Dutch TT 2002, Assen
Race Day- Saturday, 29th June 2002
Record Making Day for Red Bull Yamaha Riders
Red Bull Yamaha teammates, American John Hopkins and German, Alex Hofmann
both had a brilliant race today in the rain-free Dutch GP. Hopkins who started
the race today in 10th position, as the highest placed Yamaha 2 stroke rider,
had a stunning race in front of the 100 000 plus crowd. This his seventh
GP of his short but illustrious career, saw him matching his talent against
those with many more years experience.
Hopkins result today is his best yet, improving 3 places on his previous best
finish (10th) which he achieved only two weeks ago at the Catalunya GP. Hopkins
and reigning World Champion, Valentino Rossi are the only 2 Moto GP riders to
finish in the points for each GP this Weason. Today's result boosts the 19 year
old rookies World Classification into 10th place with 33 points, only 5 points
behind fellow American and Former World Champion, Kenny Roberts.
Alex Hofmann rode superbly in only his second outing on the Red Bull Yamaha,
bringing the crowd to it's feet with a wheel to wheel battle with vd Goorbergh
who finished in tenth place. Hofmann is the first German to ever race a
Yamaha 2 stroke and the first German to ever score points in a Moto GP race.
John Hopkins: 7th
World Championship Classification - 10th with 33 points
"It was a really good race and finally I got the start that I wanted. For the
first couple of laps I was racing with Gibernau and McWilliams in a tight pack
and Harada was holding up all of us. We got round him and Gibernau and
McWilliams were passing back in forth, making some really wild passes so I
decided that I would let them pan out before I mixed it up with them. Soon after
Gibernau crashed out and I was chasing Jeremy for the next few laps. He retired
by lap 9 or so and from that point to about the last 3 laps it was a lonely
race. Kenny Roberts was ahead and I set my sights on chipping away at the
distance between us. I mowed him down from a 6-second break to 2.6 seconds and
I felt like I would have got him if I would have had a few more laps.
"The bike went really well, the crew set the bike up great for me, the tyres
worked well, thanks to Dunlop."
I'm really happy that I can continue to improve, this is what I am aiming for.
I set my goal on finishing 8th so to be 7th is good. My intention is to finish
a race in the Top 5 before the end of this Season."
Alex Hofmann: 11th
Scoring 5 points for the Red Bull Yamaha Team
"This is a perfect day for me, finishing a Moto GP in 11th place and scoring
5 Points for the Red Bull Yamaha Team. Today was my first real fight on the 500
cc bike and its fun to racing against these guys."
"My start was not so good and it took me a few laps to find my rhythm, but
eventually when I was settled I was doing times equal to the guys in 6th and 7th
position. I finished today ahead of three, 250 World Champions, including the
reigning 250 World Champion, so of course I am happy."
"I'm a little bit sad of course that my ride with Red Bull Yamaha is over, but
this has been a great opportunity for me to show the GP Paddock of what I am
capable of, in just 2 races. I really enjoyed my time with Red Bull Yamaha,
Thank-you."
Peter Clifford: Director of Racing
An absolutely superb ride from both guys another very large step for John and
just a brilliant second race from Alex. It's been a real pleasure to turn our
loss of Garry McCoy for a few rides into a chance for a young rider.
Final Qualifying - Friday, 28th June 2002
YOUNG GUNS HAVE A THIRD ROW START
Intermittent rain hampered the final qualifying session today at the Dutch TT
in Assen. Red Bull Yamaha team mates Hopkins and Hofmann who qualified
yesterday in 10th and 12th positions, today held those places for the
premier-class gird tomorrow. The utterly determined 19-year-old American
rookie, "Hopper" was in 5th position in the qualifying session this afternoon,
again securing his rank this weekend as the fastest 2 stroke Yamaha. Hofmann
who up to the start of today's qualifying session has rode the YZR 500 for only
361 laps will start the race tomorrow on the third row. This is an
outstanding achievement for the young Moto GP replacement rider. Today Alex
qualified in 9th position, but due to the wet conditions yesterdays qualifying
times will stand.
John Hopkins: 5th today at 2'08.354
10th position on grid (2'02.764) Thursdays time
"I'm happy with the third row start but I felt I could have improved on that
if this session would have been dry. We tested our wet set-up in the practice
session this morning and used the qualifying session this afternoon to get a
good set-up on a full intermediate setting. So we now have all bases covered
for tomorrow."
"My plan is to get with the lead pack early and not get caught up in any 1st lap
mishaps. I'm focusing on putting in a good first lap and I'm trying to improve
in that area. I'm happy with my starts and my goal tomorrow is to finish in the
Top 8."
Alex Hofmann: 9th today at 2'09.553
12th position on grid (2'03.187) Thursdays time
"What a crazy session, we went out firstly on a total slick and by the time I
got to the last chicane it was raining very hard in front of me. Not all the
track was wet, about 60%dry and about 40% wet. We changed the tyres about 3
times during the session, intermediate, slick, than wet. I hope tomorrow
that it is constant weather tomorrow otherwise it's a bit of a gamble. I will
really enjoy being on the third row tomorrow, I was happy on the third row last
year on a 250 so to be there tomorrow on a 500 is great. I'm really looking
forward to the race tomorrow."
Peter Clifford:
"A great starting position for Alex in his second ride with the team. I'm
sure John feels like he has a little extra to show in the race but we will be
happy if he just keeps the progress going that he has shown so far this season."
Qualifying No. 1 Thursday, 27th June 2002
HOPKINS AND HOFMANN RIDE THE FASTEST 2 STROKE YAMAHA'S
The two youngest riders in today's Moto GP session, Red Bull Yamaha's Hopkins
and Hofmann, had a solid first qualifying aboard the fastest two stroke Yamahas. Coming home in 10th and 12th positions respectively the young guns finished
ahead of many experienced Moto GP riders and both are confident that tomorrow
they can do just the same, if not better.
John Hopkins: 10th 2'02.764
"We tried a combination of different settings in the session today and we
improved a little bit each time. We're working towards a good race set-up and
using the information from our recent test here to put together something
special for tomorrow and race day.
"I feel like I'm really strong coming off the back straight away out of the
left/right and I'm making up time there every lap. It's easier to change
direction quickly there on the 2 stroke so I'm passing guys there with ease.
"We put on a some good tyres in the last few minutes and thatıs when I got my
best time.
"I improved from this mornings time by almost a second and I'm putting in faster
times today then when I tested here, so thatıs a good effort."
Colin Davies (Race Engineer - John Hopkins)
"We tried a lot of different things in this session and it took John some
time to get use to all the chassis changes we were making. We've got a few
things to work on tonight but I'm confident that we'll find the best race
settings before Race Day."
Alex Hofmann: 12th 2'03.187
"I'm really happy with this result and I'm feeling very comfortable on the
bike this weekend. The set-up is how I like it now and the bike feels really
good and smooth. My rhythm here on this track is good and I'm finding a good
line around the track. I'm very happy with the tyres we used in this session
also, great qualifying tyres.
"The third row position is great and I'm in front of many experienced riders
like Nakano, Gibernau and Jacque so I'm pleased."
Christophe Bourguignon (Race Engineer -Alex Hofmann)
"Everything went to plan this afternoon for Alex and the crew worked really
well. We've already got our basic settings for the race and we already have an
idea of the tyres that we will use for the race."
Peter Clifford - Team Manager
"It was a good practice session for both guys today. I'm
particularly pleased with Alex's 12th place. "We must thank Dunlop for helping
us to be the fastest 2 stroke Yamaha's but then the guys still have to ride the
motorcycles."
Three times GP winner, Garry McCoy is counting down the days until he can
ride his Red Bull Yamaha in the British Grand Prix. McCoy last rode the 2
stroke Yamaha at the first qualifying session at Le Mans in mid May when leg
pain forced him to withdraw from the race. McCoy found himself several days
later, in the hands of an Austrian Surgeon, having ankle surgery to correct an
ill-healed break from 4 years ago.
The 30 year old determined Australian who now resides in Andorra wants to get
back on his bike, to be with his team and do what he does best.
GARRY McCOY
"I'm feeling pretty good at the moment, I'm walking around normally now on
the leg, and I'm happy with my recovery.
"I've built up the calf muscle in my broken leg to equal the strength in my good
leg and I've done plenty of calf-raisers to get the muscle bulk back.
"My ankle is now strong and I've got more movement then ever in the ankle since
the operation. My Daytonas (racing boots) will be modified again before I race
in Donington to suit my ankle and the rebuilt leg muscles and I'm having a full
re-fit of the boot again at the German GP.
"I've been concentrating on my training since the operation and I'm back GP
racing in 2 weeks so now I'm into the heavy end of the training program. I'm
doing about 3 hours a day on the stationary cycle in two x 1 1/2 hour sessions
and a fair bit of upper body weight training. I'm working with the trainers
from Austria who were with me for my initial recovery period after the surgery
and we're working out at my gym here in Andorra.
"Before the British GP, I'll be testing the bike for one day at Mallory Park in
the UK. It's more just for me to get familiar with the bike again rather than
testing any specifics. It will give me a chance to make sure I'm comfortable on
the bike and in the leathers and that way I'm not wasting the first hour of the
practice session at Donington.
"I've never really had a good race at Donington yet so maybe this year things
will be better for me. I did not race there last year because of my wrist break
and before that in 2000 I qualified on the front row but we had major
problems with the tyre choice for the race. It turned out to be a wet and dry
race and I finished nowhere on the wrong tyres in something like 17th or so.
"Prior to that in '99 I had a huge highsider on Craner Curve. What a massive
get off that was, it was my second race on the bike.
So sure, I'm due for a good race there."
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