Team Guandalini Racing - Assen TT - Race Preview - 20 April 2009
After the disappointing weekend by our riders in Valencia, Team Guandalini is seeking good results on the tracks of Assen in the Netherlands. Although this historic circuit has undergone some changes and has lost the magic that once brought it the title of "Temple of Two Wheels", it still remains a wonderful circuit. In the past, joy and sorrow have marked the career of Director Pierfrancesco Chili, who was up 7 times on the podium with a victory-- four second places and two thirds.
Last year Team Guandalini got its best seasonal result with Jakub Smrz. Jakub was the fastest team member on the track in the qualifyng practice on Saturday and in both of the races, placing sixth and eighth respectively in the two rounds. There are high expectations for Brendan Roberts after positive signs were shown in the race at Valencia. This young Australian rider has the potential to achieve good results and it is time for the team to demonstrate to everyone what these good results are.
“Our Team leaves for Assen with the goal of bringing home the results we know we can get. We expect a good result from Jakub Smrz where here, last year, he got two good results in both rounds. We need to capitalize on scoring from a championship. Same for Brendan Roberts who was selected by the Team with the knowledge of a good pilot, but for now has taken great pains and now needs to demonstrate his true potential. Our results, at present, are far from our initial expectations; it is time for a quick reversal.”
Mirco Guandalini
“As I always had problems in Valencia, Assen is track where I usually made my best results and I hope for same this year. In Valencia I didn't feel comfortable on my bike and my team made really lot of work. Especially front chattering was really big deal for us. From 6 races I have 3 times 0 points what is really bad and I hope to get back where I should be, in the top 10. Honestly the old Assen was much better but I still like that track a lot and I am looking forward to racing in Holland where I spent lot of time in the past (racing on the Dutch Molenaar team), where I've got many friends and many fans as well. I just need some more good luck and to get back my feeling on the bike and I am sure Assen is the track I could fight for podium.”
Jakub Smrz
“Assen has been a circuit I have liked since I first raced there-- the flowing corners at the back of the circuit combined with the last corner chicane always brings out good, close racing! My confidence is high coming from Valencia where I felt I rode much more aggressively throughout the weekend, although the race results still eluded me. I'm really looking forward to the superpole. I have a better understanding of the Qualifying tyre and I hope to move more towards the front of the grid. This will be extremely important at Assen as the first section can get very tight and dangerous.“
Brendan Roberts