Assen Superbike: surprises and victories for the Nolan Group riders!
This year’s Assen race will be remembered for the changes & disruption the weather caused, pushing the organisers into reverting to a more traditional Superbike race weekend.
Chaz Davies will be slightly disappointed after his podium at Aragon last time out, to only get 7th & 5th this weekend, despite battling hard throughout. Markus Reiterberger was our highest placement this weekend, 6th in both races, a great achievement for him! Success also for Federica Caricasulo in Supersport, finishing top of the pile!
Less fortunate for for Leon Camier, Marco Melandri & Rinaldi, all fighting technical issues, all expecting to come back fighting at our home race of Imola next round!
Let us know if you’ll be there on our social media channels, we’re always ready to share experiences with our products!
Superbike
Markus Reiterberger RACE1 SIXTH – RACE2 SIXTH
“I had a fantastic start into the first race and was able to stay a few laps with the leader. We changed one tyre at the grid as it was a bit warmer than expected at the end. The first laps were great, but after the seventh/eighth lap I started to get problems with the rear grip. I had a lot of movement from the bike while entering and leaving the corners and went too wide a couple of times therefore. Because of all the movements I had problems with the arm-pump too. But I saved the sixth position and I am really happy about that.
The second race was good. We adjusted the balance of the bike a bit. Unfortunately the second start into the race was not as good as the first one and we lost some positions. I was caught up in the traffic in turn five, but I was able to keep the level for quite some time. At the end I even had an eye on fifth place and was directly behind Haslam and Davies. I caught up and could outdrive my teammate a little bit. But then I lost a lot of time behind Haslam and place five was gone. Davies drove off. My teammate also almost caught up on me. I secured the sixth position just in time.
Again we did some steps forward with the bike and I felt very comfortable over the whole weekend. We are were we should be now. Both riders are on the same level. I hope for some more improvements of the chassis for the next races and I want to thank my team for their fantastic effort during this weekend once again. I am very happy with my results.“
Chaz Davies Race1 SEVENTH – RACE2 FIFTH
“Jumping onto the podium at Aragón was great then coming here and not getting a podium could be a bit of a disappointment, but I felt like I put together a decent second race. The first race was tough, I had a bit of contact with Johnny in the first corner, got pushed out and just didn’t make any progression in the race. The second race was good, I got a decent start and got up to second for a lap but then just struggled a bit with the balance of the bike after six or seven laps and in the longer corners in particular. We need to look at that and become more comfortable in these areas. It would have been nice to stay in the fight close to the podium, but it just goes to show that we have some work to do to improve in every track.”
Leon Camier Race1 ELEVENTH – RACE2 TWELFTH
“For sure we want to do better, and we will keep working with that target in mind but all in all I honestly enjoyed the races today. I feel we were able to get the most from the package we have, which is good. We managed to win the battle with the guys we were competing against, Eugene (Laverty) and Marco (Melandri), guys who have won a lot of races. We’ll keep a constructive mentality and see what Imola will bring us.”
Supersport
FEDERICO CARICASULO FIRST
“I chose a hard tire in front and so I didn’t push in the first few laps and they passed me in many. Later I took my pace and made many passes. Once I reached Randy I tried to keep the tires. I knew that I could not have overcome it in the last sector and therefore I had only to overcome it at turn eight. At the entrance to the last chicane I was very close, but I managed to stay ahead and win. And to think that this is one of the tracks that I like the least….. Now let’s think about the next round at Imola, one of my favorite tracks, where I want to continue my winning trend. I want to thank my team that once again did a perfect job.”