WorldSBK Assen: WorldSSP race preview

After two last-lap deciders last time out at MotorLand Aragon, the FIM Supersport World Championship returns to action at the TT Circuit Assen for the Motul Dutch Round.

The ‘Cathedral of Speed’ hosts Round two of the 2022 season and, after the thrilling season-opener, there’s plenty of headlines to keep an eye on. Assen is a circuit steeped in history and there is now a chance for more riders to write their names in the record books at the iconic circuit.

There is plenty of Dutch representation on the grid in the form of teams and riders, with Ten Kate Yamaha racing at their home round as reigning Riders’ and Teams’ Champions with Dominique Aegerter. The last time they came home as Champions was back in 2011, but they ran away with a double victory at Assen in 2021, when running a special yellow livery. Aegerter had a hard-fought battle with Lorenzo Baldassarri (Evan Bros. Yamaha) who claimed victory in race one last time out – his first WorldSSP race – and the Dutch Round will be his first visit to Assen in the WorldSSP class, although he has been here with Moto2, claiming a best result of fifth.

Dutch rider Glenn van Straalen (EAB Racing) narrowly missed a first WorldSSP podium at Aragon after losing out in a last-corner battle with Aruba.it Ducati’s Nicolo Bulega. Van Straalen raced at Assen in WorldSSP in 2019 and claimed ninth place, while it was also the venue of his two WorldSSP300 podiums in 2017 and 2018. Could he take a first WorldSSP podium in 2022 at his home venue and boost the potential for Dutch delight? Bulega claimed Ducati’s first WorldSSP podium since Valencia 2007 in his debut weekend, and he’ll be hoping to carry this on at Assen; a circuit he knows well from Moto2 but has yet to taste on WorldSSP