Revving Up for WorldSBK: The Ultimate Motorcycle Showdown

The final day of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship at Assen’s renowned ‘Cathedral of Speed’ commenced with excitement during the Tissot Superpole Race, the first point-scoring event of the day. Following an overnight downpour, the track was still drenched this morning. However, as the 10-lap race kicked off, the sun peeked through the clouds. Toprak Razgatlioglu achieved his first P1 of the weekend and celebrated his inaugural career win in wet conditions by surpassing Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), who had to retire due to a technical issue. Meanwhile, Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) capitalized on the situation to secure his first WorldSBK podium in second place at the same venue where his brother celebrated his first win in 2014. Alvaro Bautista rounded off the top three, marking his 112th podium finish, his 12th at Assen.

SAM LOWES ON THE PODIUM: First rostrum for the #14 as Bulega retires

Bulega began the race in P2, right behind pole sitter Sam Lowes. After briefly taking the lead, he was overtaken by Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), who capitalized on the situation to secure P1. From that point on, Razgatlioglu extended his lead and ultimately finished first. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) also took advantage of a mechanical failure that forced Bulega to retire, passing him on Lap 7 and earning his best-ever result in WorldSBK, despite initially dropping to P10 after going wide at Turn 1. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) benefited from the challenges faced by his competitors to claim P3 amidst the wet conditions.

LOKA vs VAN DER MARK FOR P4: Just a quarter of a second separating the two; Redding gains ten places

Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) continued to perform well in the damp conditions at Assen, finishing P4 and staying competitive at the front. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) achieved his best home round result yet, securing P5 while attempting to overtake Locatelli on multiple occasions, finishing only two-tenths behind. Scott Redding (MGM BONOVO Racing) also showcased his skills in the rain, finishing P6 after making a remarkable climb from P16.

MACKENZIE P9, VICKERS P10: 4 Brits in the top 10

Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) nearly cracked the second row for Race 2, finishing P7, just four-tenths off Redding’s P6. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) once again finished ahead of his seasoned teammate, earning a third-row position for Race 2 with a solid performance on his Ducati Panigale V4 R. Tarran Mackenzie (PETRONAS MIE Honda Racing Team) celebrated an exceptional Superpole Race result, achieving his best position yet in WorldSBK and becoming the top Honda rider for the first time this season. Ryan Vickers (Motocorsa Racing) rounded out the top 10 with his best result of the year as a rookie, having started from 21st position.

The top nine from the WorldSBK Superpole Race included:

1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
2. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +3.798s
3. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +6.895s
4. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +9.907s
5. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +10.147s
6. Scott Redding (MGM BONOVO Racing) +11.621s
7. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) +12.093s
8. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +13.099s
9. Tarran Mackenzie (PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda) +14.860s

Fastest lap was recorded by Dominique Aegerter (Yamaha) with a time of 1’42.697s. Don’t miss the final WorldSBK Race action of the weekend in Race 2, scheduled for 14:00 local time (UTC +2), available via the WorldSBK VideoPass!