Team Suzuki Press Office – June 26.
The TT Circuit of Assen is known as ‘The Cathedral’ and even hearing this name fills fans and teams alike with adrenaline and anticipation. So, it is with a lot of excitement that Team SUZUKI ECSTAR arrives in the Netherlands for the 8th round of 2019.
Already feeling strong, thanks to the run of solid performances done so far this year, Alex Rins is also boosted by the memory of the extraordinary race he did last year at the Dutch circuit, with a thrilling fight and an incredible number of overtakes. In addition, the test carried out right after the Catalan GP gave the Spaniard some extra positivity.
The fast and flowing layout of the TT of Assen Circuit should suit Joan Mir too, especially as the young rookie has finally found reassuring confidence with his GSX-RR and has begun to show his true potential.
The TT Circuit of Assen is a very unusual one, it has the shortest straight of the Championship (487mt), but it also boasts the fastest corner of the season (Turn 13, ridden at 244 km/h). Riders brake at only 10 out of the 18 corners on track, and being a smooth and serpentine circuit, the race is expected to be good for the GSX-RR.
Davide Brivio – Team Manager
“The test we did in Catalunya last week gave us important information and also interesting feedback. We are now evaluating if some of the solutions should be used already in Assen, or if we need some further investigation. In any case, we start Assen with positivity, especially following the good race that Alex put together here in 2018. The circuit layout may suit our machine characteristics, so we will work with our usual program to prepare for the race in the best way possible. Joan is also on good form, he found more feeling with his bike and his confidence is getting better and better, we hope this will see him achieve the results he deserves.”
Alex Rins
“For sure I’m excited to arrive in Assen, it is the race where I got my first second place in MotoGP, last year, after a very fierce but fun battle. Indeed, the fights and overtakes are expected to be plentiful in this year’s GP. The circuit is very small but very flowing, I think it could suit our GSX-RR.”
Joan Mir
“I’m still very happy about the last race in Catalunya, but I’m also happy to go to Assen, which is a unique and legendary track. It is kind of difficult for a rookie because it has very fast parts combined with very slow, so the balance of the bike is crucial, and also being able to adapt the riding style very quickly and many times in a single lap is important. Also, the weather can be a variable, so we will need to give our best and manage situations quickly. I’m positive because we’ve found a good way of working and we are following the right steps, improving little by little and getting stronger.”
TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS OF TT CIRCUIT OF ASSEN
Frankie Carchedi – Joan Mir’s Crew Chief:
“Assen is a very flowing track with a lot of high speed changes of direction, but it is very much affected by the weather – it can be anything from hot and sunny to really cold and wet – so you have to be prepared for every scenario, which is perhaps the biggest challenge from a technical point of view. The aerodynamic package can help to keep the front grounded in the corners, so that will come into play here more than at some circuits. However, it’s a well-balanced track that doesn’t really suit one manufacturer more than others, but our bike certainly does suit fast and flowing corners, so we hope for a good race!”
