The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team ready to race in Assen
After taking a double victory in Aragon (Spain) with Chaz Davies, the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team will head to Assen (Netherlands) for the fourth round of the World Superbike Championship. Both Davies and Davide Giugliano, who finished the races in Aragon in fifth and sixth position, enjoy riding in the Dutch track, which will host the production-based series for the 25th year. Davies took two second-place finishes last year while Giugliano, who skipped the round in 2015 due to injuries, brought the Panigale R on the third step of the podium in the previous season.
The TT Circuit, characterized by a radically different layout compared with the Aragon Motorland track, also represents a good benchmark to further evaluate the technical upgrades recently developed in Borgo Panigale and cut back the gap in the general standings, where Davies and Giugliano currently sit in second (105 points) and fifth (56 points) position respectively. In conjunction with a test already scheduled by the development team in Mugello, the squad also took the chance to take it to the track with Davide Giugliano, who thus utilized one of the eight private-test days allocated to permanent riders during the championship to solve the issues encountered in Spain.
Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #7)
“We are heading to Assen with good momentum and a lot confidence, not just for the results we scored but most of all because of the way the bike performed in Spain. I like the Assen track, it’s completely different from Aragon and it will give us a good chance to further evaluate the latest technical upgrades. Last year we finished second twice and we were in contention until the finish line, and since then the bike has made a lot of progress both in terms of electronics and chassis. I’m expecting another tough battle with our rivals, there’s definitely no time to rest on laurels.”
Davide Giugliano (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #34)
“In Aragon, we struggled with a few issues and we haven’t scored the results we were hoping for but, looking at the bright side, our bike has won two races and we narrowed down some areas on which we have to intervene. We also took advantage of a one-day test in Mugello to help myself regain the best sensations on the bike after two difficult races and try a few solutions that should help my competitiveness. Also, each lap on the Panigale R is important for me since I was sidelined for a long time last season. I really enjoy riding in Assen and I have always been fast there. Theoretically, it should suit my style, so I’m looking forward to bounce back.”
More, from a press release issued by Althea Racing BMW:
From Spain to The Netherlands for the Althea BMW Racing Team
Civita Castellana (Italy) – After the encouraging results achieved at the latest round, which took place at Motorland Aragón in Spain ten days ago, and the subsequent tests completed at Jerez, the Althea BMW Racing Team now travels on to the TT Circuit of Assen, in The Netherlands, for round 4 of the 2016 Superbike World Championship.
The Van Drenthe track is nothing short of a motorcycling mecca with the original circuit having hosted races as far back as 1925. In 1955, a ‘new’ track was constructed, undergoing various modification in subsequent years. Today’s layout is 4542 metres in length and comprises 6 left-hand and 11 right-hand turns.
At last year’s Dutch edition, Torres completed the races with a double sixth and enjoys riding at the historic track. While competing in the German IDM championship in 2015, Reiterberger scored an amazing double win at Assen, which also secured him the national title.
In Superstock 1000, Althea BMW rider Raffaele De Rosa celebrated his first podium of the season at Aragón, and is looking forward to returning to Assen, having finished last year’s race there in second place.
With three rounds of WorldSBK already completed, Jordi Torres lies seventh in the general standings with 53 points, Reiterberger positions ninth with 31 points. In Stock1000, De Rosa holds third position, after one round, with 16 points.
Markus Reiterberger:
“In recent years I’ve raced at Assen with the German IDM championship. We’ve not always had the best races there and in 2013 and 2014 it wasn’t such a good track for the BMW. But then last year, we found a solution and I scored the double win and the championship title. I came within a couple of tenths of Rea’s 2015 SBK race time! It won’t be that easy this time around, and I need get back the good feeling with my bike and work to improve the setting. The Jerez tests gave me chance to work on improving feeling but we only really took a small step forward. Anyway, I’m feeling positive and am looking forward to starting the weekend’s work.”
Jordi Torres:
“We’re keen to get to Assen, such a special track full of history. I like the track and there’s generally a good crowd, the support is always great. The recent tests at Jerez provided us with a lot of data that will be helpful as we prepare for the Dutch races. I think we’ll be more prepared and relaxed as a result, having taken a step forward. Assen is unique with its chicanes so we’ll need a bike that is strong in the changes of direction. I’m continuing to adapt to my BMW and so I hope we can complete two good races this weekend, in line with my expectations.”