SBK
World SBK: four wins for Toseland keep him on top as Assen approaches
26 aprile 2007
The 2004 champion is ready for his team’s home race, and given the fact that previous incarnations of the CBR1000RR have won three races at Assen - and Toseland himself has won an SBK race at this venue in 2004 - the Englishman has many reasons to consider the frequently-updated track to be one laden with opportunities. Roberto Rolfo (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) is particularly keen to get his championship challenge back up to the high levels he has displayed only fleetingly this season, but he is still the second highest placed CBR1000RR rider in the series itself, in ninth place. Michel Fabrizio (DFX Corse Honda CBR1000RR) will not have the back up of his normal team-mate Steve Martin this weekend, as the team’s budgetary constraints have now made their mark. Fabrizio is currently 11th, on the same points as another Honda rider Joshua Brookes (Alto Evolution Honda CBR1000RR). At the recent Valencia race Brookes had his best weekend in the SBK class since joining the new-for-2007 Alto Evolution team and he currently sits 12th on 32 points. His team-mate Karl Muggeridge (Alto Evolution Honda CBR1000RR) is 16th, having missed out on the start or the finish of five races out of eight so far. Toseland can count on a doubly strong base of support at Assen. First of all the Dutch fans who will be cheering on all Ten Kate riders, and then the many British fans who make an annual pilgrimage to the classic venue in the van Drenthe region of the Netherlands. “So far we've won a race at every round so I'm hoping to keep this going at Assen,” said Toseland on the eve of race weekend. “It's more or less like a home round for me with all the British fans that come over, and of course it's the home race for the team, so it should be a good one. I'm really looking forward to the racing and hopefully I can keep, and extend, my championship lead.” Rolfo found the previous round a challenge after a very positive race at Donington prior to that, but he knows that Assen should suit his particular riding style. “Things did not go so well for me in Valencia - the feeling on the bike just wasn't there and I struggled to get on the pace,” said the Italian. “I hope to be able to get back on track at Assen because although this is a challenging circuit, I think it will suit my style. We'll see how things go. I am looking forward to racing at the team's home track as there should be a lot of extra support in the crowd - it should be a good weekend.” Fabrizio’s season has not yet seen him on the podium, but he knows that there are reasons for this in such a season as 2007. He did, however, score a third place in the wet first race at Assen in 2006, when riding a CBR1000RR for his DFX team. “I believe that the World Championship in 2007 is the most difficult ever for a private team,” said Fabrizio. “We are working hard with the motorcycle and I am sure we can demonstrate that, starting from next race in Assen. Obviously I am not happy at the moment but I will fight to replay the same result of last year.” Brookes has experience of Assen in its current format, and will be relying on that help in his campaign this weekend. “I’ve been to Assen before,” said Brookes, “and we know the weather will play a big part for everyone. We all want to be winners but we just need to continue making the little steps we have been making. Hopefully we can continue to improve in the next race, but every new track opens up new opportunities and difficulties.” Muggeridge was a great fan of the Assen circuit of old, but knows that even if he favours the current layout less, it is an opportunity for him to recover from some recent bad luck. “It’s not really Assen any more,” said a wistful Muggeridge. “Parts of old track are still there but not much. I think we have a pretty good chance there next weekend and the team has strengthened our backroom personnel still further. That’s good but it may take a little bit of time to get going together. The bike seems pretty good now. I think we have good potential in our team and it’s just a case of getting the maximum out of things from now on.” After the Assen weekend is completed, first of three Italian rounds in the 2007 season takes place at another historic circuit, Monza, between 11 and 13 May. |
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