Edwards: Assen isn't the 'The Cathedral' anymore.

One of the many MotoGP riders disappointed by the shortening of the Assen circuit was Camel Yamaha's Colin Edwards, the fastest rider after the first day of action on the revised Dutch TT layout.

"I've always gone well here and it's a circuit I've always liked but it seems that from the first time I raced here in about 1995 they have made some kind of change each year to spoil the track," said the straight-talking Texan, referring to the controversial removal of the North Loop and other more minor changes. "I think the latest changes are a step too far and I don't think we can call this 'The Cathedral' of MotoGP anymore - certainly the Dutch TT has lost a lot of its magic."

Edwards had been sixth fastest in the first free practice session before upping his pace to complete the afternoon hour 0.115secs ahead of nearest rival Carlos Checa, also on a Yamaha, but on Dunlop tyres compared to Edwards' Michelins.

"The bike felt great today and it was easy to ride from the first moment I went out onto the track," said Colin. "Even with the changes this circuit still has plenty of banking and it creates its own load, so that saves a lot of time with the setting and you can more or less ride anything here. I've ridden a lot of inferior bikes to the M1 here and had a few problems but this is such a great bike - we've barely had to touch it today."