    |
 |
|
|
|
500 Gp racing reaches the half way mark on Saturday in Assen Holland. Round 8 is the 75 running of the Dutch TT.
The Assen track today is 3.75 miles in length, when it was first build (1926) it was a 10 mile triangle. After this Gp it will under more changes.
The track has an very good gripping surface, even in the wet. It is a fast track and has good run offs, and airbags on barriers.
Teams and riders are looking forward t some good racing. Honda will be hoping for some improvement from Criville, the 500cc World champ who has had an up and down season so far. His record on the track is varied winning the GP in 1992 but crashing badly there in 1997 and 1999.
\"I had hoped to get back on the right track at Catalunya two weeks ago, but once again luck was not on my side,\" said Criville. \"Now, I\'m aiming for a much better result at Assen. Despite my accident there I really like the circuit and I\'ve had some very successful races there. I know my position in the championship is not good right now, but I wont stop fighting for the title until it\'s all over.\"
Criville\'s Repsol Honda teammate Tadayuki Okada has had a worse run than Criville so far this season, but returns to the scene of his best race of 1999. In 1999 Okada took pole position, fastest lap, and race win. A great day. Okada was quoted as saying \"I just can\'t wait for Assen to start turning things around for me and my team.\"
Gibernau, will ride the 3rd Repsol Honda, he scored 3rd her last year.
Emerson Honda pilots Capirossi and Barros are looking for good showings at Assen.
Capirossi, likes the circuit, \"Assen I like very much, it\'s very special, very difficult,\" Capirossi said. \"I like most things about Assen, except the weather. I hope it doesn\'t rain as it will be difficult on a 500. Assen last year is my best memory - I rode well and won the race. The last time an Italian won the 500 at Assen was in 1982 when Franco Uncini won - maybe it\'s time another Italian won the race.\"
Barros, is consistent at Assen, five finishs out of five in the top five.\" Last year he got 10th but Barros has been going quick this year with two poles at the last two races.
Kenny Roberts, currently leading the world Championship on his Suzuki, is looking for his 4th GP win this season. He will be favorite here this weekend.
Carlos Checa, 2nd on the championship board behind Roberts, will be looking for a good finish. He can not afford another crash. His best at Assen is a 2nd in 1997.
Max Biaggi 2nd in 1998, and 5th in 1999, is another who will have to finish all his races for the rest of the season. He has two wins at Assen in the 250 GP class.
Norick Abe is turning in great racing. He is in 3rd place in the championship and will be there at the finish, quite possiblly on the rostrom.
