Assen the next challenge for POWER ELECTRONICS Aspar Team
Nicky Hayden looking to turn his luck around after two fruitless races, as Eugene Laverty aims to continue points-scoring form
One of the most notable and famous dates on the MotoGP World Championship is fast approaching as the TT Circuit Assen prepares to host the eighth round of the season in its traditional slot on the final Saturday in June. The legendary circuit is revered by the riders, who will be looking to leave their own mark on the historic 4.5km of tarmac that make up the current layout. In the MotoGP class Jorge Lorenzo arrives on top form after picking up his fourth straight win last time out in Barcelona. The Mallorcan is still second in the provisional standings, a point behind his team-mate Valentino Rossi, and barring a radical turnaround in form and fortune, it seems as though the title fight will be between the pair from now until the end of the season.
The last two rounds have provided contrasting fortunes for the two POWER ELECTRONICS Aspar riders but both head to Holland with the same objective of a strong result this week. Nicky Hayden is determined to turn his fortunes around after crashing out of the last two races. The experienced American is not about to panic and knows that in general terms his pace and feeling with the bike are improving, so he is keen to back up his progress with points. Eugene Laverty has himself been in the points for the past three races and he is hopeful of continuing that form at a circuit where he has won races in the past. The Irishman will have available to him the new swingarm brought by Honda to the test that followed the GP of Catalunya.
Nicky Hayden: “Assen is a great circuit that always provides great races and I hope this can be a good weekend for us. We have stepped up our pace in qualifying over the past couple of rounds but now we need to back it up on race day, when it really counts. At Mugello I had a crash that wasn’t my fault and then I had another at Barcelona that was. It is a shame to have missed out on the points for two straight races so the plan is to get back on the right track at Assen. Usually the grip there is good and the track has some fast and fun corners. The test after the GP in Barcelona wasn’t too productive but at least we were able to confirm a couple of things with the electronics, which should be useful at Assen because it does tend to rain there. Hopefully we can pick up a good result for the team this weekend.”
Eugene Laverty: “Following three unfamiliar circuits I’m excited to return to a track that I know well. I’ve won races at Assen in both the World Supersport and Superbike championships so I’ll be gunning for a top finish there in MotoGP. We found our way again at the previous round in Barcelona and I’m feeling full of confidence again. The team continue to support me 100% plus Honda have stepped in to help us move forward which I’m extremely grateful for. Everything’s really starting to come together now”.