Honda HRC Castrol head north for Assen
TT Circuit AssenThe pace of MotoGP continues to quicken, Joan Mir joined by Aleix Espargaro in the Honda HRC Castrol team this weekend in the Netherlands. Both approach with clear objectives for the Dutch TT.
History is what the Dutch TT is all about, hosting Grand Prix motorcycling since 1949 the 4.54-kilometre-long circuit holds a special place in MotoGP history. Modified between 2005 and 2006, the track maintains many of its old charms and has produced battles for the ages almost every year.
Fresh from a third consecutive point-scoring Grand Prix, Joan Mir arrives having found a sense of stability after an up and down start to the season. Consistency and upgrades throughout have helped and the #36 is now a constant threat to the top ten each weekend. The mix of long, slow corners in the opening section of the Assen lap and high-speed manoeuvring during the middle section will be an important testing ground for the Honda RC213V.
Aleix Espargaro will take the helm of the second Honda RC213V in the Honda HRC Castrol garage, his third appearance of the year. With a podium in 2023 at the Dutch track, Espargaro has historic success to draw upon as he returns. As with Nakagami in Mugello, the #41’s primary focus will be on extracting the maximum from the weekend rather than focusing purely on assessing new pieces as with the Test Team.
Location: TT Circuit Assen
Assen is the only venue to have held a round of the Motorcycle World Championship every year since its creation in 1949. The circuit was purpose built for the Dutch TT in 1955, with previous events having been held on public roads. The track is narrow, with rapid changes in direction, and is fully surrounded by grass banks and grandstands, providing excellent viewing for the hundreds of thousands of fanatical spectators who are drawn to the most prestigious event in Dutch motorsport every year. A huge favourite with riders, Assen is well known for its festive and extravagant atmosphere.
In 1999 the circuit was modified with a new grandstand, control tower, press centre and renovated boxes. Modifications to the Assen circuit over the winter of 2005/6 saw the length of the championship’s longest serving track cut from over 6km down to 4.555km/2.83miles.
Another weekend, another race! Only a short time to rest between races but I am ready to go again. Assen will present us with some challenges again, but in Mugello we saw that through hard work we made some progress, so I am approaching the weekend with an open mind. Like in Mugello, we can normally see a lot of close battles in Assen with big groups so we have to be smart with how we are preparing everything. Let’s keep the focus and keep working for the future.
Another weekend, another race! Only a short time to rest between races but I am ready to go again. Assen will present us with some challenges again, but in Mugello we saw that through hard work we made some progress, so I am approaching the weekend with an open mind. Like in Mugello, we can normally see a lot of close battles in Assen with big groups so we have to be smart with how we are preparing everything. Let’s keep the focus and keep working for the future.
I am really delighted to be able to help Honda HRC and work with the factory team this weekend in Assen. Lots of riders dream of being in the factory Honda team; to be able to do this now is a real surprise and pleasure – even if it is temporary. In both previous weekends this year for me I’ve been able to build more and more, so I hope we can start the weekend a little closer. I have good memories at Assen and it will be very interesting to see the Honda there, it’s quite different to the tracks I am normally testing at. I hope Luca is recovering well and he can be back here soon.
I am really delighted to be able to help Honda HRC and work with the factory team this weekend in Assen. Lots of riders dream of being in the factory Honda team; to be able to do this now is a real surprise and pleasure – even if it is temporary. In both previous weekends this year for me I’ve been able to build more and more, so I hope we can start the weekend a little closer. I have good memories at Assen and it will be very interesting to see the Honda there, it’s quite different to the tracks I am normally testing at. I hope Luca is recovering well and he can be back here soon.