) -1:18.955, 10 Chris Founds, GB (Yamaha) -1:28.543.

Championship points after eight of 10 rounds:
1 Webster 166, 2 Klaffenböck 146, 3 Steinhausen 111, 4 Abbott 91, 5 Hanks 81, 6 Van Gils 75, 7 Roscher 63, 8 Philp 59, 9 Gällros 39, 10 Hauzenberger 37.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

125cc Grand Prix Results:

1. Pablo Nieto, Aprilia, 23 laps, 41:08.307
2. Hector Barbera, Aprilia, -0.022 second
3. Alex De Angelis, Aprilia, -0.308 second
4. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, -0.560 second
5. Arnaud Vincent, Aprilia, -3.326 seconds
6. Jorge Lorenzo, Derbi, -8.143 seconds
7. Gabor Talmacsi, Aprilia, -8.287 seconds
8. Andrea Dovizioso, Aprilia, -13.353 seconds
9. Simone Corsi, Honda, -13.574 seconds
10. Mirko Giansanti, Aprilia, -13.869 seconds
11. Roberto Locatelli, KTM, -24.879 seconds
12. Fabrizio Lai, Malaguti, -39.570 seconds
13. Masao Azuma, Honda, -46.623 seconds
14. Mika Kallio, KTM, -46.646 seconds
15. Stefano Bianco, Gilera, -46.983 seconds

20. Emilio Alzamora, Derbi, -85.014 seconds

23. Stefano Perugini, Aprilia, -10 laps, DNF, crash

25. Steve Jenkner, Aprilia, -13 laps, DNF, mechanical

27. Thomas Luthi, Honda, -17 laps, DNF, crash

32. Gino Borsoi, Aprilia, -23 laps, DNF, crash
33. Lucio Cecchinello, Aprilia, -23 laps, DNF, crash

Youichi Ui, Gilera, DNS
Marco Simoncelli, Aprilia, DNS

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Saturday Morning MotoGP Practice Times:

1. Sete Gibernau, Honda, 1:38.910
2. Loris Capirossi, Ducati, 1:39.013
3. Valentino Rossi, Honda, 1:39.126
4. Tohru Ukawa, Honda, 1:39.603
5. Max Biaggi, Honda, 1:39.874
6. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha, 1:40.076
7. Carlos Checa, Yamaha, 1:40.158
8. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:40.160
9. Marco Melandri, Yamaha, 1:40.205
10. Makoto Tamada, Honda, 1:40.345
11. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki, 1:40.421
12. Troy Bayliss, Ducati, 1:40.510
13. Alex Barros, Yamaha, 1:40.547
14. Shinya Nakanao, Yamaha, 1:40.833
15. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia, 1:40.946
16. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 1:41.058
17. Colin Edwards, Aprilia, 1:41.060
18. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton, 1:42.262
19. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, 1:42.317
20. Andrew Pitt, Kawasaki, 1:42.426
21. Garry McCoy, Kawasaki, 1:42.634
22. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton, 1:42.642
23. David De Gea, Harris WCM, 1:43.128
24. Chris Burns, Harris WCM, 1:44.034


250cc Grand Prix Practice Times:

1. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, 1:42.585
2. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 1:42.609
3. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 1:42.653
4. Sebastian Porto, Honda, 1:42.835
5. Manuel Poggiali, Aprilia, 1:42.887
6. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 1:43.072
7. Anthony West, Aprilia, 1:43.174
8. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 1:43.600
9. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, 1:43.766
10. Sylvain Guintoli, Aprilia, 1:43.865
11. Alex Debon, Honda, 1:44.610
12. Johan Stigefelt, Aprilia, 1:44.733
13. Christian Gemmel, Honda, 1:44.807
14. Alex Baldolini, Aprilia, 1:44.835
15. Eric Bataille, Honda, 1:44.865
16. Hector Faubel, Aprilia, 1:44.877
17. Hugo Marchand, Aprilia, 1:44.879
18. Erwan Nigon, Aprilia, 1:44.916
19. Dirk Heidolf, Aprilia, 1:44.932
20. Chaz Davies, Aprilia, 1:45.158

29. Katja Poensgen, Honda, 1:48.818


125cc Grand Prix Practice Times:

1. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, 1:46.322
2. Stefano Perugini, Aprilia, 1:46.694
3. Alex De Angelis, Aprilia, 1:46.865
4. Arnaud Vincent, Aprilia, 1:46.915
5. Gabor Talmacsi, Aprilia, 1:46.983
6. Steve Jenkner, Aprilia, 1:47.000
7. Hector Barbera, Aprilia, 1:47.027
8. Gino Borsoi, Aprilia, 1:47.038
9. Jorge Lorenzo, Derbi, 1:47.113
10. Simone Corsi, Honda, 1:47.237
11. Mika Kallio, KTM, 1:47.355
12. Thomas Luthi, Honda, 1:47.412
13. Pablo Nieto, Aprilia, 1:47.476
14. Andrea Dovizioso, Honda, 1:47.558
15. Marco Simoncelli, Aprilia, 1:47.563
16. Mirko Giansanti, Aprilia, 1:47.690
17. Lucio Cecchinello, Aprilia, 1:47.739
18. Stefano Bianco, Gilera, 1:48.301
19. Gioele Pellino, Aprilia, 1:48.383
20. Alvaro Bautista, Aprilia, 1:48.558
21. Masao Azuma, Honda, 1:48.729

23. Roberto Locatelli, KTM, 1:48.848

28. Youichi Ui, Gilera, 1:49.690

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I know you guys are the ultimate racer resource, so I’m coming to you for help. I’m a brand new racer in the MRA (#191) this year and my racebike and my trailer were just stolen last night from in front of my house, between midnight and sunup. (It’s the second time this bike has been stolen–first time was when it was still my streetbike–can you believe the luck?)

I had the trailer locked to my car and my bike locked to the trailer and the thieves actually cut the trailer off my car.

Anyway, here are the details:

2002 GSX-R600, Sharkskinz upper and lower bodywork. Cheetah tailsection with a white plate and 25 on the tail (loaner bodywork while mine is getting painted, in case you’re wondering why it’s not my race #). Stock “Telefonica Moviestar” gas tank and a Yoshimura RS3 carbon fiber slip on can. FABBRI windscreen – not terribly common as far as I know. The VIN# is JS1GN7BA622104637.

2003 Voyager 3 rail trailer. Fairly unique trailer with wooden slats between the rails. Also had an extended tongue with a roughly 2×2 gas can rack just in front of the center rail. The VIN# is 4JVM013113A014388. Had Colorado plate on it, 667JEJ.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me. My contact info is (719) 266-1178 and (719) 310-5530 cell (usually the better #). Please call me if you need any more info or have any questions. Any help at all is appreciated.

Lisa Kary
MRA #191
Colorado Springs, Colorado

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

1. Chris Vermeulen, Honda CBR600RR, 2:05.736
2. Karl Muggeridge, Honda CBR600RR, 2:05.921
3. Sebastien Charpentier, Honda CBR600RR, 2:06.630
4. Jurgen Vd Goorbergh, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:06.669
5. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:06.932
6. Stephane Chambon, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:07.131
7. Barry Veneman, Honda CBR600RR, 2:07.313
8. Iain MacPherson, Honda CBR600RR, 2:07.485
9. Alessio Corradi, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:07.508
10. Simone Sanna, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:07.639
11. Gianluca Nannelli, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:07.712
12. Christian Kellner, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:07.923
13. Robert Ulm, Honda CBR600RR, 2:07.994
14. Pere Riba, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 2:08.192
15. Werner Daemen, Honda CBR600RR, 2:08.229
16. Fabien Foret, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 2:08.315
17. Jan Hanson, Honda CBR600RR, 2:08.340
18. Thieery Vd Bosch, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:08.494
19. Matthieu Lagrive, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:08.601
20. Dean Thomas, Honda CBR600RR, 2:08.828


More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing:

HONDA’S VERMEULEN SCOOPS ASSEN POLE POSITION

Honda CBR600RR rider Chris Vermeulen blasted to his second pole position of the year with the fastest lap in qualifying for round nine of the World Supersport championship at Assen in Holland.

Vermeulen¹s best lap time from Friday’s session was enough after rain hit the 3.74-mile circuit in the north of the country. Vermeulen’s lap, 0.3s faster than the best lap of 2002, edged out his team-mate Karl Muggeridge as the CBR600RR-armed pair did battle.

Vermeulen said: “There wasn’t too much we could learn in this afternoon’s wet session but I’m happy with the machine’s race set-up come rain or shine tomorrow. With a good chunk of the session remaining I parked the machine, I didn’t want to risk doing any damage chasing a pointless lap.”

Muggeridge commented: “I decided to stay out a bit longer and, as the track dried, we were able to test a range of slightly different tyres. I’m feeling very confident about tomorrow and looking to win a race ­ it’s been a while since I last did that!”

Sebastien Charpentier recorded his best qualifying result of the year with third place on his Klaffi Honda team CBR600RR. Charpentier also bounced back after destroying a machine in a Saturday morning free practice crash in the wet conditions.

“I just touched a white line and immediately lost control, the conditions were quite dangerous if you went anywhere near those white lines,” said Charpentier. “But I’ve got a good position on the grid and I’m confident I can stay with the two Ten Kate Hondas in tomorrow’s race.”

Dutchman Jurgen van den Goorbergh, 37 points behind championship leader Vermeulen, will start from fourth with the Suzuki pairing of Katsuaki Fujiwara and Stephane Chambon fifth and sixth respectively.

Barry Veneman, a Dutch wild card rider, starts from seventh place, on row two on his Esha Kobutex Honda team CBR600RR with Iain MacPherson eighth fastest on the Van Zon Honda.

“Despite the rain I’m a lot happier today,” admitted MacPherson. “We fitted a new frame to the machine I had a problem with and it feels much better ­ albeit in wet conditions. And we¹ve managed to find a really good setting with the machine should the conditions be wet.”

Alessio Corradi and Simone Sanna complete the top 10 on their Yamahas with Klaffi Honda¹s Robert Ulm 13th, he admitted: “The rain this afternoon did cost us as we wanted to try some new settings but maybe we can do that tomorrow morning in the warm-up.”

MacPherson’s Van Zon Honda team-mate Werner Daemen will start the 16-lap race from 15th place. Daemen said: “I didn¹t want to take any risks in the wet weather. Ten minutes more and I could have gone out with a full dry weather setting but the conditions were never going to be good enough for me to improve my lap time of Friday.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Dennis Noyes

All season long Pier Francesco Chili (PGS-1 Ducati) has been chasing a Superpole and on one memorable occasion in Oschsersleben he actually jumped over the pit wall on the main straight and gave Neil Hodgson the palms down signal jokingly trying to slow him down as the Englishman started his final lap of the “wet” Superpole.

It didn’t work. Hodgson took the pole and the Breil watch. A session is called “wet” if it is raining, obviously, or if it is deemed “likely to rain.” Race Director Roberto Nosetto, very experienced in running races at Assen, noted the threatening skies and opted for a “wet” session.

Today it was again a “wet” Superpole situation with the top 16 riders given 50 minutes and 12 laps to set a time. The quick lap was held briefly by John Reynolds (Rizla Suzuki), Troy Corser (Foggy Patronas) and Gregorio Lavilla (Alstare Coronas Suzuki) but for the final half hour the battle was between Chili and Hodgson with Lavilla and Xaus just off the searing pace.

The pole see-sawed between the two with Chili going first with a 2:01.965. Hodgson answered with a 2:01.512. Chili came back with a 2:01.451 before Hodgson brought the fans to their feet with a spectacular 2:01,226 and very nearly crashed coming out of the final chicane.

Chili, watching the proceedings from his chair, in the PGS-1 garage, cleaned his visor and went out for a final try.

Xaus meanwhile said that he went the wrong way on settings and made his bike worse for the Superpole. He was fourth. “Anyway, I can never get the Superpole, I think. Tomorrow if the warm-up is dry I can get a perfect set-up. Our set-up for the wet is so, so good.”

Lavilla, on his last lap of 12, encountered a slower rider and lost valuable time, taking third. “To be honest I think the slower rider cost me only a blink of time, maybe a tenth but maybe I could catch Neil but not Chili.”

Chili got a clean run and bettered Hodgson’s time by 0.4-second.

Hodgson still had three laps left, but had used up his last Michelin qualifying tire.

“I don’t think I could have beaten him anyway,” said the Englishman, who added, “I just have to say that it is amazing that Frankie on his old road bike, and he’s a bit old himself, has just done a lap within a second of Rossi’s best time on the V5.”

Chili, emotional as usual, said, “Today I was looking in the program at the riders’ birthdates and I see that some of them are 10 years younger than I am and I think, ‘Chili, what are you doing out there?’, but this is the sport I love. But there is a new tire rule that I don’t like. This year we are riding 1 second slower only than Rossi and I want to go faster next year, faster every year, but I think if they make this rule then we will go too slow and I am afraid that unless they change this rule I will not be here next year.”

The crowd shouted in anger, a shout that may easily have been heard in the nearby FGSport double-decker bus that serves as a track HQ.

Hodgson, who needs only 10 points to take the title, said, “I’m going to try and win the title and the races tomorrow. I have enough of a lead so that I can afford to do it. If it goes wrong tomorrow then I can just go to Italy and be conservative, but there are too many British fans here and I want to win the title by winning for them.”

One problem for Hodgson and teammate Xaus tomorrow will be the “big one” from Dunlop. The new tire, referred to as “the big’un” by the Dunlop technicians made its way over from the Kawasaki-MotoGP development program and was used today in both race and qualifying form by Lavilla, Chili, Laconi, Toseland and Walker. It is said to be “a lot better” and very good even after a dozen laps.

Chris Walker did not come out in the Superpole session on his HM Plant Ducati after a crash in the morning. He intended to go out, but after a trip to the clinic doctors, he pulled out for X-rays to his neck. He is in doubt for tomorrow as is Foggy Petronas rider James Haydon who crashed hard at the fastest corner on the circuit in the wet morning qualifying session. X-rays revealed no broken bones but his injured hands were too painful to allow him to ride in the afternoon.



Ducati: “Xaus’s place is in World Superbike.”

Responding to our posting just an hour ago that Rubén Xaus has been talking to Ducati about the possibility of racing in the AMA Superbike Championship, Ducati Press Officer Julian Thomas commented, “Of course at this time of year everyone talks about everything, but I think Rubén’s order of choice would be first MotoGP and second World Superbike. If an opportunity opened in MotoGP that is surely what he would choose, but only on a competitive bike. Nothing is decided yet, but Xaus’s place is World Superbike.”

In this paddock, more than most, a rider is as good as his most recent results. There is no question that after the German World Superbike round in Oschersleben, Ducati had no plans for Xaus beyond the end of the year. Now, however, Xaus is beginning to show consistency and against a confusing backdrop when the advantage of factory bikes has been reduced by new technical regulations and with no tire advantage for anyone, the two most valuable elements in the racing equation are now clearly the suspension and the rider…meaning Ducati 999 + Ohlins + Xaus looks like a very valuable combination for 2004 and Ducati officials, who left Xaus out in the cold last year until Colin Edwards turned them down, would probably be wise to sign Xaus quickly because if he runs the table over the last six races there will be other offers and some may come from “the other paddock.”

Hodgson, however, seems now certain to ride a Ducati Desmosedici in MotoGP.


No Changes to the Supersport Grid

Although it started to dry in the final minutes of the final Supersport qualifying session, the track remained wet in places right to the end, preventing any changes on the Supersport grid.

Three Honda riders (Chris Vermuelen, Karl Muggeride and Sebastien Charpenteir) will start on the front row along with fourth-fastest qualifier Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Yamaha).


World Superbike Superpole Results:

1. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 2:00.874
2. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03, 2:01.226
3. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:02.042
4. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, 2:02.150
5. John Reynolds, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:02.269
6. Regis Laconi, Ducati 998RS, 2:02.531
7. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02, 2:02.587
8. Chris Walker, Ducati 998F02, 2:02.736
9. Leon Haslam, Ducati 998RS, 2:03.277
10. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 2:03.281
11. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, 2:03.524
12. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 2:04.209
13. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 2:04.668
14. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, 2:04.880
15. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 2:05.507
16. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 2:05.591


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

CHILI EDGES OUT HODGSON (DUCATI FILA) IN EXCITING SUPERPOLE – FRONT ROW START FOR XAUS

Assen (Netherlands), Saturday 6 September:

Neil Hodgson (Ducati Fila) and Pierfrancesco Chili (PSG-1 Ducati) produced an extraordinary battle for Superpole in view of Sunday’s Dutch Round of the World Superbike Championship at Assen.

The championship leader and the talian ‘veteran’ traded the top slot throughout the session (declared ‘wet’ although run in the dry) and after an exciting 50 minutes the pole went to Chili after both riders had used up their supply of qualifying tyres. Chili and Hodgson both smashed the existing lap record, and the Italian’s time of 2:00.874 was just one second slower than Capirossi’s pole mark with the Ducati Desmosedici in this year’s MotoGP race.

Hodgson, whose time of 2:01.226 puts him in second place for tomorrow’s races, needs just ten points to become this year’s champion.

“That was really good fun, it’s great battling with Frankie” declared Neil. “I’d go out, give my best, then I’d come in and he’d gone faster again. When I came in, I was shaking with adrenalin because I’d nearly crashed, but in the end I ran out of qualifiers! I’ve had a fantastic weekend so far and have found the enjoyment again after two tense rounds in America and Britain. Everything is going so well, I don’t want to tempt fate, but I’m looking forward to tomorrow. I know I’ve got one hand on the trophy but I’m going to give 100% as always”.

Ruben Xaus also had a positive Superpole session, lapping in 2:02.150 on the second Ducati 999 to line up on the outside of the front row for tomorrow’s two races.

“I’m always happy to be on the front row but we went a bit in the wrong direction at the end of yesterday” said Ruben. “Today we tried the same thing with a different set-up and it worked so now I don’t think I’m that far from the other guys. I’m pretty happy with the work my mechanics did because we got a good set-up for dry conditions and a perfect one for the wet. For me if tomorrow the warm-up is dry it will be better because I can do some more laps and get the bike to perfection”.

STARTING-GRID: 1. Chili (PSG-1 Ducati) 2:00.874; 2. Hodgson (Ducati Fila) 2:01.226; 3. Lavilla (Suzuki) 2:02.042; 4. Xaus (Ducati Fila) 2:02.150; 5. Reynolds (Suzuki) 2:02.269; 6. Laconi (NCR Ducati) 2:02.531; 7. Toseland (HM Plant Ducati) 2:02.587; 8. Walker (HM Plant Ducati) 2:02.736


More, from a press release issued by HM Plant Ducati:

Second row start for Toseland

Today’s wet Superpole session at Assen circuit in the Netherlands was dominated by Ducati. Pier-Francesco Chili took the honours with a best lap time of 2:00.874, while former HM Plant Ducati rider Neil Hodgson was second fastest, with a best time of 2:01.226.

HM Plant Ducati’s James Toseland qualified on the second row in seventh position but unfortunately for his team-mate Chris Walker, an accident in the morning left him unable to take part in this afternoon’s Superpole session. A decision on whether he races will be taken tomorrow morning.

Twenty-two year-old Toseland, who was on the podium for HM Plant Ducati last year at Assen, was pleased with his performance but believes that there is much more to come from him in tomorrow’s two races.

“We had a good practice session yesterday and the hard work that I put in during the dry conditions should stand me in good stead if it is a dry race. I’m happy overall with the setting I’ve got for the HM Plant Ducati and I’ve also found a good race tyre for these conditions.

“I was ninth fastest in this morning’s wet practice but after Chris’s accident, I didn’t want to push things too hard. My main focus is to finish ahead of Ruben Xaus in each race and concentrate on achieving second place in the Superbike World Championship for the team. I love the track and am really looking forward to mixing it out there tomorrow. There are loads of British fans here to cheer us on and the atmosphere is electric – I can’t wait.”

It wasn’t such good news for HM Plant Ducati’s Chris Walker. The popular Nottinghamshire rider crashed heavily during the wet morning session, yet still managed to go sixth fastest despite only completing eleven laps. In the afternoon practice session, the gutsy rider was only able to complete three laps before feeling too unwell to continue. After being examined at the medical centre, the circuit doctors advised Walker not to participate in this afternoon’s wet Superpole session. If he races tomorrow, he will start from eighth on the grid.


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

TROY JUST MISSES OUT ON THE SECOND ROW.

At the end of a difficult day, with varying weather conditions, Troy was happy to get into the 2:03s and a place on the third row of the grid. But for a small mistake in the Strubben hairpin, Troy would’ve been on the second row. Toady’s Superpole session was deemed a ‘Wet Superpole’, with the top sixteen riders having a maximum of twelve laps and fifty minutes to set the fastest time. But most of the session was held in the dry and the lead changed hand several times. In the end, Italian Frankie Chili (Ducati) posted the weekend’s quickest lap with a time of 2:00.874 – only a second slower then Valentino Rossi’s best lap in the MotoGP earlier in the year. Series leader Neil Hodgson (Ducati) finished the day second, ahead of Gregorio Lavilla (Suzuki), with Ruben Xaus (Ducati) completing the front row of the grid.

TROY – 11th, 2:03.524
I’m pretty happy with my best time of the day, though maybe it could’ve been a bit better if I had not made a small mistake in the (Strubben) hairpin. That cost me a little time and probably a place on the second row. But getting a 2:03 was good and it’s a sign of the improvements we made to each day. We worked quite a bit on the gearing, rear shock and front forks today and there’s still room for more improvement. I know which front Michelin I’m going to use, but I’ve got a choice of two different rears to make. If the track temperature is higher, I’ll probably go for a harder compound, though the softer tyre has more side grip. I’d be happy to finish in the top ten tomorrow, but there a few people ahead of me that I think I can beat, so we’ll have to see how it all works out.


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

Haydon race doubt in Assen for Foggy PETRONAS Racing

Troy Corser qualified in 11th place for tomorrow’s tenth round of the World Superbike championship in Holland on a day marred by injury to team-mate James Haydon.

The Englishman crashed at the fastest corner on the Assen circuit, Meeuwenmeer, during a wet morning qualifying session. X-rays revealed no fractures to his injured hands but, after attempting to ride in the afternoon free practice, he was forced to pull out of the session.

James said: “There was a small dry line starting to develop, about 1.5 feet wide, and I was hitting it in fifth at about 140mph. The white line was right on the edge of the dry line. I think I must have misjudged my line it by a couple of centimetres, touched the white line and went down.

“My right hand has been bent fully forward and back and, while there is nothing broken, I have obviously torn and strained ligaments and tendons. I went out for a lap, trying to grin and bear it, but I couldn’t even turn the bike through the fast sections. I want to ride tomorrow as I want to finish the season on a high note, but I will have to see how it feels.”

Troy finished both qualifying sessions tenth fastest and, in a Superpole declared wet, he bettered his fastest lap of the weekend by more than a second with a time of 2.03.524 while Frankie Chili claimed pole with a time of 2:00.874.

Troy said: “I am pretty happy with 11th although I made a small mistake at the hairpin on my fastest lap, when I went in a little bit deep and wide, which might have cost me a second row start tomorrow. But we have made improvements each day and I’m happy to be in the 2:03s.

“We have been working on gearing, the rear shock and the front fork all day and can still make more improvements. I am happy with my front tyre but still have to choose between two rears. If the track temperature is higher I will probably go with the harder compound, although the softer tyre has more side grip. I will be happy if I finish in the top ten, although there are a couple ahead of me on the grid who I would expect to beat.”


More, from a press release issued by Scuderia Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks:

Laconi will start from the second row at Assen

Wake up under the rain this morning in Assen for the Superbike riders; all the strategies have been so twisted. After a Wet Superpole session Regis Laconi will start on his 998RS Ducati Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks for the two 16 lap races, 96,432 kilometres, from the second row for the tenth round of World Superbike.

Actually Regis has been not lucky today in Superpole: twice he has seen his possibility for a fast lap throw away due the presence of parked riders in the middle of the track, holding the fastest line in the narrow Dutch track.

“The race is tomorrow and we must stay calm.” – concluded a bit disappointed Laconi after the Superpole session – “I spoiled a couple of occasions due slow riders in the middle of the track that were returning the pits after their fast lap, so I throw away two occasions, a couple of soft tyres and a lot of the twelve laps allowed by the Wet Superpole procedure. I must know that I couldn’t be able to contest for the pole position, but to grab the front row could be possible without those troubles. However, as I told, the race is tomorrow and I’m confident to be ready for a good result, also if today our set up is not perfect due the continuous changing between wet and dry conditions.”

Bad fall for David Garcia in the second free practice session: the young Spanish rider hardly knocked against the asphalt with his helmet, remaining a bit confused, and only tomorrow morning he’ll know if he’ll be fit to race or not.

“Another crash, actually that’s a bad season! ” – said Garcia back in the box after the medical control – “I was riding quite well, despite some pain in my left arm, and I found myself on the asphalt. It has been a bad crash and I’ve been lucky that my helmet worked well, remaining damaged in the crash. My arm was looking to be able to resist for a 16 lap race and we found a good set up. I hope to stay better after a night sleeping tomorrow.”


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

FRONT ROW FOR GREGORIO

Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Gregorio Lavilla will start tomorrow’s pair of 16-lap races from the front row of the grid after an eventful ‘Wet Superpole” today at Assen. The morning timed session was wet and no rider improved on Gregorio’s time from yesterday. Because of the threat of rain in Superpole this afternoon, the session was deemed a “Wet Superpole” with the top sixteen riders able to do a maximum of twelve laps in fifty minutes and set the best time. The session then took place almost entirely in dry conditions and the lead changed hands many times before veteran Frankie Chili (Ducati) put in an absolute flyer of a lap to take Superpole. His time of 2:00.874 was just one second slower then Valentino Rossi’s best time in the MotoGP earlier in the year! Second quickest today is series leader Neil Hodgson (Ducati), with Lavilla third and Ruben Xaus (Ducati) fourth.

GREGORIO LAVILLA ­ 3rd, 2:02.042
That was a very busy Superpole and I’m happy to be on the front row. On my last go, I was going very well and on course for the second quickest time, but another rider got in the way and held me up just a little. I don’t think I could’ve won Superpole, but maybe I would’ve managed second. But in the end, it doesn’t really matter because I am on the front row and that’s all that counts. What happens tomorrow is more important. We’ve still a few things to try in the morning warm-up tomorrow and maybe it’s possible to improve a bit more for the two races. Assen is a very demanding circuit and it’s going to be a long hard day tomorrow, but I’m optimistic of a good result (or two!) and hoping for a couple of podiums.

Final qualifying
1 Chili (I-Ducati) 2:00.874, 2 Hodgson (GB-Ducati) 2:01.226, 3 GREGORIO LAVILLA (E-ALSTARE SUZUKI CORONA EXTRA) 2:02.042, 4 Xaus (E-Ducati) 2:02.150, 5 Reynolds (GB-Suzuki) 2:02.269, 6 Laconi (F-Ducati) 2:02.531

VITTORIO IANNUZZO ­ Update
Italian Vittorio Iannuzzo will not be taking any further part in this weekend’s proceedings. He crashed twice yesterday and after the second he was taken to hospital for a precautionary check-up. He has been kept in and is expected to remain in hospital until at least Monday when he will undergo a second TAC scan to make sure there is no damage to his head. Iannuzzo has not broken any bones but is suffering from an all-over battering after his 260 kph tumble at one of the fastest parts of the circuit.

SECOND ROW FOR KATS AND STEFF
The bad weather at Assen today meant there were no changes at the top of the leaderboard, so the grid positions were the same as yesterday. So, Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra riders Katsuaki Fujiwara and Stephane Chambon will start tomorrow’s 16-lapper from the second row of the grid in fifth and sixth places respectively. Although conditions improved in the afternoon, the track was still wet enough to prevent any rider improving their lap times and so most teams used the tow sessions today to try and find a good set-up in case of a wet race tomorrow. Series leader Chris Vermeulen (Honda) will start from pole position, with Karl Muggeridge (Honda), Sebastien Charpentier (Honda) and Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Yamaha) alongside on the front row.

KATSUAKI FUJIWARA ­ 5th, 2:06.932
Today was very difficult because of the conditions and it wasn’t possible to go any quicker. The new section of the track is difficult in the dry and I had to take it easy there in the wet. I hope tomorrow will be dry so that I have a chance to push hard. Whatever happens it’s going to be sixteen very hard laps.

STEPHANE CHAMBON ­ 6th, 2:07.131
Today was OK and I didn’t have any major problems ­ just the weather which meant we couldn’t improve our lap times. There is a bit too much movement on the bike for my liking at the moment despite us trying some different settings. I don’t think our changes made much difference today. I would prefer a dry race tomorrow and I know I need to make a good start and stay in touch with the leaders. But it’s not going to be easy and I think it’ll be difficult to get a podium ­ though that will not stop me from trying my best!


More, from a press release issued by Team Yamaha Belgarda:

Date: Saturday 6th September 2003
Circuit: Assen, km 6.027- Final qualifying
Crowd: 15000; Weather: Mostly damp, 16 C

NO CHANGE DUE TO THE WEATHER. FRONT ROW FOR JURGEN.

Thanks to today’s poor weather, it wasn’t possible for any rider to go any faster and improve on their positions from yesterday. So, Jurgen will start from the front row of the grid and have a real chance of fighting for a podium right from the start of tomorrow’s 16-lap race. Simone will have to make a good start and be in touch with the lead group if he is to get a good result, but the Italian likes Assen and a good result is within his means. Series leader Chris Vermeulen (Honda) will start from pole position, with his team mate Karl Muggeridge alongside. Third is Frenchman Sebastien Charpentier (Honda) with Jurgen completing the front row.

JURGEN VD GOORBERGH ­ 4th, 2:06.669
I think today was wonderful and I’m pretty happy. The weather in the morning wasn’t too good and so it took me a little time to get confident with the bike in the damp. But later I was much happier and I feel we have a good set-up for a wet race. Our dry set-up is OK as well, though I would’ve preferred more dry track time. Front row is OK and I just have to stay with the fast Hondas. For a good result for me, I’d like a dry race and for the championship maybe a wet race would be better.

SIMONE SANNA ­ 10th, 2.07.508
I’m happy enough with today and we’ll see what the conditions are like tomorrow. I don’t mind if it’s wet or dry, but what is important is that I get a good start and not lose touch with the leaders. There are very few passing opportunities at Assen, so it’s vital to keep in touch. I hope to make a good start and then push hard throughout the race and see where I can finish up. I like Assen a lot, so I’m optimistic of my chances.