A month has passed since the previous second round in Mandalika in Indonesia, and the time has come for Kawasaki Puccetti Racing to reach Assen in the Netherlands, where the third round of WorldSBK and WorldSSP will be held this weekend.
A month in which the technicians of Manuel Puccetti’s team did not stop working and developing Tom Sykes’ ZX-10RR and Can Oncu’s ZX-6R.
The start of the season was different for the two riders. The young Turkish rider reached the podium in Australia, while in Indonesia he won his first race in the Supersport world championship, confirming his constant growth and the competitiveness of his bike.
Sykes, on the other hand, unfortunately encountered some difficulties, not only technically but also from a physical point of view, with gastroenteritis which debilitated him during the Mandalika weekend.
Their goals are different in Holland too, while Oncu wants to confirm his leadership, the former 2013 SBK World Champion wants to conquer those results that are undoubtedly within his and the team’s reach.
The TT Circuit Assen is also known as Circuit van Drenthe, the name of the province where it is located. The track was inaugurated in 1925, but the actual racetrack was built in 1955. Initially designed exclusively for motorcycles, the track is also referred to as the “Cathedral of Speed” or “the University of Two Wheels”. Over the years it has undergone several changes, the most important of which in 1976 and 1984. Currently the track measures 4,542 meters, with 18 curves of which 12 are right and 6 are left.
Through this link you can consult the program of the Dutch round:
Manuel Puccetti
“We worked hard in our racing department after the round in Indonesia and we will be present at Assen with better performing and, as regards the Superbike, even more reliable bikes, thanks to the work of our technicians. We are energized and highly motivated to continue winning in Supersport and to recover from a rather difficult start to the season in Superbike. Both riders can’t wait to get back on track and to conquer those results that we know are within our reach”.
Tom Sykes
“I like Assen a lot. It is a track with a unique configuration, where it is nice to race. A month has passed since the previous round and I know that my team has worked hard to solve those problems that have so far prevented us from achieving the goals we set ourselves. Let’s go back to racing in Europe, in conditions that are better known to us and on tracks where we have a lot of data, and for this reason too I’m sure that we can get good results at Assen”.
Can Oncu:
“The calendar forced us to take a very long break, but I took the opportunity to train and I must say that I also had a lot of fun on the Sofuoglu track, in the ‘races’ with Toprak and Bahattin. The start of the championship was exciting thanks to Mandalika’s first place, which must be a starting point towards new victories. I know that the team worked a lot in Reggio Emilia and I can’t wait to get back on my bike. Assen is a track that I like and where I took a podium last year. We can do very well.”
