The appeal of Assen and Agostini

I've never been to Holland before but this really is a place I could fall in love with, what with the sunshine, hundreds of bicycles being pedalled around by lovely looking blonde haired men and women, and the picturesque canals meandering through the towns and villages.

Nicky Hayden during practice at Assen. Photo: AP

No wonder so many riders think the Dutch TT is one of the best dates in the diary. Current championship leader Jorge Lorenzo describes this historic circuit as his favourite, having won here in both the 125cc and the 250cc, while Nicky Hayden says it is a "unique and special circuit", the venue for some of his best races.

So what makes the Assen track so special? They certainly don't have an elite drivers club in the middle of the circuit full of posh paintings like Silverstone but there is just as much history.

This year, the Dutch TT celebrates its 80th anniversary and is the only venue on the calendar that has hosted a GP every year since the FIM Road Racing World Championship started in 1949. In fact, you know it must be a special place fans describe it lovingly as 'The Cathedral'.

For those lucky enough to come here, you drive along the old course as you make your way to the circuit. Assen was famous for being a street circuit before the likes of Monaco and Valencia were even thought about. Even pootling along at 20mph, you get a sense of the history, bravery and sheer nerve drivers would have had to possess to race on those roads, which are lined by gaping ditches on either side.

There is a massive mural adorning the entrance to the tunnel that takes you to the heart of the track. On it are such legends as Barry Sheene, Mick Doohan, Giacomo Agostini and our very own Carl Fogarty, the most World Superbike racer of all time. To me, the mural shows that Assen is a really great track. It is loved by one and all, no matter whether they ride a 125cc, a World Superbike or a MotoGP bike.

The mural in all its glory

Talking of Agostini, the Italian legend will be here this weekend taking part in a parade lap with the Yamaha Classic Race Team. He will take to the circuit just before the main race on Saturday and already I am excited. I have seen him walking around the pits and paddock, even managing to say hello to him, but to see him on a bike on one of the most amazing circuits in the world is a real treat.

Finally, a blog would not be a blog without a little talk of the reigning world champion, would it? By now, you have probably heard that Valentino Rossi will be replaced in the series by Wataru Yoshikawa, a two-time winner of the Japanese Superbike series.

Yoshikawa is the second Japanese test rider to come into the championship after Kousuke Akiyoshi was named as stand-in for the injured Interwetten Honda rider Hiroshi Aoyama, who faces a long lay-off after fracturing a vertebra at Silverstone.

I would not expect either rider to set the MotoGP circuit on fire but at least the grid will be back up to full strength. The way things are looking at the moment, the race this weekend should be a good one and hopefully it will live up to the high standards this legendary circuit is used to.