Ducati Sporting Club UK - Domski's BBC Report for Assen - Mentions for Dom 'Crasher' Clegg, Kyle & Andy J

Well they chopped most of it out, but here's the BBC report...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/somerset/conten..._feature.shtml

...and here's what I actually wrote;

Round 3 of the Ducati Sporting Club’s Desmo Due series took place at the famous TT circuit of Assen in Holland. Taunton rider Dominic Cann was looking for his first victory of the season following a brace of second places at Brands Hatch last month.

“It’s amazing to be able to ride at such a famous circuit, and it’s a level playing field as nobody in the series has ever ridden there.” Said Cann.

The OD2 Racing team arrived at the newly updated circuit of Assen as part of a new partnership with Cann’s former squad, Team Louigi Moto alongside their new rider Kyle Hinton. It didn’t all go according to plan though and during Friday’s test session, Cann suffered tyre problems whilst following his new teammate and eventually crashed at the hairpin. Luckily there was no major damage and a new front tyre was fitted to Cann’s machine for qualifying courtesy of Intrall Consultancy Ltd. Although the 29-year-old took it fairly steadily, he sent shockwaves through the Desmo Due field by posting a provisional pole position time of 2:11.216, some 2.2 seconds faster than his nearest rival, current championship leader and winner of both Brands Hatch races, Andy Johnson.

“I have to say that I was a bit shocked to be so fast,” said a jubilant Cann “We fitted a new front tyre following some scary slides and my crash yesterday, and I was still taking it easy to be honest. I still think I can go much faster, we shall see.”

Once again, he stamped his authority over the second qualifying session, finding a further three seconds to secure his second pole position in a row. Ali Bisson scored his best ever qualifying result with second place, Andy Johnson dropped to third and Cann’s new teammate Kyle Hinton completed the front row.

Sunday was once again hot and sunny and both local men were feeling the pressure. A crowd of 10,000 expectant Ducati fans from across the globe had descended upon Assen for the Dutch Club of Nederland’s 27th Annual Clubrace meeting, and the UK’s Ducati Sporting Club racers were one of the star attractions. Cann was one of the last riders to take his spot on the grid, but true to form he was the first to leave and yet again led from the start. Hinton also got a flying start and tucked in behind Cann, with series leader Johnson tagging on in 3rd. The trio pulled away quickly from the chasing pack, until red flags at the end of lap three halted the action. Bradford based newcomer Dominic Clegg, had fallen heavily at the chicane and required assistance. Luckily the fast improving youngster wasn’t badly injured and the grid was reformed for a shortened 4-lap dash.

Once again Cann made a great start and quickly disappeared unchallenged at the front. Fellow front row starter, Ali Bisson, had now joined Hinton and Johnson in the fight for the podium. The burly Englishman sat out the previous round after doctors concerns following an accident at the end of last season but had received the all clear just one week prior to the Dutch event. On lap 3, Cann set a new lap record with a time of 2 minutes 6.200 seconds, as he continued his domination of the race and claimed his first race victory since 1999. Johnson eventually got past Hinton for second spot and although Bisson made a brave last lap manoeuvre around Hinton to grab the last podium spot, the Louigi Moto star managed to retake the position almost instantly to cross the line in third place. In doing so he completed a famous 1-3 for the newly formed Louigi Moto/OD2 Racing team.

“What an amazing weekend. I’ve never had a clean sweep before, so to lead every session, get pole, win the race and get the new lap record is fantastic” Beamed Cann “Kyle, Andy and Ali all rode really well, and I was under real pressure in the first part of the race. After the stoppage I knew I had to really get my head down or I’d risk finishing off the podium altogether. Luckily for me it all came together this weekend. I’m stoked.”

The trophy ceremony took place on the Grand Prix podium complete with the national anthem, champagne, flowers and all presented by Ducati’s Head Designer Pierre Terblanche and Ducati racing legend Paul Smart.

Cann is now just 5 points off the lead of the championship, with the next round taking place not quite so far away, just 70 miles this time at Castle Combe on the 10th and 11th June.