The now infamous first race, last lap clash with Carlos Checa that forced Neukir✨chner ℱto 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 Y꧑ukio Kagayama and Fonsi Nieto, running different exhausts and a few other componenets, but none of this seems to have a detrimental affect on Neukirchner's speed.

He made a small error start💮ing 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 ꦓthe first corner," admitted Max. "I braked a bit too late there, pushed the front and lost some time. That knocked me off the front row.

"However, I am hapꦫpy 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."

Yu💦kio Kagayama has also been right on form at the Dutch circuit. The Japanese, very dear to many British 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 weekend the setup of the bike has been very good. This means I can pus🍒h from the start and get up front."

Unlike a few of his rival𓃲s though, Kagayama is 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 Fons﷽i 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 my𒈔 lap was so slow," said Nieto. "The lap felt OK, but the time just was not there. I have bee🎃n 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 fast🐼er than a few guys in front of me.