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An Assen race winner in 2011, Checa has reached the podium on several other occasions in recent years, including last season when three Ducatis, including Checa's bike, occupied the rostrum in Race 1. Badovini has competed with a Superbike at the Dutch track on three previous occasions, his best result being a seventh place finish last year.

Carlos Checa: "I hope that the tests we carried out in Jerez after the race in Aragon bear fruit this weekend at Assen. Those two days were very important and in The Netherlands, on a track that is traditionally less problematic for the Ducati, maybe we'll be able to make some good progress. I feel fit and healthy but the unknown at Assen is always the weather - I've seen some wet forecasts already so we need to work to be prepared come Sunday, whatever the conditions."

Ayrton Badovini: "I've been up up at my parents' place and working with my personal trainer during the last days, so I should be stronger when I get to Assen. It's a track that I like, and where I hope we'll suffer a little less as far as the riding characteristics of the bike are concerned. I'm feeling confident, also because during the recent tests at Jerez we identified a few things that weren't working with my riding style and we started to understand what I prefer etc. So in Assen we'll have a clearer idea as to how to prepare my bike."