Gauloises TT Assen
READY FOR THE TEST AT ASSEN
As was the case at Mugello and Catalunya, David Checa will
ride with Ruben Xaus for the Fortuna Yamaha team at Assen
as Toni Elias is still not recovered from the injuries sustained
after his fall at Le Mans. After consulting doctors, Elias
decided to delay his return until the American GP in California
on July 10. Although assen is a circuit that the Spaniard
likes a lot, he has opted not to return until he is 100 percent
fit. On a day of scorching weather conditions for these parts,
Ruben Xaus – who was fifth in the morning – ended
the day in 14th spot, 2’033 behind the day’s main
protagonist Loris Capirossi. Xaus fell on his final lap of
the day, escaping unhurt, but once again demonstrated he is
adapting well to the MotoGP Championship. Ruben has high hopes
for Saturday at a circuit where he has always performed well.
David Checa, who was triumphant here last year at the 500
kms of Assen, struggled to settle and was 17th at the end
of the day.
Ruben Xaus (11):
(Free session 1: 2.02.986, 11th + 1.983 – 21/22 laps)
(Qualifying session 2: 2.02.790, 14th + 2.033 -10/22 laps)
“We are working well. The fall on the last lap was
a shame; the front end went and, although I was initially
able to control it, I could not avoid falling as it was leaning
too much. I found a good rhythm, the bike is going better
all the time but there are still some small errors we need
to correct which allow you to make up time on the top riders.
Assen is a very demanding circuit and you can see that from
the amount of time I had to go back to the box, so we will
have to keep on working hard. But I am very satisfied with
how things went on this first day.”
David Checa (94):
(Free session: 2.05.055, 17th + 4.052 – 21/22 laps)
(Qualifying session 2: 2.04.259, 17th + 3.502 - 21/22 laps)
“This is one of the most difficult circuits in the
Championship, more demanding than Mugello or Montmelo of course.
Today I just had to settle for doing a few laps to acclimatise
to the track on this Yamaha and I tried to lower my times
in the afternoon. However, I still don’t have the confidence
necessary to find the perfect set-up. I am happy, but there
is still a lot to do and time for me to learn.”
|
