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TT Assen: Pramac Racing preview

CANEPA ILL IN ASSEN. KALLIO ENERGIZED AFTER BARCELONA TEST After having participated to last Wednesday's press conference to present the Dutch Grand Prix, Niccolo Canepa is back in the prestigious Assen circuit not in the best physical conditions ...

Published: Oct 2, 2009, 4:42 PM

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CANEPA ILL IN ASSEN. KALLIO ENERGIZED AFTER BARCELONA TEST

After having participated to last Wednesday's press conference to present the Dutch Grand Prix, Niccolo Canepa is back in the prestigious Assen circuit not in the best physical conditions due to influenza. The Pramac Racing rider is now recovering and will try to be at his best for tomorrow afternoon free practice. On this track the Italian rider made his debut in a European competition: it was in 2004 when he has ridden for the first time in the Superstock 1000.

His teammate, Mika Kallio, is in great form also thanks to the good results achieved in the last test in Barcelona, when also thanks to some technical updates, he registered the fourth best lap time. The Finnish rider really appreciates Assen circuit and believes to be able to have a good race. In 2006, when he was competing in the 125cc class, he conquered here victory starting from pole position.

Assen circuit is the only one that since 1949, when the World Championship was created, where a race has been organized every year. For this reason and with the high average speed allowed by the lines of this track, Assen circuit is known as the "University of Motorcycle racing". The track is 4555 meters long and it has 11 right turns and 6 left turns. The main straight is 560 meters long.

Fabiano Sterlacchini - Pramac Racing Technical Director

"We arrive here in Assen with a lot of trust. During the day of testing in Barcelona we reached a really competitive level and also here we will have the same updates that should help us to improve. We have some other small updates but we will evaluate only tomorrow if we will use them or not. Mika is really concentrated and on this track he has already achieved good results in the past. Hopefully he will be able to repeat with us. Niccolo arrives here a bit ill but we hope he can be as his best for tomorrow first free practice."

Mika Kallio - Pramac Racing rider

"This has usually been for me a favorable track in the past. In 2006, when I was riding in 125cc, I won starting from pole position. In the past years also Ducati achieved some positive results here and therefore we can aim at a good result. For sure I preferred the track a few years ago, now the first part is too slow. The things I like the most of this circuit is the atmosphere there is thanks to the great fans that come here. I can breathe a marvelous ambient with true motorcycle fans. Here there is history and we can see it."

Niccolo Canepa - Pramac Racing rider

"Five years ago I have done my European debut on this track. I was 16 and I was riding for Kawasaki Bertocchi in the Superstock 1000 World Cup and if my memory isn't too bad I concluded in 22nd position. Who knew that I would have come here five years later in the top class of motorcycle racing? I have done many sacrifices to arrive here and I know I have still many to do. I am trying to use in the best way possible this first year to learn the secrets of this new world. It hasn't be easy to get used to it, but time is on my side. I was ill in the past few days and I hope I'll better tomorrow when the time to step on track will come."

-credit: pramac

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