848 Challenge heads to Holland

This weekend sees riders and teams heading across the North Sea to the famous Assen TT circuit for Round 2 of the Rapid Solicitors Ducati 848 Challenge. After two stunning opening races at Brands Hatch BSB three weeks ago, the expectation is that the racing will be similarly closely fought and exciting at the historical home of bike racing.

Leon Morris left Brands with a double win, continuing his strong form from last season and will no doubt be the man to beat in Assen, while Darren Fry, the current Champion, will hope for better luck this weekend after breaking his coccyx at Brands Hatch in a heavy crash. But the Buildbase/JHP Ducati team-mates will be wary of the challenge from Mike’Spike’ Edwards (MSKWorks.com), who will be riding his upgraded Ducati 848EVO for the first time this weekend, and Mark Cheetham (Shorrocks Motorcycles) and Kenny Gilbertson (Art of Racing/Boast Plumbing) who were the main challengers for podium finishes three weeks ago.

Barry Poll (Pumpkin Patch Racing) will hope to carry on where he left off at Brands Hatch after being named 'man of themeeting' for his continued progress in the series. Russian youngster Alexey Ivanov will no doubt continue to improve as he becomes accustomed to the Ducati 848 Evo and his Ducati Manchester team, while his team mate Robbie Brown will hope for better luck after suffering extensive damage to his bike in the previous round.

There will be two new additions to the grid this weekend with Alan Walker (MSKWorks.com) returning to the Championship after missing the opening round, and Ben Cope, Editor of Visordown.com, makes his debut riding the George White Motorcycles supported Ducati 848.

The Assen round of the Rapid Solicitors Ducati 848 Challenge takes place at the ‘Ducati Club Races’ which is in its 32nd year at the circuit. It is the largest amateur road race meeting in Europe and this weekend hosts 15 races across 13 different clases with over 450 riders drawn from all over Europe as well as Australia, America and Japan.

To experience the atmosphere watch the video recorded during the 2010 Clubrace, by clicking on the link VIDEO CLUBRACE 2010 and for further information on the Ducati Clubrace weekend visit http://www.ducaticlub.nl/?action=read&id=237

Keep up with all the news from Round 2 on Twitter at www.twitter.com/848challenge and www.facebook.com/ducatiuk and for information on the series visit www.ducatiuk.com

By Ben Cope