World SuperSport 2003 - Round 9 - Assen

After an extended summer vacation the World Supersport Championship contenders gather together in Northern Holland this Friday, to challenge at the unique and timeless Assen circuit once more. Sometimes referred to as the 'Cathedral' of bike racing, sometimes called the 'Riders' Academy', Assen is a modern classic with a long history. Its current 6.027km length and 24 corners present a genuine challenge even to riders of the calibre of runaway World Championship leader Chris Vermeulen (Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR).

With five free weekends since the previous round at Brands Hatch for most of the competitors, many have made use of their leisure time to relax and recharge their batteries for the end of season push. For some, like Vermeulen, the thrill of competition has punctuated the holiday period.

The young Aussie, only 21-years-old and one of eight supported Honda riders in this year's championship fight, competed at the shorter national-level Assen circuit some four weeks ago, as part of the Dutch Championships. Vermeulen's experience of Supersport machinery and his rapid Ten Kate Honda have been a devastating combination this year, pushing him fully 37 points clear of his closest competitor Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Yamaha), with only three races to go.

Vermeulen, an uncomplicated character with a mature head on young shoulders, acknowledges that his recent experiences at Assen even the shorter version of the multiple cambered track may give him an edge on many of his regular competitors.

"Assen should be good for us, partly because the track is so close to the team's base, and it will be a home round of sorts," said Vermeulen in the run up to the Dutch event. "We did a National Championship race and although we didn't use the full track we'll be racing on in the World Championship event, it does give you a feel for it. I think it will be an advantage for us, especially if it rains, because we have good base settings for the bike in the dry. We don't have to worry too much if practice is wet but the race itself is dry."

One of four factory Honda riders to have already tasted the Assen circuit in the aforementioned Dutch National race was Vermeulen's team-mate, Karl Muggeridge (Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR).

"It was good to be able to race at Assen and we have already got reasonably good settings for the race. So a lot of the set-up work is no longer ahead of us anymore and that makes us confident for the race itself," said Muggeridge. "We only raced the last time on the shorter National circuit but all the information we gathered will be useful this weekend."

Robert Ulm (Klaffi Honda CBR600RR) eagerly anticipates one of his favourite circuits of the season, an unusual choice for a rider who normally prefers slower tracks such as Valencia or Misano.

"I have only tested a racebike in my head since the break but I have had two Supermoto races, one in Germany and one in Austria," said the long time World Superbike rider. "The race results themselves were not so good but it is very good training for machine control so I am happy and ready for Assen. It's a nice circuit for me, a safe track, and I like the fact that there are so many corners."

Sebastien Charpentier (Klaffi Honda CBR600RR) grabbed the unexpected chance to shine in the Klaffi Honda team this year with both hands, and he sees Assen as another circuit he has a realistic chance to score a podium at.

"My feel for Assen is very, very good," enthused the Frenchman. "I like the track because last year I was fifth in practice, even though my bike was not the fastest. This year the machine is much better so to be at Assen, with the new bike, the new team, my physical condition being OK this is perfect! Assen is normally a pleasure for me in any case."

Iain Macpherson (van Zon Honda CBR600RR) sharpened his Assen build-up at the recent Dutch National Championship race, behind the two Ten Kate Machines of Vermeulen and Muggeridge.

"I was third at the Assen race but Vermeulen and Muggeridge pulled away from me a little," stated Macpherson. "I couldn't understand it at first because I knew I was riding quite well and the bike set-up was good. Those two are riding particularly well but I found out later they were also trying out some new parts. If you do not have quite the same level of equipment as the opposition it's even more difficult. At Assen we should have exactly the same spec of machine as them so that's going to be very welcome."

Werner Daemen (van Zon Honda CBR600RR) turned around his misfortune in the Dutch National at Assen to plan his strategy for the forthcoming WSS round.

"I also raced at Assen after Brands only on the little circuit," stated the Belgian protagonist. "It was useful for set-up and we learned some good information about race tyres. The tyre I used in the race was unable to go the full distance so we know which tyre to use for the World Championship race distance if the temperatures are the same of course."

After the Assen race round ten of the championship will take place at another classically sculpted race circuit, Imola in Italy on September 28.

Addendum...

The BKM Dark Dog Honda team have announced their withdrawal from the Supersport World Championship with immediate effect. The two-man team of Australian Broc Parkes and Frenchman Christophe Cogan will not race at the Dutch round of the series that takes place at Assen this coming weekend, September 5 - 7.

BKM team manager Michael Bartholemy cited budget problems for the teams demise. He said: "The missing payments of one of my sponsors makes it impossible to cover the ongoing costs. The respective sponsor has not fulfilled our agreement. For us it is a hard decision particularly with regard to the already signed two-year (2003 - 2004) contract with our main sponsor Dark Dog who has always given us the accorded support."