Assen race "thrilling and stressful" for De Puniet

LCR Honda rider Randy de Puniet improved one position from his results in Mugello and Barcelona, but had to fight all the way for seventh place in Assen. The Frenchman battled with two hard-hitting rivals along the way, and took a trip off track for his troubles.

Randy de Puniet - 7th

It has been a thrilling and stressful race for me. The grid position did not help us and I took a bad start but after the first corner I overtook some riders and was up to ninth by the end of the first lap. After that I caught a group of riders faster than me with better engines and could not pass them. Suddenly Toseland passed me after the back straight but he was on the limit and hit my machine. Once again I had to push to catch the group but then Elias came up and hit me on turn no. 3. However I stayed focused and when Capirossi and Elias made a small mistake in the last corner I was ready to take the chance to pass them. After a difficult qualifying we deserve this 7th place. My squad made a very good job on the electronic system between the warm up and the race."