MotoGP 2006 - Round Three

Repsol Honda

The MotoGP field got its first taste of the revamped Assen circuit today as the practice sessions for the 2006 Dutch TT got underway. Repsol Honda riders Nicky Hayden and Dani Pedrosa familiarised themselves with the new layout which sees the fast corners of the North Loop replaced with a tighter section, reducing circuit length from 5.997km to 4.555km (2.830 miles). The changes to such a legendary circuit were set to divide opinion, and so it proved today with the riders expressing mixed feelings.

Championship leader Nicky Hayden enjoyed the challenge of the track changes while at the same time having a slightly frustrating day honing his Honda RC211V for the demands of the new layout. Rain has been a regular feature of this season and it was no surprise to see again it here in Assen, with the morning session being interrupted by intermittent light showers. In the tricky conditions, several riders came unstuck including Hayden who had a slow speed spill at the very tight left hander at turn three. The 24-year-old star from Kentucky, who holds a 20-point lead in the riders’ standings, was unhurt in the incident and finished the day having set the 10th fastest time with a 1m 39.142s lap, just 0.998s behind the leader.

His team-mate Pedrosa began in his usual cool, methodical manner, working up to speed steadily on the first day of practice. This weekend the 20-year-old MotoGP rookie is learning a new track as well as adapting to the demands of a MotoGP bike, and put in a time a fraction behind Hayden with a 1m 39.166s. Assen was the scene of the reigning 250cc World Champion’s first Grand Prix victory, in the 125cc class, yet after his first taste of the new layout though, Pedrosa, felt the track had lost some of its old character.

Tomorrow begins with another hour of MotoGP Free Practice before qualifying for 76th running of the Dutch TT takes place at 14.00 CET.

Nicky Hayden 10th – 1m 39.142s
“We’ve been in this position before and we’ve got some ideas to improve things for tomorrow. To try and get some more traction we’ve got the bike a little bit too soft, and that means it’s not steering so good in some of the corners. I really need to come in strong tomorrow, lower my lap-time consistently and get in a good number of fast laps to get myself a good starting position. You know, I hate starting out slow again – 10th in the first practice – but I’ll sit down with the boys and see what we can come up with. I actually quite like the new sections of track, especially Turn 2, though that left hander after it is pretty tight. Of course I liked the old track because it was unique, but this is another challenge and we’re going to figure out the best way to get around it.”

Dani Pedrosa 11th – 1m 39.166s
“There’s not so much to say about the morning because it was raining off-and-on which meant there wasn’t actually that much testing time. In the afternoon we had a dry practice and yet it was difficult for me to find a good line. At the end I improved a little, but not enough, so I’ll be working hard tomorrow to make some big improvements. It’s early days but I’m really not keen on the new track layout because when you think of Assen, you think of the part of the track that has been lost. Now it’s more like a usual track. Still, I’m looking forward to the race here.”

Makoto Tanaka - Team Manager
“Today I was looking forward to watching how the riding techniques would change for this new track layout, but with the tricky weather conditions I don’t think the riding pattern has settled down yet. Nicky was unlucky to have a small fall this morning when his foot touched the gear-change pedal, and perhaps he couldn’t get his best rhythm today after this. I’m sure he’ll be back on the pace tomorrow. Dani rode at his own pace today, and his position reflects his cautious approach. With good weather tomorrow I expect him to steadily improve and set a good grid position. At the last race there was a lot of drama and movement in the championship. As a team we need to concentrate, remain consistent and stay out of trouble, and make sure we’re in there fighting for the victory on Saturday.”

Fortuna Honda

FORTUNA HONDA rider Marco Melandri, involved in a terrible crash at the GP of Catalunya last weekend, was back on his Honda RC211V on Thursday at the first day of qualifying at the Dutch GP. Despite that heavy fall, the Italian’s physical condition is getting better although he still has pain in his back and neck. However, his team-mate Toni Elias who arrived at the newly-remodelled Assen full of hope and determination, suffered a crash after just two laps of the circuit. After that fall during the morning free session, the Spanish rider was forced to return to Barcelona where he will be examined by Doctor Xavier Mir. Elias has damaged his left shoulder where he has a broken bone. Toni, who attempted to continue riding despite the crash, was unable to continue because of the pain he was suffering.

MARCO MELANDRI (1’39.647, 14th):
“I am satisfied with how I feel as I never thought I would be here after the accident. We have taken a step forward today and getting back on the bike is a marvellous feeling. I am feeling better with each passing minute although I had a lot of pain in my neck after the qualifying sessions. I am happy to be back.”

TONI ELÍAS:
“It’s a shame that this accident has happened at the worst point of the season for me. I tried to get back on the circuit but the pain was too much. This evening I will travel to Barcelona where I will have a medical examination.”

Konica Minolta Honda

Under a grey and cloudy sky the riders officially took the first contact with the legendary Assen circuit after the modifications made this winter. The length of the track was shortened from 5,997 to roughly 4,750 metres and the so-called North Loop was altered causing the removal of a number of corners such as the S-corner, Haarbocht, Witterdiep, Madijik e Ossebroeken.

This morning, the riders had one hour and a half free practice session at their disposal, thirty minutes longer than usual just to have more time to dedicate to the first approach to the revamped Assen track. Light showers interrupted the first ninety minutes of test for three times forcing the riders to stop at the pit boxes for some minutes.

In the afternoon, with weather conditions nearly unchanged, the Japanese rider started, right from the beginning, to attack with his RC211V setting his fastest time with a 1’38.921” lap.

A fall due to a sliding on the third sector left corner, seventeen minutes before the end of the free practice session, impeded Makoto to improve his performance. The fastest time set on the twelfth lap, enables the KONICA MINOLTA Honda Team rider to obtain the eight place in the provisional sheets just 0.777s behind the leader.

Gianluca Montiron – KONICA MINOLTA Honda General Director
“Thanks to the new Michelin front tyre, already used during the latest Mugello test, Makoto’s situation has definitely improved. This tyre enables our rider to be more efficacious with his riding style and therefore, I feel the obligation to thank Michelin which developed this tyre even on the base of our indications. I hope it will give comfort to Makoto and permit him to find the right motivation to be competitive for the complete race duration.”

Makoto Tamada – KONICA MINOLTA Honda Rider
“I was curious to verify which could be the effect of the changes made to the Assen circuit. After this first day’s test I can say that I like the current track because it presents wider and more secure safety areas and the presence of new kerbs permit to have better riding references. The new asphalt surface seems to be good as well, there are no grip problems. I’m sorry for the fall because I had reached a good rhythm. Only one solution was left to try, the one which could allow us to improve furthermore. I’m not worried because the fall left no consequences and today is just the first day.”

LCR Honda

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