Mixed Weekend for Gearlink Kawasaki At Assen Supersport

It was another mixed weekend for the Gearlink Kawasaki team at round ten of the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship in Assen this weekend. Alastair Seeley who is still suffering with healing ribs after breaking them in a crash in August, managed to gain a solid fifth in race one and fourth in race two. Ben Wilson was unlucky in race one and suffered a clutch problem and was only able to finish in 24th place, however, he regrouped on Sunday and secured a fantastic third place.Alastair Seeley is still suffering the effects of two big crashes at Cadwell Park and Donington Park, he reinjured his broken ribs at Donington and is still not 100% fit, once again battled through the pain barrier to bring the Gearlink Kawasaki home with two solid finishes. Alastair qualified in tenth place for the sprint race and gained fifth position and moved up the grid to sixth for race two, he was locked in a massive battle with six riders for second and gained fourth position at the flag.Alastair Seeley - "It was another tough weekend and I was pleased to come away from Assen with some decent points. It has left me with a lot of work to do at Silverstone and Brands but I am still keen to keep fighting for the title even if it goes down to the wire. The last few races have not been good for me; the broken ribs are still giving me a lot of problems especially when it comes to change of direction on the bike. It was another tough weekend so to come out of it with fifth and fourth I am pretty happy with. I know I have a lot to do at the final rounds but I want to be back on the top step and winning again."Ben Wilson was struggling to find a set up at Assen all weekend and ended up qualifying in ninth for the sprint race, despite all his efforts and running in a good position Ben's bad luck continued and a clutch problem saw him drop back down the pack to 24th. He was placed in seventh for the second race and was eager to make amends; he got one of his great starts and was battling throughout the race for second place with Jason O'Halloran, Richard Cooper, Alastair, Glen Richard and Luke Mossey. Locked in a fierce and close battle, he fought hard to secure the final podium slot in third place.Ben Wilson - "We had a few problems this weekend and I was really struggling to find a set up that suited me here for qualifying. I knew I had my work cut out in the sprint race but I managed to get a good start and got away with the front pack. I felt good but from around half distance I was struggling with the clutch and I was able to nurse the bike home but way out of the points. I was disappointed and wanted to make amends in race two as Assen is a long way to come for us all and I didn't want to go home with bad results. I was really keen to get on the podium and it wasn't an easy task, it was a really tough race out there and everyone was changing position on every lap. I pushed hard and wanted that third place, I'm glad I was able to make up for the sprint race and hopefully carry this form on to the last two rounds of the Championship."Team Manager Michael de Bidaph - "We didn't get a good enough set up in the practice sessions so qualifying did not go as well as we had hoped.I feel that we achieved a big step forward for the sprint race and whilst Alastair did well to finish in 5th it was disappointing for Ben to retire with a clutch problem.We made a few more changes for the main race on Sunday and both riders did a fantastic job to finish in 3rd and 4th positions.Assen is an amazing circuit and the fans there are very passionate about motorbike racing. We all had a really enjoyable weekend and are now looking forward to Silverstone."


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