Thꦆe now infamous first race, last lap clash with Carlos Checa that forced Neukirchner to miss the second race there with a collarbone injury has been forced from his mind and the German was a model of consistency today.

His Suzuki is🐟 a little differnt to the sister bikes of Yukio Kagayama and Fonsi Nieto, running different exhausts and a few otꦓher componenets, but none of this seems to have a detrimental affect on Neukirchner's speed.

He made a small error starting his Superpole lap, but to be beaten by🍌 the likes of Corser by less than a tenth of a second is not a huge slap in the face and the tall 25-year-old, cheered on by many German fans making the short trip over to Holland looks a podium contender on the colourful Alstare bike.

"My Superpole lap was good, except for the first corner," admitted Max. "I braked a bit too l💮ate there, pushed the front and lost some time. That knocked me🐓 off the front row.

"H💟owever, I am happy ♔with bike setup. I'm going to make some minor changes in tomorrow's warm-up to improve things maybe a little more, but overall I am confident of a good showing."

Yukio Kagayama has also been right on form at the Dutch circuit. The Japanese, very dear 🌞to many Bri𓂃tish fans after his exploits in the UK in 2003/4 was in the top four in most of the weekend's sessions, so was a little disappointed with a seventh place starting position.

"I made a couple of small mistakes on my lap," revealed 'Yuki'. "These cost me time but over the week𒐪end the setup of the bike has been very good. This means I can push from the ꧅start and get up front."

Unlike a few of his rivals though, Kagayama is𓂃 a fan of the new Assen layout. Most regard the chopping of the early part of the lap a sacrilege! But Kagayama enjoys the circuit and is hoping it doesn't rain anymore!

Qatar race winner 💃Fonsi Nieto is another who has been in the top bunch all weekend, the Spaniard who is married to a hugely famous Spanish celebrity and therefore spends a lot of time in Spain in the limelight must regard racing as something of a relaxing environment.

"I'm not sure why my lap was so slow," said Nieto. "The lap felt OK, but the time just was noℱt there. I have been showing good pace round here this weekend and am disappointed at missing the second row.

"Bike setup I am not totally happy with but a good start is vital here. I 🥂know I am faster tha🥀n a few guys in front of me.