MotoGP – Preview Assen – Pedrosa aims for the maximum

Dani Pedrosa climbed to the third step of the podium at Donington Park but was unable to battle with Valentino Rossi to the end to gain valuable points for the championship. Precisely for this reason, the Team Honda Repsol rider is hoping for good weather in Assen (next event of the 2008 season) to be able to best set up his official RC212V and therefore try to stay in the top positions until the end. We remind you that Pedrosa is second in the world championship with a gap of 11 points from Rossi. The word is up to him.

“We collected useful points at Donington last week but at Assen we want a better result. First of all, I hope the weather stays dry because this way everyone can prepare as best as possible for the race. It will be a difficult race because the level of MotoGP is incredibly high at the moment. Assen is a beautiful circuit but the big changes they made two years ago have ruined some of its characteristics. The track has a very smooth surface, which is good, but it doesn't have grip like some other circuits. My favorite is the final chicane section, which is a legendary corner that has hosted great battles. In Assen it is difficult to obtain the best setup even if the new track layout does not require particular settings like the old circuit. It is necessary to prepare the motorcycle so that it is agile and provides good grip. Assen requires medium-hard tyres. Regarding the driving style you have to be a bit aggressive because there are a lot of direction changes at high speed. There's a real biker vibe in Assen, with lots of life in the towns, in the restaurants, everywhere. It's the most classic of the entire world championship.”