The six-time WorldSBK champion has endured a nightmare start to life at Yamaha, scoring𝓀 his only points of the season during Race 2 of the second round in Catalunya.

But while current form might suggest that Assen will be another tough round, 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Jonathan Rea did make considerable step forwa🌜rd in Barcelona compared to the season-opener.

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Rea is also a 17🍨-time race winner at the Dutch circuit, making him ♋the most successful rider at a particular circuit.

“I’m really excited to be back at Assen, I like the layout of the track and also my fans bring some good ener🌟gy here,” said Rea. “It’s just a case of trying to find some form and performance both from myself and the R1.

“I think Catalunya Race 2 wa🐲s my first normal𒐪 race with no issue, so I banked some points.

“What I realised was ꦍstarting from P13 is that it’s so diℱfficult to reach that front group, so it was a race I started making progress.

“It’s not the positions we want to fight for, but we🦋 have to start somewhere after a lot of disappointments.

“Looking forward to seeing if Ass𝐆en can bring us some more fortune. Looking back at previous years, it’s a♍ track that suits not just me but the Yamaha R1. 

“It’s a place we can make that stepꦏ, but it’s a step by progress. We have to walk b🦋efore we can run.”

‘Toprak was a big surprise for everyone’

On the other side of the🍰 Pata Prometeon Yamaha garage, Andrea Locatelli is looking to build on his early promise in 2🐈024.

Locatelli could have secured victory in Race 2 at Phillip Island, before crashing on th🍌e final lap due to a false neutral.

Catalunya was a tougher outing as Ducati and BMW le𒆙d the way, however, the Italian also has a very good record around Assen.

Speaking about his chances and former team-mate Toprak Razgatlioglu, who produced a surprise last time out by beating Ducati in two out of the t🍷hree races, Locatelli said: “I have good memories form Assen; I got my first WorldSBK podium here in 2021 and I’ve had a podium every season with Yamaha here, so why not try to repeat it this year?

“It won’t be easy and probably this weekend, we’ll ride in differe💛nt conditions with the forecast will be tricky.

“I feel comfortable though and OK with the bike, so let’s push and see what we can do. We have a really good feeling and it’s a flowing track, so it’sꦬ another good track to show our potential and speed.

“We’ll push for the maximum and see what we have. Toprak was a big surprise for everyone as we didn’t think it could happen immediately but they’re workin♋g well during testing and they found a good solution for the 🉐race.

“I’m happy for him becau🌠se, firstly, he’s my friend and I have a good relationship with him.

“He’s a big talent; I sent a message to him because I m🔯issed him after the race. I wa🥂nt to try and fight again this weekend.”