Kawasaki riders getting ready for Assen
They will have some new equipment to use at this race and Parkes hopes it will once more let him join the top ten club. Said Parkes in the run-up to race weekend, "The bike is developing well and we've made some pretty good steps forward over the past few races. We have some new parts arriving ready for Assen and this will hopefully have a good effect to take us to Monza and then the flyaways. The championship is so tight though, anything can happen so it's possible to be in the top ten once more if things go right. I can't say I've had any major results before at Assen but I do enjoy the circuit and the atmosphere is always good."
For Tamada, injury has blighted his early season push, but he too knows that the best is still to come. "There were some setbacks due to my injury during the Valencia races, but I am recovering fast and happy with my progress," said the Japanese star. "I don't feel that I have been able to show anywhere near my full potential this season yet, but I am confident that I will do in the near future. I am hoping for a top ten finish at Assen."
