PREVIEW / GRAND PRIX OF ASSEN
HIGH HOPES FOR ASSEN
A gruelling run of three races in three weekends enters phase
two this week after a major transport mission to move the
paddock from Barcelona in Spain to Assen in Holland. On Monday
the teams and riders began arriving at the legendary circuit
where the race is traditionally held on a Saturday. For Marco
Melandri, Loris Capirossi and Sete Gibernau, the three riders
injured in the first corner crash at the Catalunya Grand Prix
on Sunday, their recovery process has become a race against
time. Fortuna Honda rider Marco Melandri has progressed well
and on Tuesday was released from the General Hospital of Catalunya,
where he had remained since the horrific crash at the start
of Sunday’s race. Marco, who suffered a dislocation
of the acromion-clavicular and mild concussion, has undergone
intense therapy and with typical strength and determination
he is recovering in record time. Despite pain and stiffness
in his neck he is looking forward optimistically to this weekend.
Melandri was accompanied by Dr Claudio Costa on the flight
to Amsterdam, where he took a train to Groningen. He will
now undergo more physio with the Clinica Mobile staff in attempt
to get fit for this weekend. His participation is still not
confirmed and a decision will not be made until he has undergone
all the necessary checks and has the all-clear from both the
Italian and Dutch doctors.
MARCO MELANDRI:
“Thanks to the treatment I have undergone I am able
to say I am feeling quite positive. The two days I spent in
hospital allowed me to rest and recover strength. On Monday
I was already out of the bed and walking around a little.
I’m still in a lot of pain but I feel better in my head.
I travelled with Doctor Costa to Assen and I hope to be back
on track on Thursday if my condition allows.
Assen has always been one of my favourtie circuits. I’ve
seen the design of the changes and they’ve removed one
of the most technical and demanding parts of the track so
this could make it a little easier on my neck.”
On Tuesday his team-mate Toni Elias also arrived in Holland,
where he is determined to recover his form after a crash in
front of his home fans in Barcelona.
TONI ELIAS:
“ Assen is my favourite circuit – it is technical,
fast and demanding. I hope I can have a good race and end
it with a positive result after the problems we had in Barcelona.
I still can’t ride as I would like because we are struggling
for grip. The Dutch TT is an extra motivation to do well and
I hope it can be the start to a run of good results, but my
main concern at the moment is my team-mate. I wish Marco a
quick recovery.”
A TRACK TO REDISCOVER
The championship arrives at Assen - an historic fixture on
the calendar thanks to the long tradition of the Dutch TT
and the only track to have hosted a round of the World Championship
every year since its conception in 1949.
Since then the forward thinking Assen means it has developed
with the series and with a contract up until 2016 the track
is set to remain as a key date on the motorsport calendar.
This year Assen holds a new challenge – the track has
been changed profoundly in order to give its spectators, who
come from all over Europe, an improved facility.
With the aim of creating 7,000 new parking places next to
the track and the creation of the “TT World” amusement
park, the North Loop section of the circuit has been redesigned
and the track length reduced from 6,027 metres to 4,555 –
reducing the number of right hand corners from 14 to 6. There
are also two less left-handers, which now number 11. The North
Loop modification mean there is now no S-curve, Haarbocht,
Witterdiep or Osserbroeken corners whilst the Haarbocht and
Strubbon bends have been redesigned.
These modifications turn a new page in the history of the
Dutch TT. The historic circuit leaves behind many unforgettable
memories of a place adored by riders of many generations because
of its speed and technical demands, which made rider skill
the most important attribute.
On Thursday morning the riders will take to the new Assen
track and decide whether it remains close to their hearts
as the best circuit in the world and the true ‘cathedral’
of motorcycle racing.
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