After a successful round at their home track in Assen in which the HANNspree Ten Kate Honda showed its dominance in the Supersport race and took a second and third place in the Superbike races, the team is now in Italy for the 5th round of the series at the Autodromo Nazionale in Monza.
Andrew Pitt, Honda CBR600RRAndrew Pitt bounced back strongly after suffering two DNF’s earlier in the season and showed his dominance in the Supersport race in Assen. Pitt, who currently holds a second place in the championship, was eager to put some points on the board for the team to defend their World Supersport Title and battled up front with his teammate Jonathan Rea in what was by far the most exciting Supersport race of the season. Following his great performance, Pitt now remains 20 points off the leading man in the series, Spaniard Lascorz and is eager to close the gap and take the lead. Parkes and Foret remain only a few points behind Pitt, so it looks like the battle will be on again in Monza:
”I am looking forward to the race in Monza this weekend. I really enjoy riding this fast track and there is always a good atmosphere. Its one of the last remaining old style circuits and a big event for our sponsors.”
“After my successful race in Assen, my confidence is high again and I’m eager to repeat my performance and put another win on the board.”
“If we can find the right set up and pace through the qualifying sessions I’m confident about my changes to fight at the front of the field once again.”
“I hope the battle will not be as tight as it was in Assen, but I expect it will be, as there is only a marginal point difference between the guys in the top of the Championship.”
Jonathan Rea, Honda CBR600RRJonathan Rea showed his best performance in the World Supersport series so far and took second in Assen behind teammate Andrew Pitt. Jonathan, who only made his first outing on the Assen track two weeks ago, faces another new track in Monza on which he has no previous experience:
"I am really excited about the new track, I’ve watched it on television many times but haven’t experienced it myself."
“My aim is to come out of this weekend in the front line of the Championship. After my DNF in Qatar I have worked hard on finishing my races and have managed to narrow the gap with the other riders.”
“My confidence with the tyres is growing and I feel I can battle for a top position. I want to swap my second position of the last race in Assen into a first in Monza"
“The track in Monza is fast and it will be difficult for people to break away from the group. I expect the battle to take place in the last lap and hope I will be in the right place at the right time to fight for a top finish.”
Carlos Checa, Honda CBR1000RR Carlos Checa was the only man to come close to Troy Bayliss in the first Superbike race and claimed a second spot behind the series’ leader and a third spot in the second race. The Spanish rider now holds a second place in the Championship behind Bayliss:
“After our successful race at the team’s home track in Assen we want to continue the progress and will not change too much on the bike ahead of the next race in Monza.”
“Monza is a new track for me, but judging the layout of the circuit I think it will suit me and I shouldn’t take me too long to familiarizes myself with the track.”
“The engine performance will be important on a track like Monza and we will specifically have to focus on the chicanes. We’ll need to use the full potential of the bike on a fast track like Monza.”
“Its always good to race in Italy, I heard they expect many people to visit track this weekend and it will be busy in the paddock, so I hope we can give them some exciting races to watch.”
“I hope I can put some pressure on Troy Bayliss and narrow the gap between us.”
Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda CBR1000RRRyuichi Kiyonari hasn’t had the luckiest of races in Assen. After finishing the first race in 7th place he had to end the second race prematurely due to a broken clamp of his steering damper:
"I was hoping to continue my progress for the team’s home race in Assen but haven’t been very fortunate.”
”My crash in the free practice session didn’t give me the chance to test the qualifiers and set a good result in the Superpole, I hope I can do better in Monza.”
“Monza is a new track to me, but I will have to familiarise myself with the track quickly and keep my lap times continuously on this fast track. In Assen I have tried to improve my starts and increase my corner speed, hopefully I can continue doing so in the races and make my way to the front of the field.”
Kenan Sofuoglu, Honda CBR1000RRKenan Sofuoglu wasn’t satisfied with his performance on his favourite home track in Assen and still finds it hard to bridge the gap with the top 10:
"I still struggle with my riding style on the CBR1000RR and. The set up of the bike seems to be fine, I just cant put my finger on why my performance hasn’t improved that much."
“My last race in Assen was far from satisfactory for me, but I have set my goal for Monza realistically and hope to be able to ride a consistent race and narrow the gap with the riders in front.”
“I need a good race to boost my confidence. I am eager to succeed"
