Carlos Checa returns to the track this weekend at Assen in the uncomfortable role of being the man to beat. The Althea Ducati rider is currently leading the table with 91 points following a rocket-like start to the season: three wins and a third place. If we also take into consideration the final two rounds of last season (Imola and Magny-Cours) Checa has actually won five of the last eight races. The points leader talks about his sensational start to the season in this brief interview.Carlos, did you really expect such a good start to this year?
"To be sincere I have way exceeded my own expectations. In Australia I was sure I could fight for the win but at I knew it was going to be tough at Donington. Instead I came home with a third place and a win, results that surprised me more than the double win at Phillip Island."
Phillip Island and Donington are two tracks that are particularly favourable for Ducati. What about the others?
"We were lucky to start the season on tracks that are more suitable to our bike. But even Assen might be a ‘friendly' circuit. That will be followed by some circuits where we know it's going to be difficult, such as Monza, Brno and Silverstone. But I'm not too worried, when we get there we'll know how to get the best results. I'm not ticking off any boxes."
Your rivals Melandri and Biaggi in Britain also hit the headlines off the track. What's your view?
"We're not racing for charity, the level of competition is high and tensions can explode. Sometimes things happen out there that can overflow off the track. It's a consequence of our rivalry and the desire to be in the lead and win. We've spoken a lot about Marco and Max but even in the MotoGP race at Jerez a few days later there was tension between Rossi and Stoner..."
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