The fifth round of the 2007 World Supersport Championship at Assen will see HANNspree Ten Kate Honda contest its home race with a formidable line-up of three riders. Defending champion Sébastien Charpentier returns from injury to battle for the title alongside current series leader Kenan Sofuoglu and Valencia stand-in Andrew Pitt.
HANNspree Ten Kate Honda made the decision to run a three-man team following Pitt's impressive performance in Spain. The Australian rider crossed the finish line in second position behind Sofuoglu to secure a spectacular one-two finish for the team. Pitt will be able to offer invaluable support for the two permanent riders in the continuing development of the new Honda CBR600RR.
After securing his third race win of the season in Spain, Sofuoglu heads to Assen with a stunning 95-point championship lead - a huge 44 points clear of second place rider Fabien Foret. Although not complacent, the Turkish rider is confident that he can do his team proud once again in The Netherlands this weekend.
Sébastien Charpentier has been undergoing an intensive rehabilitation programme since his free practice crash at Donington Park just over three weeks ago. He has made a good recovery from his pelvic and coccyx injuries and is looking forward to making a triumphant return to the Supersport series.
Ronald ten Kate, Team Manager:
"Assen is a special event for us as it is our home round. The riders know how important it is to us and so they see it as their home round also. We have Sébastien back for Assen, which makes us truly happy. It has been very strange racing without him because he has been a part of the team for so long. I'm sure he will give it 100% to make a remarkable return to the championship.
"Assen is a track with good memories for Kenan as he got his first ever Supersport win there last year. I know that he will be giving it his all again this year. For Assen, we have decided to bring in a wingman to support and two top gun riders. Andrew impressed us a lot in Valencia so we see this as thank you to him for all his efforts. He is able to do some very important testing work on the new CBR600RR, which is still in the early stages of development. All in all, we are ready to race. we are ready for Assen!"
Kenan Sofuoglu;
"I am still feeling very happy about the results in Valencia and want to thank the team once again for all the hard work that went into achieving the win. I am focusing on the future and I just want to keep getting good, consistent results for the team. This race is important because it is the home race for Ten Kate. I won here last year, so I am confident about the track, but I know that anything can happen so I'm just going to keep my head down and concentrate on bringing in the points."
Sébastien Charpentier;
"I am feeling a lot better and I'll be coming to Assen with a clear mind. I'm determined to be back at the front and I just want to forget the beginning of the season and concentrate on the future. The championship is long and I'm going to give it everything I've got to get back the title."
Andrew Pitt:
"I am really happy to be riding for HANNspree Ten Kate Honda again. I had a great time in Valencia and I felt like I worked well with the guys so it's an honour to be asked to ride in Assen. I understand how important this race is for the team so I'm going to come and do my absolute best - let's hope we can go one better than Valencia and see a full HANNspree Ten Kate line-up on the podium."
