Ducati Team head northwards to Assen for the Dutch TT

With the Barcelona race behind them, the Ducati Team are now heading northwards towards the Netherlands for round 8 of the 2015 MotoGP World Championship at the Assen TT circuit. As well as being the oldest race on the calendar (the first edition was in 1949), the Dutch GP is also the only one that is traditionally held on Saturday. The circuit has undergone a number of alterations over the years, but what has never changed is the incredible number of fans that flock there every year.

Andrea Dovizioso, who does not rate Assen as one of his favourite circuits, has however been on the podium three times there in the MotoGP category, with a third place in 2011 and 2012, and the runner-up slot last year. After a great start to the season, in which he scored four podium finishes in the first five races, the Forlì-born racer now comes off the back of two successive DNFs at Mugello and Barcelona and is anxious to bring an end to this negative run as soon as possible.

Things are slightly different for Andrea Iannone, who does like the Dutch circuit. In his first season with the factory Ducati Team, the man from Vasto has immediately scored some great results, taking his first MotoGP podium at the opening round in Qatar and following that up with a first pole position and the runner-up slot at Mugello. This positive run has propelled him into third overall in the Riders’ standings.

The TT Assen round begins on Thursday morning with Free Practice 1 at 9.55am, with the 26-lap race scheduled for 2pm on Saturday afternoon.

Andrea Iannone (Ducati Team #29) – 3rd (94 points)

“I hope the Desmosedici GP15 will go better around Assen than at Barcelona, because it was a difficult weekend for me and for my team in Catalunya and for sure I want to improve on my result in the Netherlands. I’ve won before in Moto2 in 2010 at the Dutch track and I like it a lot, but I also know that in the past Assen has been a bit tough for Ducati. However this year we have a new bike, which still has a lot of untapped potential, and I am sure the GP15 will allow me to fight for the leading positions.”

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team #04) – 4° (83 points)

“I was very disappointed about my crash at Barcelona, because we could have scored some good points for the championship, but I also know we are working well and this gives me the opportunity to fight for the podium at every round. At Assen it is important for us to come back to the podium and confirm our speed. The Dutch track is unique because of its particular layout, but also because of the weather conditions we usually encounter during the race weekend. In any case, we have to look at the positive things: we have a very fast bike and for sure we will be competitive at Assen.”

The Assen TT Circuit

Since its inauguration in 1949, Assen has held a Grand Prix every year, first on public roads and then from 1954 on the track known as the Dutch TT. The circuit is located amidst grassy banks with numerous grandstands and a seating capacity of 64,500. In 2002 the circuit was modernized and a new grandstand, race control tower, revamped garages and media centre were added. The track was then modified again in 2005, with its 6 km lap distance first reduced to 4.555 km and then to its current length of 4.542 km.

Circuit Record: Pedrosa (Honda – 2012), 1’34.548 (172.9 km/h)

Fastest Lap: Marquez (Honda – 2014), 1’33.462 (174.9 km/h)

Top Speed: Marquez (Honda – 2014), 313.4 km/h

Circuit Length: 4.542 km

Race Distance: 26 laps (118.1 km)

Corners: 18 (6 left, 12 right)

Race Start: 14.00 CET

2014 Results

Podium: 1. Marquez (Honda), 2. Dovizioso (Ducati), 3. Pedrosa (Honda)

Pole Position: A. Espargarò (Forward Yamaha) 1’38.7 (165.5 km/h)

Fastest Lap: Marquez (Honda), 1’34.5 (172.8 km/h)

Andrea Dovizioso

Bike: Ducati Desmosedici GP15

Race Number: 04

Age: 29 (born on March 23rd 1986 in Forlimpopoli, Italy)

Residence: Forlì (Italy)

Races: 229 (131 x MotoGP, 49 x 250cc, 49 x 125cc)

First GP: 2001 Italian GP (125cc)

Wins: 10 (1 x MotoGP, 4 x 250cc, 5 x 125cc)

First Win: 2004 South African GP (125cc)

Pole Positions: 16 (3 x MotoGP, 4 x 250cc, 9 x 125cc)

First Pole: 2003 French GP (125cc)

Titles: 1 (1 x 125cc)

Andrea Iannone

Bike: Ducati Desmosedici GP15

Race Number: 29

Age: 25 (born on August 9th 1989 in Vasto, Italy)

Residence: Vasto (Italy)

Races: 167 (40 x MotoGP, 51 x Moto2, 76 x 125cc)

First GP: 2005 Spanish GP (125cc)

Wins: 12 (8 x Moto2, 4 x 125cc)

First Win: 2008 GP of China (125cc)

Pole Positions: 9 (1 x MotoGP, 5 x Moto2, 3 x 125cc)

First Pole: 2008 GP of Malaysia (125cc)