YRC News
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WSB : Double podium sees Haga move up
Round: 9 - Netherlands
Circuit: Assen
Date: 4 September 2005
Crowd: 80000
Temp: 23ēC
Weather: Sunny
Noriyuki Haga moved up to fourth place in the 2005 Superbike World Championship
with two podium finishes at Assen today.
The Japanese rider finished third and second in the day's two thrilling 16 lap
races at the classic Dutch circuit, duelling it out for second place behind
world champion James Toseland (Ducati) in the opener and race one winner Chris
Vermeulen (Honda) in the second.
Race one proved to be an easy win for Vermeulen, but the crowd was thrilled by
the battle behind. Toseland and Haga traded places throughout, with the young
Englishman pulling away to take second in the closing laps.
The second outing proved equally as thrilling with Haga and Vermeulen battling
for the lead, this time the Aussie getting to the line less than a tenth of a
second ahead of the Yamaha man.
Race two marked Haga's 150th in the class and his 100th racing Yamaha equipment.
Following the race, the popular Japanese was reunited with the YZF750 and YZF-R7
machines he rode with such success as Yamaha Motor Italia's racing manager
Claudio Consonni raised a champagne toast to the brand's most successful world
superbike racer.
Haga's Yamaha Motor Italia team-mate Andrew Pitt had his best collective pair of
races of the season, taking home 22 points for a brace of fifth places. The
Australian rode strongly throughout, battling with the leading trio and
championship leader Troy Corser (Suzuki) in both races, before succumbing to
tyre chatter and ending settling for his welcome fifths.
Yamaha Motor France pairing Norick Abe and Sebastien Gimbert had differing
fortunes, although both left the Netherlands each with seven more points to
their name. Abe retired from the opener but came back to take ninth in race two.
Gimbert had his best outing since round three in the Valencia with 12th in race
one and 13th in the second.
Haga's 36 point haul moves him up to fourth place in the title race, ahead of
countryman Yukio Kagayama (Suzuki) and just nine points behind third placed
Regis Laconi (Ducati), who was absent through injury. Pitt remains in ninth
place in the standings, albeit with a reduced gap to eighth. The Australian is
just 11 points shy of Pierfrancesco Chili (Honda), with Abe slipping back to
11th. Corser continues to lead the standings, with an 86 point advantage over
second placed Vermeulen.
Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia)
"We made great races with James and Chris. I was a little bit disappointed with
the final result of both races because if I had lasted one more lap I would have
tried something more to push. It was hot and sweat was already affecting my eyes
after three laps. In the last two or three laps I felt like I was going to give
up but I didn't and the result I know is not so bad."
Andrew Pitt (Yamaha Motor Italia)
"It's getting better. We are starting to fight with them now but we've just got
to get on that podium! We used the regular engine spec, because we know where
the position of the bike has to be now and when you've got the confidence to
just grab the brakes and fire it into corners it really helps. At this moment I
don't want to change too much on the machine."
Norick Abe (Yamaha Motor France)
"In the first race we had a broken engine so we had to change the motors. But I
think that the clutch on that engine was already no good. So I could not make a
good start. In the race it was very difficult to shift down - so we had some bad
luck. Knowing Assen from MotoGP helps a little but when the bike is completely
different from the one before, it makes the whole experience very different."
Sebastien Gimbert (Yamaha Motor France)
"A good race for me and for my team. I had a little difficulty with the set-up,
the balance of the motorcycle, but it was not so bad. The leg is still causing
me a little problem but it should be a lot better for next week."
Massimo Meregalli (Team Coordinator - Yamaha Motor Italia)
"In Brno we said, 'ok, maybe we are lucky,' but to win also in Brands Hatch and
be so close to the wins here means we are close to the best. Noriyuki used the
new engine, so we were a little bit worried, took a big risk, but in the race it
was ok. I am happy for both our riders because Andrew made a good race today,
close to Troy Corser and was always trying to overtake him."
Martial Garcia (Team Manager - Yamaha Motor France)
"We lost Abe from the first race because of a stone holing the radiator, so the
engine boiled. He did not see the increasing engine temperature, unfortunately.
We put in the spare engine and the clutch was too hard, so he lost the start -
that's why he stayed in ninth position. Sebastien seems better, took some points
and moved up a position. The main thing is that his confidence is coming back."
Race classification WSB
Round: 9 - Netherlands
Circuit: Assen
Circuit Length: 5997m
Lap Record: 2' 4.685 (Chris Vermeulen, 2005)
Fastest Lap Ever: 2' 4.179 (Chris Vermeulen, 2005)
Race: 16 Laps
Pos.Rider Manufacturer Nat. Total Time
1 C. Vermeulen Honda AUS 33'36.029
2 J. Toseland Ducati GBR +3.396
3 N. Haga Yamaha JPN +4.876
4 T. Corser Suzuki AUS +6.815
5 A. Pitt Yamaha AUS +10.075
6 Y. Kagayama Suzuki JPN +12.526
7 L. Lanzi Ducati ITA +12.661
8 M. Neukirchner Honda GER +20.595
9 K. Muggeridge Honda AUS +20.872
10 P. Chili Honda ITA +27.691
11 I. Clementi Ducati ITA +36.444
12 S. Gimbert Yamaha FRA +36.844
13 G. McCoy Petronas AUS +37.012
14 S. Martin Petronas AUS +39.262
15 G. Bussei Kawasaki ITA +39.339
16 G. Vizziello Yamaha ITA +40.702
17 J. Cardoso Yamaha ESP +48.399
21 M. Praia Yamaha POR +1'27.412
Race 2: 16 Laps
Pos.Rider Manufacturer Nat. Total Time
1 C. Vermeulen Honda AUS 33'34.053
2 N. Haga Yamaha JPN +0.085
3 J. Toseland Ducati GBR +3.318
4 T. Corser Suzuki AUS +5.938
5 A. Pitt Yamaha AUS +6.394
6 L. Lanzi Ducati ITA +16.480
7 M. Neukirchner Honda GER +17.255
8 K. Muggeridge Honda AUS +22.338
9 N. Abe Yamaha JPN +30.801
10 B. Bostrom Honda USA +34.071
11 Y. Kagayama Suzuki JPN +36.480
12 G. McCoy Petronas AUS +36.658
13 S. Gimbert Yamaha FRA +37.165
14 P. Chili Honda ITA +37.888
15 G. Bussei Kawasaki ITA +38.414
Fastest Race Lap:
Pos.Rider Manufacturer Nat. Total Time
1 C. Vermeulen Honda AUS 2' 4.685
Championship standings WSB
Pos.Rider Manufacturer Nat. Points
1 Troy Corser Suzuki AUS 370
2 Chris Vermeulen Honda AUS 284
3 Regis Laconi Ducati FRA 214
4 Noriyuki Haga Yamaha JPN 203
5 James Toseland Ducati GBR 197
6 Yukio Kagayama Suzuki JPN 187
7 Chris Walker Kawasaki GBR 130
8 Pierfrancesco Chili Honda ITA 119
9 Andrew Pitt Yamaha AUS 117
10 Karl Muggeridge Honda AUS 100
11 Norifumi Abe Yamaha JPN 95
12 Lorenzo Lanzi Ducati ITA 85
13 Max Neukirchner Honda GER 80
14 Giovanni Bussei Kawasaki ITA 48
15 Ben Bostrom Honda USA 39
16 Sebastien Gimbert Yamaha FRA 35
Manufacturers standings WSB
Pos.Manufacturer Points
1 Suzuki 379
2 Honda 300
3 Ducati 293
4 Yamaha 244
5 Kawasaki 145
6 Petronas 25
WSS : Curtain just misses Assen podium
Round: 9 - Netherlands
Circuit: Assen
Date: 4 September 2005
Crowd: 80000
Temp: 24ēC
Weather: Sunny
Kevin Curtain rode a strong and determined race to cut through the pack to take
fourth place at round nine of the Supersport World Championship in Assen.
The veteran Australian made a poor start but charged through to join the six
rider battle for the lead. The Yamaha R6 rider was able to drop Katsuaki
Fujiwara (Honda) in the closing stages, but despite some determined moves he was
unable to dislodge Michel Fabrizio (Honda) from the final podium spot, missing
out by just two tenths of a second at the flag.
Yamaha Motor Germany team-mate Broc Parkes rode a lonely race to seventh place.
Starting on the third row, the 23-year-old was able to make up several places in
the opening laps before settling into a rhythm in seventh. Parkes ended the day
six seconds behind sixth placed Robbin Harms (Honda) but nine in front of former
champion Stephane Chambon (Honda) in eighth.
The race was won by Fabien Foret (Honda), with fellow Frenchman Sebastien
Charpentier (Honda) taking second place to claim the title. Charpentier's
team-mate Fujiwara ended today's race in fifth, reducing his advantage to just
five points over Curtain in the battle for vice-champion. Parkes' seventh place
sees him retain that position in the championship.
Kevin Curtain
"I got a terrible start and rode as hard as I could but it was tough because the
Hondas just have that edge on us coming out of the corners. Our bike is really
strong at the top end but always they were making a little bit on us out of the
turn, which meant I was having to ride so hard. I did well to be into the
leading group and rode as good as I could today. We've closed the gap to
Fujiwara though and I'm targeting second in the championship now."
Broc Parkes
"A tough and lonely race today. I made up a few places in the opening laps but
from then on I was riding around on my own in seventh place. I thought I might
be able to catch the guys in front but they were just a bit too far ahead and I
had to settle into my own race. The Honda guys seemed to have it a bit easier
around here today but at least I've only got a week before the next race."
Race classification WSS
Round: 9 - Netherlands
Circuit: Assen
Circuit Length: 5997m
Lap Record: 2' 8.865 (Katsuaki Fujiwara, 2005)
Fastest Lap Ever: 2' 8.165 (Sebastien Charpentier, 2005)
Race: 16 Laps
Pos.Rider Manufacturer Nat. Total Time
1 F. Foret Honda FRA 34'37.800
2 S. Charpentier Honda FRA +0.258
3 M. Fabrizio Honda ITA +1.109
4 K. Curtain Yamaha AUS +1.380
5 K. Fujiwara Honda JPN +5.490
6 R. Harms Honda DNK +10.430
7 B. Parkes Yamaha AUS +16.765
8 S. Chambon Honda FRA +25.592
9 T. Lauslehto Honda FIN +25.648
10 X. Fores Suzuki ESP +25.656
11 M. Lagrive Suzuki FRA +25.870
12 J. Stigefelt Honda SWE +26.015
13 A. Vos Honda NED +26.017
14 J. Jansen Suzuki NED +37.278
15 V. Kallio Yamaha FIN +38.087
Fastest Race Lap:
Pos.Rider Manufacturer Nat. Total Time
1 K. Fujiwara Honda JPN 2' 8.865
Championship standings WSS
Pos.Rider Manufacturer Nat. Points
1 Sebastien Charpentier Honda FRA 210
2 Katsuaki Fujiwara Honda JPN 127
3 Kevin Curtain Yamaha AUS 122
4 Fabien Foret Honda FRA 110
5 Michel Fabrizio Honda ITA 98
6 Stephane Chambon Honda FRA 76
7 Broc Parkes Yamaha AUS 69
8 Xavi Fores Suzuki ESP 58
9 Gianluca Nannelli Ducati ITA 56
10 Tatu Lauslehto Honda FIN 49
11 Barry Veneman Suzuki NED 33
12 Johan Stigefelt Honda SWE 32
13 Robbin Harms Honda DNK 31
14 Alessio Corradi Ducati ITA 25
15 Craig Jones Honda GBR 18
Manufacturers standings WSS
Pos.Manufacturer Points
1 Honda 225
2 Yamaha 122
3 Ducati 76
4 Suzuki 71
5 Kawasaki 21
European Superstock : R1 riders extend lead despite Assen drama
Round: 7 - Netherlands
Circuit: Assen
Date: 4 September 2005
Crowd: 80000
Temp: 18ēC
Weather: Sunny
Turkish ace Kenan Sofuoglu extended his lead in the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup
after finishing third in a dramatic round seven in Assen today.
The Yamaha Motor Germany star grabbed the hole shot from his pole position and
held off early pressure from championship rival Craig Coxhell (Suzuki) and his
Yamaha Motor Germany team-mate Didier van Keymeulen.
Sofuoglu made a small gap after six laps but was unable to shake of his rivals.
Despite the closeness of the battle, the R1 rider looked set for a lights to
flag victory until Coxhell made a pass on the final lap.
Sofuoglu continued to pressure the Australian, who dramatically crashed going
into the final chicane. The Turkish rider had no where to go but straight into
the stricken Suzuki, but remarkably was able to remain on board his machine to
finish on the podium - despite running across the grass at the final chicane.
Italian Alessandro Polita found himself the fortuitous winner, with Van
Keymeulen able to sneak through into second. The Belgian had made a good start
from the second row to hold third in the opening laps, although he was to slip
back from the battle for the lead.
Fellow R1 rider Massimo Roccoli ended the day in fourth, taking him back to
second in the championship. The young Italian, riding for the Lorenzini by Leoni
squad, was with the leaders for the opening laps, but slipped back the leaders,
benefiting when fellow Italian Yamaha rider Luca Scassa and then Coxhell crashed
out late in the race.
Sofuoglu now has a 24 point advantage over Roccoli with three races remaining.
Van Keymeulen makes it three R1s in the top three, 25 behind his team-mate.
Coxhell, who remounted to finish 11th, remains in contention with 98 points, 29
behind Sofuoglu.
Didier van Keymeulen (Yamaha Motor Germany)
"Luck is on my side today. I made a good start but struggled a bit with my drive
from the exit of the corner. I was as fast as anyone through the corners though
and I could still see the three guys battling hard in front of me, so I kept
telling myself to push hard as you never know what can happen. In the end
something did happen and this was a big present for me. It's good for my
championship and I hope that we can go for the win in Lausitz."
Kenan Sofuoglu (Yamaha Motor Germany)
"That was just bad luck. What can I say? Even though I have been able to extend
my lead on Roccoli and Coxhell I still feel very disappointed to finish third
after leading the entire race. But now we only have to wait one week for the
next race and I am fired up to show win there at the team's home round."
Massimo Roccoli (Lorenzini by Leoni)
"I found this a difficult circuit as it has many fast changes of direction which
needs a lot of upper body strength. Unfortunately I am short and thin and
suffered arm pump! But I am very happy for the fourth place and I will push as
hard as I can in the last three races. I know the circuits at Imola and Magny
Cours, only Lausitz is new to me but I think also Sofuoglu does not know it so
well either."
Race classification FIM Superstock 1000 Cup
Round: 7 - Netherlands
Circuit: Assen
Circuit Length: 5997m
Lap Record: 2' 8.422 (Alessandro Polita, 2005)
Fastest Lap Ever: 2' 8.422 (Alessandro Polita, 2005)
Race: 11 Laps
Pos.Rider Manufacturer Nat. Total Time
1 A. Polita Suzuki ITA 23'51.323
2 D. Van Keymeulen Yamaha BEL +1.508
3 K. Sofuoglu Yamaha TUR +6.754
4 M. Roccoli Yamaha ITA +9.215
5 A. Badovini MV Agusta ITA +14.956
6 E. Rocamora Suzuki ESP +15.095
7 I. Dionsi Suzuki ITA +15.655
8 A. Martinez Yamaha ESP +16.836
9 W. De Angelis Yamaha ITA +21.505
10 R. Chiarello Suzuki ITA +25.927
11 C. Coxhell Suzuki AUS +27.399
12 R. van Steenberg Suzuki NED +30.317
13 S. Vermonden Suzuki BEL +31.509
14 N. Saelens Suzuki BEL +32.227
15 R. Cooper Honda GBR +33.053
Fastest Race Lap:
Pos.Rider Manufacturer Nat. Total Time
1 A. Polita Suzuki ITA 2' 8.422
Championship standings FIM Superstock 1000 Cup
Pos.Rider Manufacturer Nat. Points
1 Kenan Sofuoglu Yamaha TUR 127
2 Massimo Roccoli Yamaha ITA 103
3 Didier Van Keymeulen Yamaha BEL 102
4 Craig Coxhell Suzuki AUS 98
5 Alessandro Polita Suzuki ITA 77
6 Riccardo Chiarello Suzuki ITA 66
7 Alex Martinez Yamaha ESP 46
8 William De Angelis Yamaha ITA 44
9 Ilario Dionsi Suzuki ITA 44
10 Luca Scassa Yamaha ITA 38
11 Ayrton Badovini MV Agusta ITA 35
12 Enrique Rocamora Suzuki ESP 34
13 Vittorio Iannuzzo MV Agusta ITA 30
14 Richard Cooper Honda GBR 25
15 Denis Sacchetti Kawasaki ITA 22
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