For the 65th time in succession the MotoGP World Championship stops off at Assen this week for the legendary Dutch TT. The only circuit to have hosted a round of the series every year since its inception in 1949, Assen has undergone several modifications over the decades but it retains a sense of mystique and tradition. Team GO&FUN Honda Gresini head to Holland in high spirits following a positive recent test at the Aragon circuit. For Alvaro Bautista it was an important opportunity to put a disappointing Catalan Grand Prix behind him and now the Spanish rider is looking forward after working closely with the technicians from Showa and Nissin to find a setting for the RC213V that gives him the confidence to push it to the limit on track. After scoring his first championship points in Barcelona, Bryan Staring finally heads to a circuit he has prior experience of, hoping his track knowledge can help him make the most of the available track time.
Alvaro Bautista
“The crash on the first lap of the race at the Catalan Grand Prix left a very bitter taste in my mouth. Psychologically it was a heavy blow for me because before the start of the race I felt we were in good shape. Myself and the team had done a great job during practice to find a setting for the bike that allowed me to set a good pace and then in qualifying we were able to secure an optim um starting position, in fourth place. Overall everything was in place for us to have a great race but unfortunately what happened at Montemelò is part of racing. It was just so disappointing because it was a home race and for it to happen in front of your own fans was tough to take, for me and the team. Now I want to forget all that and focus on the positives that we found over the weekend and in the test afterwards at Aragon. I am really determined to do a good job in Holland now and start to recover the points we have lost in the last two rounds. Last year at Assen we were competitive up until the start of the race, when I made a mistake. This year I will be more cautious and I think we can do a good job from the first session because this year we have the potential. It's a difficult track with a slow first section and then some faster sections in the second half. It's not easy to find a compromise with the setting to suit both halves of the track but we will try. Obviously t he weather is usually a factor here too and you can sometimes get damp sections and dry sections but that's Holland!”
Bryan Staring
“After a positive result in the Catalan Grand Prix, where I scored my first World Championship points, I go to Holland with a different approach. I feel motivated and confident about this race especially because I finally won't have to spend time learning the track because I already know it. I really like Assen and I will be able to start work on the machine straight away. I am desperate to do well this weekend and get the most out of the bike so that I can show my potential.”
Fausto Gresini
“We go to Assen in good spirits and with a lot of motivation. It is an important race for Team GO&FUN Honda Gresini and Alvaro because we need to confirm the work we did at Aragon and put the bad memories of Barcelona behind us. At Aragon there was a lot of important work done by both Showa and Nissin alongside the team to allow Alv aro to rebuild his confidence with the bike and be competitive again at the next race. Finally Bryan gets to go to a track he knows, which will help him show his real potential. He won't have to waste time learning the track and will be able to concentrate on finding a good set-up for the race.”
Go&Fun Honda Gresini Press Release
