Pirelli have announced their solutions for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship visit to the TT Circuit Assen, with the available tyres largely similar to the 2023 round. Riders will have two front dry solutions to use and four at the rear, plus wet-weather tyres which could be utilised. One of the rear tyres is the development SCX C0900, which debuted last time out and returns to action for the Pirelli Dutch Round.

REAR TYRE CHOICES: lots to choose from, development SCX returns

After testing in Barcelona and then being available during the round, the SCX-A super soft, known as the C0900, is available to pick in the Netherlands. It’s joined by the standard SCX super soft, ensuring riders have a choice of familiarity or relatively new tyre when it comes to this compound. The other choices are the standard SC0 soft and the standard SCQ extra soft, which can only be used in free practice sessions, the Tissot Superpole session and the Tissot Superpole Race. In the event of rain, the standard intermediate INT tyre and standard wet SCR1 tyre will be available.

FRONT SOLUTIONS: two standard tyres

For the front tyre, Pirelli have brought two standard compounds. The SC1 medium is the softest of the two available and provides good feeling and confidence when entering corners and also at maximum lean angle. Riders can also choose the SC2 hard, which is generally selected by teams and riders at tracks which demand a lot from the front tyres. In terms of wet-weather tyres, there’s the standard intermediate INT solution and the standard wet SCR1 solution.

WorldSSP TYRES AVAILABLE: all standard solutions

In WorldSSP, Pirelli have opted to bring standard solutions for both the front and rear tyres. The front tyres are the SC1 soft, which debuted as the B1333 last season at Magny-Cours but is now in the standard range, and the SC2 medium, which has similar grip to the SC1 but offers more resistance to wear and more stability in warmer temperatures. For the rear, it’s the standard SCX super soft and the standard SC0 soft to choose from. In case it rains, there’s no intermediate tyre in WorldSSP, with the only rain tyre available the standard SCR1 wet compound.

PIRELLI SAYS: “We want to continue the work on the C0900”

Discussing the tyre solutions, Pirelli’s Motorcycle Racing Director, Giorgio Barbier, said: “The characteristics of the track as well as the climatic conditions usually found in Assen are very different from those of Montmelo where we raced last month, and this allows us to collect other useful data from a development perspective. Here we want to continue the work on the C0900, which in the last round gave good feedback in terms of grip and behaviour but given the aggressiveness of the Catalan asphalt, suffered a bit in terms of wear. On paper, Assen is a less abrasive and usually colder circuit; therefore, we expect to collect information that can give us a more complete picture of the potential of this solution. In past years the characteristics of the asphalt have allowed the use of fairly soft solutions despite the cold temperatures, consequently we think there is margin in the teams’ work to find the ideal set up to exploit the options provided. Assen also sees us busy on another front, that of the Northern Talent Cup which holds its first seasonal event here. From this year we are in fact sole suppliers not only of this, but of all those competitions for young talents which are part of the project Road to MotoGP™ promoted by Dorna, including the Asia Talent Cup which made its successful debut last month in Qatar.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) has left hospital after his surgery on the injuries he sustained in a motocross training crash last week. ‘Petrux’ fractured his right collarbone and jaw in the incident, where he went to hospital to undergo surgery. Although he will miss the next MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship round at Assen due to the injuries, Petrucci has left hospital and provided an update on social media, including that he’s targeting a return to action on home soil.

The news broke of Petrucci’s crash on Friday, with the Italian always remaining conscious and he was taken to hospital for surgery. When announcing that Nicholas Spinelli would replace the #9 at Assen, the Barni Ducati team also expanded on the surgery required, with plates inserted into his jaw following the double fracture. A second surgery took place on his right clavicle but with that now completed, Petrucci has left hospital.

On Instagram, the four-time podium finisher said: “Hello everyone, I feel better, I’m out of the hospital, I’m almost well, as you can see the jaw has taken a good blow. I broke it in several parts, as well as the clavicle and the scapula. Unfortunately, I also cut a nerve in the jaw, which may come back. But for now, for the next few days, I’ll laugh with my mouth a little crooked like this. I’m very happy to be here because, first of all, I’m alive, and for a moment when I was crashing, I didn’t believe I would be able to tell this story.

“I thank the doctors of the Torretta hospital in Ancona where I was these days. Doctor De Feudis operated urgently on my jaw, he gave me some plates and screws. He did this masterpiece. I was really hurt. Doctor Balercia, who is in charge of the maxillofacial unit, and Doctor Pascarella, who operated on my clavicle yesterday morning, and put another plate. So, in addition to the two plates, the 20 screws I have on my hand, I added three more plates and some screws but I’m happy I’m going back home. It will take some time to recover. I think we’ll see each other at Misano. I can’t eat so maybe for the first time in my life I’ll lose weight because I can only eat liquids, so it will be tough but as I said I am very happy to be here to talk to you. I really thank you all, all those who have written to me, thank you, thank you again.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) has enjoyed a strong start to his MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship career, with one win and two podiums in his first six races. Ahead of the Pirelli Catalunya Round, the Italian sat down to talk in-depth about the start to his WorldSBK journey, how he’s in the “best moment” of his career after his WorldSSP title last year and the relationship he has with teammate Alvaro Bautista with the pair currently first and second in the standings, with Bulega leading.

THE BEST MOMENT: “I found a very good team, next year I will stay here”

The #11 first arrived in the WorldSBK paddock in 2022 when linking up with the Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team after a difficult two seasons in Moto2™. Although a win eluded him in 2022, he claimed the 2023 WorldSSP crown after an incredible season, winning 16 races out of 24 and taking 21 rostrums. That performance earned him a seat in the factory Aruba.it Racing – Ducati squad for his rookie WorldSBK campaign, and Bulega explained what that meant to him.

“I think now is the best moment because I’m in a very good team,” Bulega began. “I feel strong on the bike, and I feel that I can be competitive; for a rider, this is very important. They brought me from Moto2™ and I was in a bad moment. I didn’t enjoy riding bikes anymore, but they believed in me, and they gave me a second chance. They gave me a really good package and bike, they always believed in me and tried to give me the perfect bike every weekend.

“It was very important for me to join this team two years ago. We are growing up together. I found a very good team, next year I will stay here. I will try to, I don’t know about fighting for the Championship, stay in front and then we’ll see. I always say you have pressure when you’re in a bad position, like I was two years ago. That time, I had pressure. When you’re in a good team, you have a good bike and when results are coming, you don’t feel pressure.”

THE START IN WorldSBK: “Better than I expected… a real dream”

Bulega made his WorldSBK debut at Phillip Island, but it would’ve been difficult to tell it was his first round solely on results: pole in the Tissot Superpole session, a win in Race 1 and two more fifth places ensured he shone Down Under. With the interview taking place just ahead of the Catalunya Round and before he had arm pump surgery, ‘Bulegas’ reflected on his first weekend, the stunning victory and how more than what he achieved that weekend would’ve been difficult.

Bulega said: “It was a very good weekend for me, better than what I expected. Pre-season was very good but when you get to the first race, and you think I am fast and have a good feeling with the bike, when you have to do it, it’s always different. It was incredible and a real dream. More than this was difficult, my team did an incredible job all weekend. During the weekend, it was incredible to win my first race in WorldSBK in my first race, so it was very nice. To share these moments with my team was a great weekend.”

LEARNING FROM A CHAMPION: “I’m happy to share the garage with Bautista because he’s very fast”

Bulega’s promotion to WorldSBK means he’s racing alongside 2022 and 2023 WorldSBK Champion Alvaro Bautista this year, a challenge the Italian is relishing – not least because he’s able to learn from someone with two titles, 175 races, 60 wins and 93 podiums to his name. Both have won one race so far this season, although Bautista had secured more podiums than Bulega, and Bulega explained why he’s happy to be sharing a box with the #1.

Bulega said: “When you arrive in a new category, and your teammate is the World Champion, they’re always the first one you want to beat but not for me. If you ask every rider, it’s always the same. Alvaro is a very good guy. We’re in a very different situation. I’m happy to share the garage with him because he’s very fast. I like it when you have a teammate who is fast because you want to do more. It’s nice to have a two-time World Champion in the box. Phillip Island didn’t change anything. I won just one race, Alvaro is a two-time Champion, so I have to learn a lot from him.”

GOALS FOR 2024: “I already won a race so I would like to win some more…”

Bulega’s early goals for this season would’ve been to adapt, learn and get some good results along the way, but the first win coming in his first race changed how he’s looking at 2024. The 24-year-old discussed how he went from believing a top ten result as a rookie would’ve been a good result to now wanting more visits to the top step even if the process is more important to him at this point than the results.

“I think that, at the beginning of the season, if I was in the top ten as a rookie, it was a good result,” stated Bulega. “I already won a race so I would like to win some more. It’s too early to understand what I can do until the end of the season. I would like to stay in front in a lot of races and try to be on the podium. I don’t care too much about the final results because I’m only in my first year, so I want to enjoy every race. I have no pressure because it’s my first year. I just have to learn. If I can beat my rivals like in Australia but if I can’t, it’s not a problem, because it’s my first year.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Heading to the Netherlands and to the TT Circuit Assen is always an honour for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship and 2024 will be no different. The records are enormous but some of the history that could be made at this year’s Pirelli Dutch Round is rather remarkable. So, buckle up and take a look at just some of the magic numbers in play for round three of the season.

950 – WorldSBK is readying for its 950^th race, scheduled for Race 2 this weekend. So far, there have been 79 different winners, 71 polesitters, 132 podium finishers, 598 points-scorers, 19 Champions and 8 winning manufacturers.

569 – Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) has amassed 569 points at Assen, an all-time record.

400/100 – Last year’s Race 2 was the 400^th WorldSBK win for Ducati, achieved by Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati). This year, Spain could become the fifth country with 100 wins in WorldSBK, after Great Britain (307), USA (119), Australia (118), Italy (108).

94 – If Bautista gets a podium, he’ll match Troy Bayliss’ tally of 94.

35 – The Dutch track is a home for British wins: no less than 35 out of 65.

31-30 – Last year, Ducati upped their tally of Assen wins to 31, which is one more than the sum of its nearest rivals, Honda and Kawasaki at 15 each.

26 – 26 Dutch riders were able to start at least one WorldSBK race. The most successful is Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), the only one able to record wins (5); poles (1); fastest laps (5) and podiums (40).

25/26 – Rea can equal and surpass his all-time record of podiums on a given track in WorldSBK: 26 at Aragon. He’s on 25 Assen podiums. The only year without an Assen podium was 2009 (7^th and 5^th).

20 – No less than 20 different riders have won a WorldSBK race at Assen but just two of them are present in the 2024 field: Rea and Bautista. In the last 20 races, only one other rider has beaten them at the track: Tom Sykes in Race 2, 2018, his last win to date.

20/10 – BMW riders never climbed on the podium at Assen: a top three result will make the Dutch track the 20^th in which BMW posts a podium finish. Also, a win will make this the tenth winning track for them. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) has never won there either.

17 – 17 wins for Rea at Assen: the absolute record for a rider on any given track.

15 – The last of the two Yamaha wins here came 15 years ago by Ben Spies (Race 1 2009). Their only other win was achieved in 2000’s Race 2 by Noriyuki Haga.

8 – Both Jonathan Rea and Carl Fogarty were able to win eight consecutive races at Assen. Fogarty set the record from 1993 to 1996, Rea from 2014 Race 2 to 2018 Race 1.

2 – Only two riders managed to record their maiden career win at Assen: Chris Walker (Race 1, 2006) and Sylvain Guintoli (Race 1, 2012), both of which were wet races.

2×11 – In the last 11 races run here, a streak started in Race 1, 2019, there were only two winners: Jonathan Rea (5) and Alvaro Bautista (6).

2×19 – The last 19 races run here were won only by two manufacturers: Kawasaki (13) and Ducati (6). The streak started after Rea won for Honda in Race 2, ten years ago (2014).

1 – Only one rider was able to win a dry race here starting outside the top five on the grid: that was Jonathan Rea in 2017 in Race 2, from 9^th.

1 – A track of firsts for Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK): first podium and fastest lap in 2014 Race 2; maiden pole, 2018.

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Source: WorldSBK.com

With the BMW winning races – but not in his hands – Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) is as hungry as ever to be in the front battle at a circuit he enjoys. The TT Circuit Assen is a favourite for many but Redding has good memories with BMW there, having achieved his first top five with the German brand in Race 2 two years ago. Now, after a tricky start to 2024 but at tracks he’s never been strong at, Round 3 onwards should see a more competitive ‘Redding Power’ inside the top ten, with the top six his target.

The 30-year-old’s season started with a P11 in Race 1 at Phillip Island before three consecutive 17^th place finishes followed; 12^th in Barcelona’s Superpole Race and 11^th in Race 2 make it a small upturn in form, although Redding elaborated previously that his feeling with the bike is improving and that the result isn’t perhaps reflective of the progress. Three solid top ten results at Assen in 2023 will spur the British star on, even if it’s not been the dream start to the season for the #45.

“I don’t want to go with too much expectation because I’ve been bitten in the arse a few times with that but I’m feeling good for Assen,” began an ever-honest Redding. “It’s a track that I’m good at and my hunger and motivation are quite high for right and wrong reasons: knowing the bike can do it but it’s not me there doing it. That makes me hungry to be there to achieve it myself. The package has the potential so my goal is top six or top five and if we get them, then we can go home happy. If you’re in those positions, then you’re fighting for a podium. I’m not scared of a battle or a fight when the result is there to be taken.”

As far as BMW’s previous form at Assen goes, it perhaps isn’t their strongest circuit. Never with a win, podium, pole or fastest lap, they have two front row places to cheer about: Troy Corser’s P3 in 2010 and more recently, the mighty performance of Markus Reiterberger in 2019, when he took P3 on the grid and ran in the podium places for the opening laps in Race 1. However, BMW had also never had a win or podium at what is widely regarded as their weakest circuit in Barcelona, yet Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) quickly turned their fortunes around for his first wins with the manufacturer. With Redding’s best BMW-Assen finish of P5 coming two years ago, a trio of good points last year, could this year be different?

Explaining how vital the Tissot Superpole session is to give yourself a chance in the races, as well as a clean opening lap, Redding resumed: “Superpole is probably one of the most important sessions of the race weekend, it really can make it or break it. It’s one of the most stressful parts of a race weekend because you don’t have a lot of time to get it right. You only really get two chances and you have to pull it together. We have to be consistent through the races; it gets a bit chaotic at the start with some of these younger guys coming in; they’re trying to win the race in the first lap and it’s a bit crazy to be honest. When you don’t qualify at the front, you’re in the midst of all that and it’s quite sketchy. I’m more mature now and for me, you get points at the end of the race, not in the gravel on Lap 1 but then there’s always a knock-on effect. You need good starts, first laps and then you work on race pace.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The FIM Supersport World Championship continues its thrilling season with a trip to the Netherlands, and the iconic TT Circuit Assen. A track steeped in history and full of iconic moments, 2024 is sure to be no different for the WorldSSP field as the action heats up for Round 3, the Pirelli Dutch Round. There have been three winners and five riders on the podium so far this season, so will there be a new name to add to the list or will frontrunners start pulling clear?

MONTELLA VS SCHROETTER VS MANZI: three-way title fight brewing, or can others join in?

Four points separate Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) and Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse), with Montella taking two wins to Schroetter’s none so far, although he has been close with four podiums out of four. On 65 points and seven away from the German is Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing), who was the Race 2 Barcelona winner and has three podiums to his name. At his team’s home race, can the #62 add to his win tally and close the gap? The other rider to win this year is Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) but a win, a podium and two crashes means he’s down in fifth, but will the #99 be able to change his mixed fortunes at Assen?

A STRONG START: Caricasulo on the MV Agusta, Debise and Mahias underdogs for Assen?

Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) has enjoyed a strong start to life on the MV Agusta, running inside the top eight in all four races this season but his next step will be to target a podium. One of the most experienced riders on the grid, perhaps Assen will be where he grabs his first MV Agusta rostrum. Elsewhere, French riders Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) and Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) both enjoyed a strong Barcelona, fighting in the lead group, with Mahias coming away with a podium. He was on the rostrum in 2017 with Yamaha machinery and will be looking to repeat that, while Debise has taken fifth in three races this year. He’s only stood on the podium in France while in WorldSSP but he’ll hope his strong form means this changes this weekend.

BACK TO THE FRONT: looking to make gains at Assen

Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) sits sixth in the standings and is going in search of his first podium and win of the season, although Assen is a circuit he’s only made the top ten once at. For Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), it’s a return to where his 2023 season effectively ended following his crash with Montella last season and he’ll be hoping to put everything behind him with a strong result in the Netherlands. He was quick in Barcelona but faded as the race went on, but perhaps Assen will be different for the #61 at a circuit he’s had a podium at, back in Race 2 in 2022.

WILDCARDS: Smits returns, van Wikselaar set for debut

Two wildcard riders will race at Assen, and both will be looking to give the passionate Dutch crowd something to cheer on home soil. Twan Smits (Team Apreco) has been in the paddock before, competing in WorldSSP300 in 2021 as a wildcard as well as Portimao last year in WorldSSP where he took a best of 20^th. It’ll be a debut for Wiljan van Wikselaar (WST WIXX Racing Ducati), who won the Dutch Supersport championship last year and is competing in IDM Supersport in 2024. He’s also competed in the Dakar Rally.

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship continues with the Pirelli Dutch Round at the iconic TT Circuit Assen, with track action at the ‘Cathedral of Speed’ starting at 09:40 Local Time (UTC+1) on Friday with WorldSSP300 Free Practice followed by WorldSBK Free Practice 1 at 10:20. WorldSSP Free Practice is 11:20. Then, we dive straight into Tissot Superpole for WorldSSP300 at 14:10 and WorldSSP Superpole at 16:00, with WorldSBK Free Practice 2 sandwiched between them at 15:00. On Saturday, the action begins at 09:00 with WorldSBK Free Practice 3, before Tissot Superpole at 11:00 for the WorldSBK field. After that, it’s race time. WorldSSP300 Race 1 at 12:45, WorldSBK at 14:00 and WorldSSP at 15:15. The round concludes on Sunday, with three Warm Up sessions starting the day from 09:00 before racing begins at 11:00 with the Tissot Superpole Race. WorldSSP300 Race 2 starts at 12:45, WorldSBK at 14:00 and WorldSSP at 15:15.

THE NEW ERA CONTINUES: watch every moment from Assen LIVE and UNINTERRUPTED using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Friday, 19th April 2024 (all times Local Time, UTC+1)

09:40-10:05 – WorldSSP300 Free Practice

10:20-11:05 – WorldSBK Free Practice 1

11:20-12:00 – WorldSSP Free Practice

14:10-14:35 – WorldSSP300 Tissot Superpole

15:00-15:45 – WorldSBK Free Practice 2

16:00-16:40 – WorldSSP Tissot Superpole

Saturday, 20th April

09:00-09:20 – WorldSBK Free Practice 3

09:30-09:40 – WorldSSP300 Warm Up

09:50-10:00 – WorldSSP Warm Up

11:00-11:15 – WorldSBK Tissot Superpole

12:45 – WorldSSP300 Race 1 (12 laps)

14:00 – WorldSBK Race 1 (21 laps)

15:15 – WorldSSP Race 1 (18 laps)

Sunday, 21st April

09:00-09:10 – WorldSBK Warm Up

09:20-09:30 – WorldSSP300 Warm Up

09:40-09:50 – WorldSSP Warm Up

11:00 – WorldSBK Tissot Superpole Race (10 laps)

12:45 – WorldSSP300 Race 2 (12 laps)

14:00 – WorldSBK Race 2 (21 laps)

15:15 – WorldSSP Race 2 (18 laps)

Source: WorldSBK.com

The third round of the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship will not feature Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) after the Italian suffered a motocross training incident in Italy. Already with a podium in 2024 and with a solid start after six races, it’s a blow that the #9 didn’t want but with seven weeks off between Assen and Misano, he’ll hope to be back fit for his home round. This weekend, he’ll be replaced by fellow countryman and WorldSSP podium finisher, Nicholas Spinelli.

Spinelli, who has 20 races, seven top ten finishes and one podium from his experience in WorldSSP, steps up to the main World Superbike class for this weekend, deputising for ‘Petrux’. Spinelli is no stranger to the team, having won the CIV championship for them in 2022 under the ‘next generation’ class. 22-year-old Spinelli doesn’t have Superbike experience but he’s a double CIV Moto3 champion alongside his CIV Supersport accolade.

Petrucci’s crash left him with a double fracture to his jaw, which he has already undergone surgery for with the insertion of plates. He’ll also undergo surgery on his right clavicle but is scheduled to remain in hospital until Monday, 15th April, although his recovery will take longer due to the second procedure. The fourth round takes place on 14th – 16th June, although there will be a test at Misano two weeks prior on the 30th and 31st of May, with this the target for Petrucci’s return to the track.

Speaking about being out for the third round, Danilo Petrucci spoke dejectedly after such a strong start to the year: “I’m truly disappointed about this injury. I was in great shape, felt I could achieve good results, and was training even harder. I’d never had to skip a race due to a motocross accident, but I won’t be at Assen. With the plates they’ve inserted, I wouldn’t even be able to put on my helmet. In agreement with the doctors, we decided to operate on the clavicle too. I want to be there for the Misano tests at the end of May.”

With a career-first WorldSBK call-up, Spinelli is relishing the opportunity, despite the circumstances: “I am so sorry for Danilo’s accident and I wish him a speedy recovery, but I am really happy with this call. Racing with the guys of Superbike is a dream come true, I will try my best to do well and enjoy this experience. A big thank you to Marco Barnabo and the whole team who still believe in me after the season we had together.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

A track steeped in history and where the fans breathe a passion for motorcycle racing. A Championship that has seen three last lap deciders in the first six races of the season, bringing unpredictability and unimaginable stories along with it. This weekend, both worlds meet for one of the most anticipated rounds on the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship calendar; the Pirelli Dutch Round. The TT Circuit Assen welcomes WorldSBK for round three of the season and after the monumental achievements of last time out in Barcelona, drama is never far away in the Netherlands as the Championship readies for race #950 in Race 2.

TOPRAK AND BMW: WorldSBK’s story of the moment headlines Assen

Race 1 and the Superpole Race in Barcelona went down in history for Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and will live long in the memory for those watching from trackside and afar. The 2021 World Champion took a dramatic first win with the German manufacturer in Race 1 after managing his tyre to beat Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), whilst in the Superpole Race, he denied Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) with a Rossi-style last lap, last corner pass. A P3 in Race 2 sees him sitting fourth overall and is the rider in form, although he’s never won at Assen before. His teammate is also likewise competitive and with a home round, Michael van der Mark will be keen for his first podium in two and a half years to come in front of a massive crowd.

DUCATI HAVE NEW RIVALS: Bulega leads the charge, Bautista back to winning ways

Inexperience may have cost Bulega victory in Barcelona and bad starts may also be complicating matters further but he leads the way into round three. The Italian rookie, a sensation already in 2024, has come into Ducati’s WorldSBK outfit and taken no prisoners, something that teammate and reigning double World Champion Bautista will have felt. 12 points split them but the dynamic could change again this weekend. Assen is a circuit where experience counts and it’s the first track on the calendar that there’s been no prior testing, making Friday one of the most important none-race days of the season so far. Will Bulega be able to get dialled in straight away, more-so following arm-pump surgery, or can Bautista hit the ground running at a circuit where he’s won the last four races? This new situation of having two riders who can go toe-to-toe for victories will also be interesting from a managerial perspective; how will Serafino Foti and the rest of Ducati’s top brass manage the evolution of Bulega vs Bautista?

THE ASSEN MASTER: Rea chases first Yamaha podium

17 wins, 25 podiums: they aren’t career stats – some riders would be happy with that – but they are Jonathan Rea’s (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) Assen stats. Remarkable isn’t a strong enough word for just how good the six-time World Champion is at the Dutch venue, although he’s not been able to win there since 2022. He’s not had the start to his Yamaha journey that he’d have liked with just eight points achieved from six races, although there was a small breakthrough during Barcelona and he will be hoping his season really starts at ‘The Cathedral of Speed’. For teammate Andrea Locatelli, the Italian has had a podium every year at Assen, including a first of his WorldSBK career in 2021. He’s getting closer and Paul Denning recently said that the “very next step has to be to win” for the 55. Likewise fast at Assen, watch out for top six finishers from 2023 Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) and Remy Gardner.

LOWES AND KAWASAKI STRONG: can they both rekindle some Dutch magic?

It’s been a circuit of firsts for Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) in the past with a first fastest lap and podium in 2014 and then a first pole in 2018. Now for Kawasaki, he’s joint-second in the Championship and just 12 points away from Bulega; Kawasaki have won 13 of the last 19 races at Assen but nothing since 2022; Lowes has been competitive in 2024 and will have eyes on a podium, whereas teammate Axel Bassani has always been inside the top ten before – albeit for Ducati – but will hope he can fight inside the top ten again. Keep an eye on Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) who had a strong showing in Barcelona even if he did finish P15 at the flag.

ROOKIE WATCH: Iannone chasing victory once again

After suffering a first crash in race conditions in Race 2 at Barcelona, Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) aims to bounce back at Assen, the first track where there’s been no prior testing, so it will be interesting to see how he and the rest of the rookies get on. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) has already led race laps in 2024 but now just needs to work on tyre life and managing the race simulation, although the pace is undoubtedly present. Tarran Mackenzie (PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team) has had a Superbike podium in 2018 in BSB so is back on familiar territory, whilst it will be a first Superbike experience for teammate Adam Norrodin at the famous Dutch venue.

DARK HORSES: will there be a different name fighting at the front in 2024?

Despite podium already in 2024, Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) will miss the Dutch Round after suffering a motocross fall in training. The Italian crashed in Italy last week and had to undergo surgery after suffering injuries to his shoulder blade, collarbone, and jaw. He will be replaced by Nicholas Spinelli, who makes his WorldSBK debut.Further back and completing the top ten in the standings, Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) seeks a return to the top six competition, whereas teammate Scott Redding has stated that his aim is that too. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing) has enjoyed podiums at Assen but didn’t manage a top ten in Barcelona where he was previously a winner, whilst Team HRC hope they can fight inside the top ten with Xavi Vierge and Iker Lecuona, with it being the track where the latter took a podium at in 2022.

A CLASSIC VENUE: some must-watch races to get you warmed up

With Race 2 set to be the 950^th in WorldSBK history, Assen has made history along the way in more ways than one. The classic of 1996’s Race 2 saw a three-way fight until the end, whereas in 1998, Carl Fogarty and Frankie Chili came to blows on the final lap. 2000’s Race 2 was Yamaha’s first win at the track, courtesy of Noriyuki Haga after a mind-blowing scrap with Troy Bayliss. Fast-forward to 2004, Chris Vermeulen wins for Dutch team Ten Kate Racing after a head-to-head classic with James Toseland in Race 2. One of the greatest races of all-time came in 2006 when Chris Walker, after running off-track at Turn 2 on the opening lap, came from last to first for his only World Superbike win and a year later, the track delivered again when Troy Bayliss robbed James Toseland of a career-first double in Race 2.

2009’s battle between Haga, Ben Spies and Leon Haslam was memorable too, as was Michael van der Mark’s first podium in WorldSBK in 2015. There was more Dutch magic coming in 2019 when he took his best-ever result at the circuit in Race 2, beating Jonathan Rea. 2022 was also a dramatic year as big rivals Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jonathan Rea clashed and crashed in Race 2, paving the way for Alvaro Bautista to take victory ahead of Andrea Locatelli and Iker Lecuona.

Get the FREE Official Programme here, catch up on Round 2 from 2024 in Barcelona here and watch the round wherever you are and whenever you want with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is shaping up to be one of the most memorable ever, with six thrilling races at two iconic circuits already in the history books. Four winners, seven riders on the podium from four manufacturers and three different brands winning already mean there’s a lot that we’ve learnt from this season, but also a lot still to learn. So, what have we been able to work out in the early stages of 2024?

BMW’S BIG STEP FORWARD: a consistent podium challenger?

Australia gave a glimpse of what BMW might be able to achieve in 2024, but Phillip Island is always tricky in terms of how the rest of the season will play out. A few weeks later in Barcelona, and the German manufacturer were fighting at the front once again. Two wins from Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) were the highlight but teammate Michael van der Mark was also fighting towards the podium places, taking fourth in Race 2. Next door at Bonovo Action BMW, Scott Redding and Garrett Gerloff will be hoping they can crack the top ten and podium places, but it appears there’s been a genuine step made by BMW with the M 1000 RR.

A POTENTIAL HEADACHE: Bulega takes the fight to Bautista early on…

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) arrived in WorldSBK as the reigning World Supersport Champion, but the expectation was he’d settle in at Ducati this year, before emerging as a contender in the future. That’s not been the case, however. A stunning Race 1 victory in Australia was backed up with second in Race 1 in Barcelona and, while poor starts and perhaps a bit of inexperience have cost him, he’s already taking the fight to teammate Alvaro Bautista. 12 points separates the pair, in the #11’s favour, after two rounds. Will Bulega continue to fight with Bautista in the early stages of 2024?

KAWASAKI’S FORM: strong in the early part of 2024

After losing Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) for 2024, the Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK have started the season strongly. Two wins in Australia for Alex Lowes were backed up with three top-six finishes in Barcelona for the #22, and the 75 points he’s collected so far makes it his strongest start to a season – points wise after two rounds – since he joined Kawasaki in 2020. Now working with Pere Riba as his crew chief, it seems the hard work and team reshuffle is paying off for Lowes. There’s also been steps made by new recruit Axel Bassani as he adapts to the ZX-10RR, taking tenth in Race 1 in Barcelona and finishing only six seconds down on his teammate.

ROOKIES CONTINUE TO SHINE: leading races, fighting for the podium, mixing it with factory teams…

Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) has been one of the standout rookies after his podium exploits in Australia, and he repeated that in Barcelona in the unforgettable Tissot Superpole Race. But he isn’t the only rookie to impress. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) has been strong, leading in Catalunya, and while he hasn’t got a rostrum yet, it’s surely not far away. Bulega, of course, was mentioned earlier but it’s worth reiterating that he’s a rookie leading the Championship. Further down the grid and a bit under the radar, but Tarran Mackenzie (PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda) has been able to fight with the factory Honda riders, beating Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) in the Barcelona Superpole Race as he re-adapts to WorldSBK machinery.

LOOKING TO FIND GAINS: Honda searching for a big step…

Honda’s new bike was announced, and the immediate reactions were positive, but 2024 has been a struggle for Lecuona and teammate Xavi Vierge. Just one top-ten finish so far between Lecuona, Vierge, Mackenzie and Adam Norrodin (PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda) show the extent of Honda’s issues, and the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya – a track they’ve gone well at in the past – didn’t help in 2024 with all riders outside the top ten. Everyone at Honda will be hoping they can move forward as soon as possible.

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Source: WorldSBK.com