Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder to race at Assen having made improvements in testing last week.

After a weekend off, the Moto2 World Championship season resumes with another two consecutive weeks of races. The first will be held this Sunday at the “Cathedral of Motorcycle Racing,” the TT Circuit Assen. The Red Bull KTM Ajo riders are eager to contrast improvements that they made in the two days of testing held last week at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit, following the Catalan GP.

Miguel Oliveira is chasing his third consecutive Top 5 finish, after the fifth and fourth places achieved at the Italian and Catalan GPs. Fifteenth last year at Assen in his only Moto2 race there to date, the historic Dutch track was one of the most fruitful for the Portuguese in Moto3: He has a third position -2014- and a victory -2015- there, the latter with Red Bull KTM Ajo.

For Brad Binder, the post-race test was used to improve his riding. In addition, the week off has allowed him to train in the gym and work with physiotherapists and, according to the South African, he arrives in Assen in his best shape this year. In Moto3 he hadn’t easy races at the Dutch TT, with seventh position in 2015 his best result, and he hopes to do better in the intermediate class.

In a change to the normal schedule and due to the event coinciding with an F1 round, the Moto2 race will be at 2.30pm on Sunday. 

Circuit information – Assen

Length: 4.542 m. / 2,822 miles

Width: 14 metresLeft corners: 6

Right corners: 12

Longest straight: 487 m. / 0,303 miles

Constructed: 1955

Modified: 2012 

 

41 BRAD BINDER 
“The test in Barcelona was very positive. I felt that I improved my riding a lot, which is very important for me because I was pushing a lot during the race weekend. I feel that I will get to Assen much stronger. This week I have made great progress with my training too; I’ve felt that my arms are stronger than before. I am definitely in the best physical condition I have been in this year. I hope to make Assen the best race of the year and start building my way to the top positions. Assen is a circuit that I have found difficult in the past, but at the same time I have always been fast there. Let’s see what awaits us this weekend.”

44 MIGUEL OLIVEIRA
“The two days of testing last week in Barcelona were very interesting and we found very positive solutions to improve the setup of the bike. Now we go to Assen, a circuit that is much narrower than those we have raced at so far, and very flowing. It is often difficult to get accustomed to the perfect line. I’m sure it will go well and I’m very motivated after these last two Top 5s. We are hoping to continue in the top positions this weekend.”