Grim start to race day at A-Style TT Assen

The man for all seasons in his World Championship year, MotoGP title holder and poleman at Assen Casey Stoner will be typically unflustered by the sight of rain clouds over the Dutch circuit on Saturday morning.

Having won in all conditions in 2007 and with a strong wet and wet-dry Desmosedici GP8-Bridgestone package at his disposal the Ducati Marlboro rider is likely to be confident of maintaining his excellent form thus far on the 2008 visit to the Netherlands, despite the cool Saturday temperatures and a potentially slippery track.

Stoner is sure to face a stiff challenge from the usual suspects, however, as Friday´s wet third free practice timesheet-topper Dani Pedrosa gets away from second on the grid and general standings leader Valentino Rossi starts in position.

A depleted MotoGP grid will see sixteen riders battling it out for World Championship points in front of the enthusiastic Assen crowds, with Loris Capirossi and John Hopkins ruled out due to injuries sustained on Thursday and Friday respectively.

Following the Saturday morning warm-up sessions the 125cc, 250cc and MotoGP races will get underway at 11am, 12.15pm and 2pm respectively, followed by the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup contest at 3.30pm.