From a press release issued by Telefonica Movistar Honda/Gresini Racing:

ASSEN , THE UNIVERSITY OF MOTORCYCLES

The Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda is ready for the challenge on Saturday, 26th of June. The GP of Holland is planned to be raced on the track of Assen, the only circuit which has hosted every year a GP round since its opening in 1955 (1949 was the first year of the Motorcycle Championship). This fast circuit offers fantastic grip even when it rains given the special pavement which dries quickly, and also thanks to a particular profile of the track which allows the water to drain rapidly. Even if it causes some counterslopes which require a lot of attention in the setup of the bike: a setup which offers both major stability and agility.


The weather however remains the biggest incognito, in fact here the climatic conditions change rapidly and the risk of rain is always high.


# 15 SETE GIBERNAU

The leader of the Championship and the Assen challenge


Sete Gibernau arrives to the Ducth Gp leading the Moto GP Championship. After the two races of Mugello and Barcelona the gap with Valentino Rossi is reduced to 5 points. Assen therefore must be interpreted in the best of ways in order to keep the lead. Sete is a strong rider who doesn’t get influenced by other riders: he gives his best every time he gets onto his bike and he remains concentrated on his goal, that is to get a podium finish every single race.

On this challenging and technical Dutch TT track, Sete Gibernau is called to repeat himself after last years win. Assen is always a special appointment, it is a technical track and quick, one where the bike must be fast in the change of direction and must also have an optimum stability.


“I have nice memories regarding this track: Here I was on the podium in 1999 when I was racing in the 500 cc class and first last year in MotoGP. The Dutch TT has a very long history and a wonderful affluence of spectators not only because of how many come, but because these fans are all very passionate and also understand a lot about bikes.

It is a difficult track and it is easy to commit errors. To make a good lap it is important to not make mistakes because if you make one mistake during a corner, then even the next corners will not be taken on correctly. The setup will be fundamental; we are aiming for the stability and agility of the bike.”

# 45 COLIN EDWARDS

Determined to score a good results in MotoGP at the Dutch TT after many victories in SBK


Extremely determined, Colin Edwards can’t wait to get to Assen, a technically challenging circuit which adapts well to his style of riding. The 6 km of the Dutch TT are familiar for the Texan. Here in fact Edwards won many times in Superbike.

“Assen is a track I like a lot, here I’ve won many times when I raced in Superbike and it is a circuit I like both when it is dry and when it’s wet. I can’t wait to get ! to Holland and obtain a great result. I know the track well and I am sure to have a good pace. I’m more confident after the test session that we did at Barcelona the day after the GP.

During the test we tried many different type of tyres in order to find, together with Michelin, the right mix. The thing that counts though is not only our aim to reduce these chattering phenomena to the max, but also to learn to ride with this problem. I have to regain confidence with my rear wheel and ride less aggressively in order to return to having a clean ride which will allow for a more sustained pace during the race.”