Ben Houston had his shirt signed by Eugene Laverty at Assen. Not quite old enough to have his own YZF-R1 Yamaha yet but how adorable is he!

I didn’t really feel like writing much after Donington so I didn’t bother stopping by between rounds.  Plain and simple the weekend turned into a disaster the moment the temperature took a steep drop.  It wasn’t until Sunday after the race that we realised just how low the temperature of my tyres were dropping while I was on track and unfortunately that’s what caught me out.  It’s incredible to think that I could be lapping within one second of the leader and yet my rear tyre was cooler when I crashed in race one than when I lined up on the grid!  It was a very important lesson for me in terms of riding style and chassis setting.  I’ll know for again anyway…

I slept loads during the week after Donington because of concussion so I was barely fit to fart til the following Monday.  The weather has been great so it’s given me a chance to get out on the bicycle, however I haven’t been able to run since injuring my ankle at Donington so I’m getting pretty bored of spending so much time on the pushbike.  The weekend before Assen Pippa’s friend Emily came over to stay so we took her to see the sights of the North Coast.  I’ve been to the Giant’s Causeway quite a few times but that was the first with the sun on my back which made it look even more beautiful.

Assen has been a favourite of mine over the past few years after I won back-to-back supersport races there.  Race wins were a big ask this time around but I was aiming for that debut superbike podium.  I started out in the best way by putting the R1 on the front row of the grid, then in race one I looked on for a podium at mid distance.  I was sat in 3rd position deciding whether I should settle for the podium or chase down Biaggi and JR.  Within a lap or two I realised a podium was going to be out of the question when I began to suffer major vibration through the bike.  The rear tyre had spun 180 degrees on the rim which puts the wheel out of balance so from there on it was a matter of nursing it home.  I’ve had tyres spin a small amount on the rim before which doesn’t cause a big problem but this time it was impossible to ride around the problem.

Race two didn’t turn out so well.  I made a mistake on front tyre choice and realised it immediately on lap one.  The feeling never improved and so I was lapping around half a second slower than what I should have been.  The rear tyre remained in place throughout the race which is just typical!  It wasn’t meant to be my day I guess.  On the bright side I learnt so much about the R1 over the course of those two races.  Assen is a circuit where the bike changes a lot over race distance as the fuel load goes down and so it gave me a better understanding of where we need to improve.

It may be a bold statement but I feel that we’re now ready to fight for the win at Monza.  I felt at home right away on the 2010 bike at the end of last year but it’s taken a while to get the 2011 bike to my liking.  The 2011 bike is definitely better over race distance but it’s just been a case of getting the setting dialed.  And now I believe we’ve managed it.

I’m heading to Brands Hatch this weekend to watch my brothers racing at the first round of the British Superbike Championship.  Let’s hope this great weather remains.

Ciao for now,

Eugene

The Dutch track proved challenging for Yamaha World Superbike riders; Melandri and Laverty this afternoon in Assen.
Laverty initially fell back a few places before regaining third position on lap seven and creating a significant gap ahead of Checa in fourth. Unfortunately mid race he began to struggle with the rear of the bike and found himself fighting hard to maintain the pace before crossing the finish line in seventh. The determined Irishman put on a strong and steady performance in race two. Experiencing trouble with the front of the bike he initially fell back to ninth but put in a series of consistent laps to push back up to sixth.
Eugene Laverty - Yamaha World Superbike Team - 7th, 6th
“I was doing really well until mid way through race one when I started suffering from chatter and losing balance due to displacement in the rear tyre. I struggled for the second half of the race and managed to finish in seventh position. Race two was more consistent even if a little slower. We made the wrong choice of tyres on the front but I’m still getting used to Superbike tyres and knowing what I need to use as the temperatures change. This weekend has been productive, I’ve learned more in this round than I have so far this season.”
Andrea Dosoli - Yamaha World Superbike Team Manager
Eugene made great progress this weekend and is definitely more prepared for the upcoming races. He didn’t just gain points but also valuable experience. The technical input from the problems encountered here will help improve on the set up in preparation for the next round. We need to increase the bike stability exiting turns and find a better setting to be used with soft tyres. We aren’t using the bike to its full potential.”
Championship Standings
1 Checa 132
2 Biaggi 89
3 Melandri 85
4 Rea 79
5 Haslam 68
6 Camier 50
7 Smrz 49
8 Fabrizio 47
9 Laverty 35
10 Haga 34

1. 7 CHECA Carlos (ESP) Althea Racing Ducati
2. 3 BIAGGI Max (ITA) Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team- 0.524
3. 4 REA Jonathan (GBR) Castrol Honda - 3.584
4. 2 Camier Leon (GBR) Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team - 5.913
5. 91 HASLEM Leon (GBR) BMW Motorrad Motorsport - 16.916
6. 58 LAVERTY Eugene (IRL) Yamaha World Superbike Team - 17.375
7. 84 FABRIZIO Michel (ITA) Team Suzuki Alstare - 17.740
8. 41 HAGA Noriyuki (JPN) PATA Racing Team Aprilia - 18.329
9. 96 SMRZ Jakub (CZE) Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing Ducati - 18.378
10. 50 S. GUINTOLI (FRA) Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing - 18.404

1. 4 REA Jonathan (GBR) Castrol Honda
2. 3 BIAGGI Max (ITA) Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team - 0.739
3. 7 CHECA Carlos (ESP) Althea Racing Ducati - 3.572
4. 33 MELANDRI Marco (ITA) Yamaha World Superbike Team - 9.508
5. 84 FABRIZIO Michel (ITA) Team Suzuki Alstare - 9.892
6. 11 CORSER Troy (AUS) BMW Motorrad Motorsport - 11.120
7. 58 LAVERTY Eugene (IRL) Yamaha World Superbike Team - 15.235
8. 111 XAUS Ruben (ESP) Castrol Honda - 30.081
9. 86 A. Badovini (ITA) BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team -32.071
10. 8 M. AITCHISON (AUS) Team Pedercini - 35.000

Yamaha World Superbike Team riders Eugene Laverty and Marco Melandri provided impressive performances in Assen for today’s Superpole sessions to secure first and second row grid starts respectively ahead of tomorrow’s two races. Both riders dominated the first heat putting in the fastest laps on a set of qualifying tyres to take them comfortably into round two in first and second position.

Eugene Laverty provided a nail-biting second session, battling to put in a series of fast laps before going through to the third and final heat of the day in seventh position, just over two tenths of a second behind first place. The final heat of this afternoon’s Superpole saw the talented young Irishman achieving his fastest lap on a softer race tyre to score his first front row start of his World Superbike career.

Eugene Laverty - Yamaha World Superbike Team - 3rd, 1′35.580
“That was certainly an eventful Superpole today. We used our qualifying tyre early on in the session and then had to use a softer race tyre in the final round. I surprised myself with the lap time I achieved. I knew I could make it into the front row but it was a tough battle. We have to concentrate on making the bike more stable for tomorrow’s race in order to be able to put in consistently fast laps throughout the race. I’m aiming for a podium but a win would also be very nice indeed.”

Andrea Dosoli - Yamaha World Superbike Team Manager
“I’m satisfied that both riders had a positive Superpole today. Our object was to secure first and second row grid positions and that’s what we did. Eugene had a fantastic third Superpole session on a soft tyre, getting his fastest lap time and proving his talent as a rider. It’s a pity that Marco fell in the final stages, he has made progress over the weekend and should have been on the front row. The lap times were so close today that it makes for a competitive day tomorrow. Tyre wear will be crucial so the right choice will make all the difference.”

1. Carlos Checa ESP Althea Ducati 1098R 1min 35.292s
2. Jakub Smrz CZE Effenbert Liberty Ducati 1098R 1min 35.560s
3. Eugene Laverty IRL Yamaha WSBK YZF R1 1min 35.580s
4. Noriyuki Haga JPN PATA Aprilia RSV-4 1min 35.920s
5. Jonathan Rea GBR Castrol Honda CBR1000RR 1min 36.138s
6. Max Biaggi ITA Aprilia Alitalia Racing RSV-4 1min 36.302s
7. Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki RTS ZX-10R 1min 36.351s
8. Marco Melandri ITA Yamaha WSBK YZF R1 1min 37.036s

9. Leon Camier GBR Aprilia Alitalia Racing RSV-4 1min 35.903s
10. Troy Corser AUS BMW Motorrad S1000RR 1min 35.954s
11. Joan Lascorz ESP Kawasaki Racing ZX-10R 1min 35.983s
12. Leon Haslam GBR BMW Motorrad S1000RR 1min 36.089s

13. Michel Fabrizio ITA Suzuki Alstare GSX-R1000 1min 36.148s
14. Ruben Xaus ESP Castrol Honda CBR1000RR 1min 36.260s
15. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Effenbert Liberty Ducati 1098R 1min 36.361s
16. Ayrton Badovini ITA BMW Italia S1000RR 1min 36.920s

Did not progress to Superpole

17. Maxime Berger FRA Supersonic Ducati 1098R 1min 37.272s
18. Chris Vermeulen AUS Kawasaki RTS ZX-10R 1min 37.501s
19. Barry Veneman NED BMW Italia S1000RR 1min 37.569s
20. Roberto Rolfo ITA Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1min 37.676s
21. Mark Aitchison AUS Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1min 37.794s

Eugene Laverty - Yamaha World Superbike Team
“This morning was important for me to regain confidence on the bike. We had a very tough race weekend in the last round of the championship but I’m satisfied that I managed to put that behind me in today’s free practice session. We made progress this afternoon, improving on the chassis and finding more suitable tyres. I completed a longer run, almost a race run and put in respectable times. Completing the session in eighth is pretty good considering we spent the day working on the setting, so overall I’m relatively satisfied.“

1. 4 REA Jonathan (GBR) Castrol Honda - 1′36.035
2. 96 SMRZ Jakub (CZE) Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing Ducati - 1′36.058
3. 3 BIAGGI Max (ITA) Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team- 1′36.287
4. 11 CORSER Troy (AUS) BMW Motorrad Motorsport - 1′36.322
5. 41 HAGA Noriyuki (JPN) PATA Racing Team Aprilia - 1′36.368
6. 91. HASLEM Leon (GBR) BMW Motorrad Motorsport - 1′36.455
7. 8. 33 MELANDRI Marco (ITA) Yamaha World Superbike Team - 1′36.494
8. 84 FABRIZIO Michel (ITA) Team Suzuki Alstare - 1′36.550
9. 7 CHECA Carlos (ESP) Althea Racing Ducati – 1′36.596
10. 111 XAUS Ruben (ESP) Castrol Honda - 1′36.643
12. 58 LAVERTY Eugene (IRL) Yamaha World Superbike Team - 1′36.729

En route to Assen for this weekend’s race, Yamaha World Superbike riders Marco Melandri and Eugene Laverty took pleasure in stopping by the Yamaha Motor Europe (YME) headquarters in Amsterdam. The guys, together with their respective partners, were welcomed on arrival by an enthusiastic group of YME management and staff and immediately were made to feel part of the large family.

In honour of their guests, YME organized a guided tour of the warehouse which stocks over 110,000 parts and accessories. The group had the opportunity to witness from behind the scenes the daily management of the complex order taking process and experience firsthand the mechanism behind the management of over 20,000 parts-orders that are handled and then forwarded to Yamaha dealers all over Europe on a weekly basis. Curious by the precision of the robot in selecting the requested items the Yamaha WSB riders jumped at the chance to initiate a Q and A session. The warehouse machines generally run non-stop for 17 hours a day, but on this special occasion all operations were paused for 20 minutes so the staff could dedicate their undivided attention to their guests. Satisfied with their newly found knowledge of the efficient warehouse, Marco and Eugene resigned to the main building where they partook in an autograph session and a prize giving draw. Several fortunate Yamaha staff members became proud owners of original signed racing gear from the 2011 Yamaha WSB riders.

Eugene Laverty - Yamaha World Superbike Team
“Pippa and I had a great day in YME. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming to us. The tour was an education.It was nice to meet everyone behind the scenes who we never have the opportunity to meet at the track but play an important role in Yamaha.I wasn’t aware of how the whole distribution process worked and didn’t realise the quantity of parts that get distributed every week. Curiosity got the best of us and we asked plenty of questions!”

The historic TT race track has been kind to both Yamaha riders Melandri and Laverty in previous years so they both face their WSB Dutch debut this weekend with enthusiasm.
The circuit, known amongst many motorcycle fans as “The Cathedral” has undergone several renovations over the past decades. In 2006 it was shortened from it’s original 7.705 metres to the current 4.555 metres and as recently as last year an interesting high speed point was added to the track. The alterations carried out have made the circuit more accessible to the public, while providing more facilities for the numerous spectators. Several of the curves and chicanes have been modified for safety reasons yet only one element of the track has remained untouched throughout the years; the finish line. The Assen TT race track still remains a very technical, twisty and fast flowing circuit, leaving little room for error while guaranteeing the spectator an adrenaline filled race weekend.

Both Yamaha World Superbike riders; Melandri and Laverty ,will be looking to accumulate valuable points this weekend. Following two successful races in round two in Donington where Melandri took first and second places, the Italian rider arrives at the third round of the championship in second position, just 19 points off front man Checa. Teammate Laverty will be looking to make up for the disappointing weekend he experienced in Donington and gain some precious points to allow him to jump up the standings from his current position in 12th.

Eugene Laverty - Yamaha World Superbike Team
“Assen is a circuit that I really enjoy riding. I’ve only ridden there twice, in 2009 and 2010, winning both races so I have some good memories there. This is my first year on the track for WSB but I’m confident that I can do well again. The last round in Donington was very disappointing for me as I had two very tough races. At the beginning of the weekend the bike was working very well and we were capable of doing a good race, but that didn’t quite go as planned. None-the-less, I’m coming to Assen optimistic; the team is working very hard and doing a great job and I know I can ride the track well. My position is amongst the top five and hopefully this weekend I can get back up there again.”

Assen technically speaking according to Frankie Carchedi - Eugene Laverty’s Crew Chief
“We are really looking forward to the weekend in Assen, our R1 has always worked pretty well on the track there. Unfortunately in Donington our bike was a little erratic due to the severe temperature changes. We are working hard to find a setting that works well in variable climate conditions, so we should have a good base set up to start with on Friday and the we’ll take it from there. I’m confident we’ll find an ideal solution and be back up at the front of the pack where we should be.”

Andrea Dosoli - Yamaha World Superbike Team Manager
“On the historic track in Assen; I believe we can be very competitive, as we were in Donington. The team, the riders and I are all very motivated. Marco is capable of delivering impressive performances as he has done in Philip Island and Donington and closing the gap in the championship standings between himself and first position. Eugene is concentrating on obtaining the competitive results he proved to be capable of in Phillip Island. Our technical team are working hard to improve the handling of the bike in order to be more adaptable to the TT circuit. The basic set up is already pretty good but the team will work on fine tuning a few elements on Friday in advance of Sunday’s races.
Marco and Eugene will do their best to provide two spectacular races to the numerous fans and to the Yamaha Motor Europe staff attending their “home race”, so close to the head office in Amsterdam.”