Britain's Barry Burrell held on to top British rider and top privateer spots in the European Superstock 1000 series at Assen this weekend with a top-ten finish
Finishing ninth following a difficult 13 laps of the Dutch circuit, Burrell held onto fifth position in the Championship after Sunday's morning race on the 26th April. Racing the Honda CBR1000RR for Czech Republic's MS Racing, Burrell was just behind Italian Giugliano on the MV Agusta F4 312R.
"During Friday's free practice session I had massive suspension problems; the bike was just sliding into the entry and exit of the fast corners. Ohlins did a fantastic job, we looked at the dampening, rider height, rebound and compression and coupled with a new engine the bike was set to go. I got off to a bad start in the second free practice session on Saturday, I went into the corner too early on the first lap with a cold tyre and down I went," said Burrell.
The qualifying session on Saturday afternoon saw a phenomenal turn around, the bike had the grip through the fast corners and Burrell qualified as top British rider and 6th on the grid just behind the Yamaha YZF R1 of French rider Baz. Burrell said "Out on the first three qualifying laps I was fastest until I came into the pits, then I rejoined and I was third for most of the reminder of the session before dropping to 6th, as I couldn't get a clear lap towards the end of the session."
Race day saw good weather conditions with a track temperature of 18 degrees centigrade. Burrell said: "It was a battle from start to finish with tight racing throughout, every lap I was fighting to hold on to my position. The tyres starting slipping on the rim, meaning I lost my tyre balance, which made the race extremely difficult to negotiate. At the end of the day I bagged myself 7 points and held onto my championship position, so I am happy with the outcome from a really demanding and tiring race."
Next is the Italian round at Autodromo Nazionale in Monza on the 10th May; this stunning circuit is placed within Monza Park which belongs to the cities of Monza and Milan. Burrell said: "The track has two great straights; the start straight beginning at the finish of the Parabolic Curve up to the 1st Chicane, the other beginning at the end of the Ascari Curve as far as the beginning of the Parabolic Curve. I'm going to Monza in a strong position with my sights set on picking up some good points and the potential of a podium finish."
