RESULT: AGGREGATE:

1 P. Casoli ITA (Yamaha Belgarda) 34’58.965
2 A. Pitt AUS (Fuchs Kawasaki) 35’01.422
3 J Whitham GBR (Yamaha Belgarda) 35’02.613
6 Kevin Curtain, AUS (BKM Honda) 35’08.234
15 Cristiano Migliorati, ITA (BKM Honda) 35’38.566

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS:

1 Yamaha Belgarda 147 points
2 Fuchs Kawasaki 136 points
3 Wilbers Suspension 126 points
4 BKM Honda 100 points

Weather: Changing conditions, both wet and dry, 16C. Track: Wet and dry, 17C.

RACE:

Declared a dry race but the horizon was telling a different story as black rain clouds loomed. Therefore the BKM team decided not to take up their position on the grid for the warm up lap. Preferring to start from the pit lane, placing them in an ideal situation to change tyres should the weather change and with the very unpredictable conditions at Assen they were not the only team to make this decision.

Kevin Curtain got a fantastic start and got stuck in with the front runners taking fourth place as he put in the fastest lap of 2’09.581. The rain started falling half way into the third lap and the race was red flagged. Migliorati had worked his way up to 18th place before the red flag.

RACE RE-START:

The high winds and sunshine dried the track giving the riders a difficult decision as the skies threatened rain again and the re-start was declared wet. Opting for dry tyres the team again started the warm up lap from the pit lane.

The second start was also a good one for the Australian Kevin Curtain, who was obviously enjoying his first ever race here on the TT circuit at Assen as he settled in 5th place. The pace was as hot as ever and Kevin was having some problems with his front forks and dropped a few places on the track but on aggregate time he remained in 6th place. He returned to 5th place (on aggregate time) when rival P. Riba retired from the race. As he crossed the line he was relegated to 6th place but the team were happy with his finish especially as during the penultimate and last lap the rain started falling heavily and the track was soaked as they took the chequered flag.

Migliorati was battling through the field and was able to put in his best lap times of the weekend (2’10.573) and take one championship point as he crossed the line in 15th place.

Kevin comments: "I was determined to keep up there at the start but I had a few moments when the forks bottomed out. The final laps were so slippery I saw Fujiwara go down and it could so easily have happened to any one of us. To come back next year would be great because this time round I’ve been learning the track.

Cristiano comments: "I am happy I could at least score one point for the team from my disappointing starting place. I was also happier in the race the bike was working well and I was able to push, my lap times were much better."

Team Manager Michael Bartholemy comments: "I am happy with the result, both riders scoring points has meant that we remain in fourth place in the championship. And although we can not improve on this we can still aim to be the first Honda team in the championship and that is important.

QUALIFYING POSITIONS FOR THE RACE:

1 K. Fujiwara JPN (Suzuki Alstare Corona) 2’08.497
2 P. Riba ESP (Ten Kate Honda) 2’08.553
3 P. Casoli ITA (Yamaha Belgarda) 2’09.015
8 K. CURTAIN AUS (BKM HONDA) 2’09.276
26 C.MIGLIORATI ITA (BKM HONDA) 2’11.471.

KEVIN ON THE SECOND ROW FOR RACE AT ASSEN

Weather: Wet and dry, 17C. Track: Wet and dry, 23C.

The weather at Assen has been affecting more than just the racers on the circuit. The paddock woke to find awnings and hospitality suites destroyed in the high winds during the night. Even the final qualifying session was interrupted when a pit lane awning was blown onto the track.

FINAL QUALIFYING:

BKM are happy with the final qualifying position of Kevin Curtain who will start tomorrows race from 8th place, the second row of the grid. The Australian concentrated on using the final qualifying session to make some minor improvements and was only moved down the leader board one place when another rider was lucky to get a fast lap in before the rain soaked the track. BKM’s Italian rider, Cristiano Migliorati, wanted to test a new set up but had his progress hindered by the ever-changing weather conditions, he made an improvement but it was not what he had aimed for.

Kevin comments: "I had no chance to regain my seventh place on the grid, when it poured down, but I’m still on row two and that’s what’s important. I’m happy the Michelin tyres are working well here and we’ve got a good dry and wet set up, everyone should have after the changing weather conditions. I guess that’s one positive thing that I’ll say about the weather here, it gives you the chance to ride in every possible condition. I’m also getting to know the this fast circuit and I like it, I’m looking forward to tomorrows race."

Cristiano comments: "The weather really didn’t help me today, I was pleased when the session started dry but then it started raining out the back of the circuit and then the session was cut short for me when the rain drenched the circuit. I had started to improve but I will still have to work hard in tomorrows race starting from 26th place."

Michael Bartholemy – Team Manager comments: "A good days work. We’ve put in many laps to give Kevin the chance to learn the track and to find a good set up. We made changes to the set up of Cristiano’s bike but the weather interrupted his progress. We are starting from a good position on the grid with Kevin who is positive about the race. Today has been good now we look for an even better result in the race."

Results Timed Practice First Session:

1 K. Fujiwara JPN (Suzuki Alstare Corona) 2’08.497
2 P. Riba ESP (Ten Kate Honda) 2’08.553
3 P. Casoli ITA (Yamaha Belgarda)
7 K. Curtain AUS (BKM HONDA) 2’09.276
27 C.Migliorati ITA (BKM HONDA) 2’11.940

CURTAIN ON THE PACE IN SEVENTH PLACE AT ASSEN

The race season is rapidly drawing to a close, just one week on from the German round at Oschersleben, we see the World Supersport Class move to the TT circuit at Assen for the penultimate and 10th round of championship.

FREE PRACTICE:

Kevin Curtain has never ridden the full TT Assen circuit before today, so it was his very first opportunity to learn this fast and technical circuit while at the same time find a good setting. Migliorati has experience of the circuit but after a disappointing DNF at Oschersleben he was using the session to find a better set up for this afternoons-qualifying session.

FRIDAY QUALIFYING: Weather: Started wet but drying, 16C. Track: Wet - drying, 18C.

Kevin comments: "I know that with each lap I learn the track and as I get to know it I can find more speed. I’m really happy with the Michelin tyres; they are being worked hard here, as the circuit is really abrasive. I was constantly making suspension changes as the track dried out, the team did a great job, we knew timing was going to be crucial and we made good decisions. My final tyre was not quite up to working temperature and it was not ideal. So I’m left to wonder what if. But we still have tomorrow and I enjoyed that session and now I’m feeling good I’m looking forward to getting back out there."

Cristiano Migliorati comments: "I have not found a good setting yet and until I do I can’t feel confident, I need to feel more from the bike before I can go faster here. I like this track so will do all I can to find a good set up"

Team Manager Michael Bartholemy comments: A good days work has been repaid with seventh place and a second row. I am happy and the fact that Kevin has no previous circuit knowledge here proves just how hard he rode. It is also a credit to the team; they also worked hard in the tricky conditions. It’s me who has to admit to making an error I am to blame for Kevin’s final tyre not being hot enough. It’s not just Kevin who is wondering where we could have been on the grid had it have been up to temperature. We aim to build on what we have achieved today as BKM are always looking for pole and tomorrow is another day."