Preview - Suzuki

After a couple of weeks break Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra are refreshed and ready for the ninth round of this year’s championship at Assen in Holland this weekend.

The Assen round marks the first of four rounds taking place in just six weekends and so all at Alstare are eager to get things rolling with a good performance. Assen has been a long-standing favourite of riders and fans alike, but this year the track has been dramatically changed and will be a new experience for all concerned.

The major changes have taken place in the Northern Loop section and now riders will have to negotiate a series of slow turns before beginning the back straight.

Both Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra riders Troy Corser and Yukio Kagayama are determined to finish the last four rounds strongly on their GSX-R1000s and are looking for podium places at Assen.

Troy Corser:
“I was at a presentation at Assen recently and had an opportunity to look at the new layout - from a course car. For me, Assen always was a fantastic track - flowing and a blast to ride. From my two laps in the course car last week, I think that it is now a completely different track to ride and the first five or six turns are going to ruin the flowing nature of the track somewhat. I don’t think the new layout is going to suit our bike so well and getting the gearing right for the first part is going to have an effect on the second part. The set-up is going to have to be a compromise for sure and it’ll be vital to get a good set-up as quickly as you can and then make really good starts in both races or you’ll be left behind and struggling. I will need to qualify well and be at the front of the pack to have any chance of podiums - that’s the plan.”

Yukio Kagayama:
“The new Assen layout is very different and I don’t think it is going to be as good as before - too many slow corners! I like big, fast turns. But, this new design will be different for everybody, so it is up to me to learn it quickly and get a good bike set-up. I have had a good break and now I cannot wait to get on to my race bike again. After my success in Brno, I want to get podiums in all the last four rounds and end the season well. I am sure that Assen will not be easy, but I will try my hardest - as usual - and go 110% for the podium.”