Following on from a superb performance at the third round of the 2009 World Superbike Championship in Valencia last time out, Paul Bird Motorsport Team riders Broc Parkes and Makoto Tamada are hoping to continue their good form for the Kawasaki World Superbike Racing Team when round four of the series visits the historic Assen circuit in the Netherlands next weekend. Following the opening two rounds in Australia and Qatar which weren’t as successful as they were hoping, Parkes rocketed to a superb tenth place finish in the opening race in Spain which Tamada backed up with his first points of the season despite still suffering from injuries sustained in testing. As a result, the official factory Ninja ZX-10R riders, with backing from www.supercasino.com, Vent Axia and Kick Energy, are gradually getting to grips with the bikes and with new parts arriving and the Dutch track being similar in characteristics to the Valencia circuit, both 27-year-old Parkes and 32-year-old Tamada are confident going into the second of the European races. Broc Parkes: “The bike is developing well and we’ve made some pretty good steps forward over the past few races. We have some new parts arriving ready for Assen and this will hopefully have a good effect to take us to Monza and then the flyaways. The championship is so tight though, anything can happen so it’s possible to be in the top ten once more if things go right. I can’t say I’ve had any major results before at Assen but I do enjoy the circuit and the atmosphere is always good.” Makoto Tamada: “There were some setbacks due to my injury during the Valencia races, but I am recovering fast and happy with my progress. I don’t feel that I have been able to show anywhere near my full potential this season yet, but I am confident that I will do in the near future. I have a great new team behind me and I have full confidence in them and the goals we have set out to achieve together. I am hoping for a top ten finish at Assen.”