2015 Dutch TT Preview

Jun 23, 2015
4 min read

The MotoGP circus descends on Holland and the TT Circuit Assen for the eighth round of the 2015 World Championship. The oldest event on the calendar, the Dutch TT has been a mainstay every year since the championship's inception back in in 1949. The circuit is much older than that however having staged its first race in 1925. Back then the Assen circuit ran on country roads through the Dutch towns of Borger, Schoonloo and Groloo, totalling a distance of 17.75 miles. The Dutch TT changed route in the following years, passing through the towns of de Haar, Bartelbocht, Oude Tol, Hooghalen, Laaghalen and Laaghalerveen.

The short circuit Assen was built in 1955 and revised heavily in 2006 with the start/finish line the only section of track unchanged. Though a shadow of its former self, the Cathedral is one of the best venues on the Grand Prix calendar, and is a real favourite amongst fans and riders alike – bikes, beer and Dutch sausages; what's not to like about the Dutch TT?

The Dutch TT is unique in that it takes place on a Saturday instead of the usual Sunday. Being a very religious part of the world, many locals attended church on Sunday and the start/finish line of the old circuit was situated by the church, so to avoid disruption the event took place on the Saturday. Though not a problem now, the tradition has stuck.

Yamaha are undoubted favourites coming into this weekend for two reasons: the first being their utter dominance of the season thus far, and the second being track layout. This is very much M1 territory with the circuit's slow and medium speed turns; this circuit is all about cornering ability. This spells trouble for Honda who have endured a nightmare of late. Not helping HRC's situation was the rain-affected post-Barcelona test where they had planned to run their revised electronics package to try and cope with the RC213V's overly aggressive power output. The threat of rain may very well put a smile on Marc Marquez's face as it will nullify some of the Honda's issues... and he desperately needs a win this weekend or that's championship over for the Spaniard. The one team I am keeping an eye out for are Suzuki. Much like the Yamaha, Suzuki's chassis strength should see them go well at Assen. The lack of exceptionally long straights should also allow them to sneak a good result. Don't be surprised to see them 1-2 on the grid again come Friday.

With Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi separated by just a single point, the atmosphere within Yamaha is about to get a little tense as the duo look set to lock horns and go hell bent for leather as both aim to leave the Netherlands as standings leader. Rossi likes this circuit, Lorenzo does not and rain could be on the cards – this is one not to be missed.

Circuit Statistics:

Circuit Length – 4.5km (2.82mi)
Number Turns – 18 (6 left, 12 right)
Longest Straight – 487m
Number of Laps – 26
Circuit Record – 1:34.548 (Dani Pedrosa, 2012)
Fastest Lap – 1:33.713 (Casey Stoner, 2012)
Top Speed – 313.4km/h
Most Wins – Valentino Rossi (7)
Most Poles – Valentino Rossi (4)

Classic Assen Moment:

Picking a classic moment from the Dutch TT is rather tricky; who can forget Hayden v Edwards in 2006 or Ben Spies winning in 2011 to mention but a couple of corkers? But it's hard to look past the Dutch TT weekend of 2013. Practice was abysmally wet and that caught out a certain championship protagonist by the name of Jorge Lorenzo. He was sent home to have his broken collarbone operated on. Then Cal Crutchlow stormed his way to a maiden pole position on the Monster Tech 3 Yamaha. That evening Lorenzo reappeared ready to race. The following morning had all the hallmarks of a memorable day, but no one predicted just how memorable it would be. Valentino Rossi had returned home to Yamaha at the start of 2013 having suffered enough with Ducati over the previous two years. He came back to prove a point, but given the sheer depth of talent on the grid had the Doctor had his day? That race proved not and the nine-time world champion returned to the top step of the rostrum for the first time since Malaysia 2010. Crutchlow thrilled the British members of the crowd with 3rd, whilst Lorenzo beat out rival Dani Pedrosa for a very respectable 5th.

The Weekend Schedule:

Thursday:

Moto3 FP1 – 08:00-08:40

MotoGP FP1 – 08:55-09:40

Moto2 FP1 – 09:55-10:40

Moto3 FP2 – 12:10-12:50

MotoGP FP2 – 13:05-13:50

Moto2 FP2 – 14:05-14:50

Friday:

Moto3 FP3 – 08:00-08:40

MotoGP FP3 – 08:55-09:40

Moto2 FP3 – 09:55-10:40