West stormed from 23rd place on the starting grid to an incredible victory

Sat, 28th June 2014 – Rain king Anthony West, the 32-year-old Australian, who has been famous for his outstanding abilities in wet conditions throughout his racing career, stormed from 23rd place on the starting grid at the Dutch TT to an incredible victory and awarded his QMMF Racing Team with their long-deserved first ever Grand Prix victory.

After a heavy downpour only minutes from the scheduled starting time of the race, West didn’t hesitate to go on the hunt when the race started and came back from lap one in seventh position. In only the fifth lap, he swept into third place, but was clever enough to then settle into his own pace instead of taking too many risks. When both riders in front of him crashed, West took the lead on lap 12 and defended first place masterfully until the chequered flag came down. West’s success marks the second Grand Prix victory of his career, after winning the Dutch TT 2003 in the 250 cc class in similar track conditions.

Unlike West, team-mate Román Ramos was way outside his comfort zone on the damp Assen circuit and finished the race in 19th position. After a weekend with persistent set-up problems, the 23-year-old Spaniard now hopes for better luck at the German Grand Prix in two weeks.

West’s success marks the second Grand Prix victory of his career, after winning the Dutch TT 2003 in the 250 cc class in similar track conditions.

Anthony West – “I am happy! The race was difficult because we expected the track to be dry, but then a rain shower came down really hard and put us all in a really strange situation, because it was obvious that the weather would improve again. I actually thought to change back to slick tyres on the starting grid, while we were waiting. I am glad we didn’t, because the track was definitely too wet and there were also a few more drizzles during the race. I had a good start and there were two guys in front of me on slick tyres, so I could pass them straight away. I had a clean run to the first turn and an interesting first lap in which I passed many people. Later on in the race, the track started to dry up in some corners. The conditions kept changing quickly and it was really tricky to ride. I felt I was already at the limit and I didn’t want to push any harder.”

”I saw the two guys in front of me crash out of the race and thought it would be best to keep my own pace, keep a clean line and keep the other guys behind me. I knew they would have to take big risks trying to pass me, because I was on the narrow dry line and they would have had to go onto the damp part of the tarmac if they wanted to catch me. It worked out well in the end and I am really happy for myself and for the entire QMMF Racing Team. They are showing a great commitment to racing, they deserve this victory and I want to thank them for the opportunity to ride for them and to compete on the highest level. The last races were difficult, but we have pulled through and it feels good to have a strong result, which is also a boost to my confidence for the next races. I won my first Grand Prix here at Assen eleven years ago and my Dad, who doesn’t come to many races, was present back then. All I tried in the years since that first victory was to win again and the fact that it happened in similar conditions and with my Dad here once again, is a really funny situation. Now I look forward to the next race at Sachsenring. I was fast there last year and I hope I’ll be more concentrated for qualifying and I’ll be able to have another good race!”