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Here's a chance to turn the page. Honda plans to send a clear message in Holland, to prove that the recent Aragon round was just a bump in the round after Thailand. The results speak for themselves, with Nicky Hayden's sixth place the best result.
Assen, however, is the team's home track, where expectations are understandably high. The spotlight shines particularly on local hero Michael van der Mark, who is aiming to make up for the disappointing weekend of two weeks ago, which saw him close just seventh in Race 2: “There's always excitement as this race gets underway, thanks particularly to the fans' warm welcome – commented the rider – we have everything in place to be able to demonstrate our potential and leave what happened in Spain behind us.”
The Honda rider sets some goals: “Last year we managed to score a double podium – he concluded – this time I can't wait to do better”. There are those who are yet to reach the podium, Nicky Hayden for example. What better occasion than this, at the track that has long been known as the “University of motorcycle racing”: “This race is a special one for Honda - commented the American – a historic circuit where there is a lot of support from the fans. There are some very fast corners, like the final chicane which is crucial for the outcome of the race”.
As well as facing their rivals, they'll need to be ready to deal with the weather conditions: “The weather is always a question mark - he concluded – we'll aim to get back on the right track and put the issues in Aragon behind us”.
