All three races during the World Superbike round at TT Assen had different podiums and race winners making it one of the most diverse podium weekends so far this year. Toprak Razgatlioglu took advantage of mistakes all over the field to seize the win in the Superpole race while Andrea Locatelli won race 2. Alvaro Bautista whom has been quiet over the last year finally found his way back to the podium twice this weekend with a P3 finish in the superpole race and a second place finish in race 2.
Nicolo Bulega failed to extend his lead over Razgatlioglu whom missed out on scoring points in the early rounds due to injury. Razgatlioglu now sits only 21 points behind Bulega which brings him back into championship contention. Despite this the real story is Andrea Locatelli securing his first Wurld Superbike win.
“Finally, my first victory in WorldSBK after a long time and the first with Pata Maxus Yamaha, so an incredible day,” he said. “The sun was coming out today like a signal and yeah, everything was perfect. An amazing weekend, yesterday finishing P2 and fighting well this morning in wet conditions – we were fast also there. A positive, positive weekend – everything was working really, really well. We focused on all the small details to make a step for Sunday because like we know, everyone improves but we were there – we pushed quite hard and I made a good start again for Race 2 to be fighting for the podium.
I kept pushing forward and we got the victory – I took some luck with two laps to go after Nicolo’s problem, but I have also been on the end of bad luck when I have had the winning opportunity, so I know how this feels. Many thanks to all my guys, to all Yamaha’s guys – everyone is working hard behind the scenes for us – a big thanks to my family and my fans, all the people who cheer for us. Let’s continue like this, it’s only the third round. I think we have done a good job so far this year, now we don’t stop to believe and trust in our potential, because I feel like we can get more and more!”
Locatelli started P4 in the race and by the seventh lap had found his way challenging for P2 but after a brilliant pass on Alvaro Bautista and a mechanical issue with Nicolo Bulega Locatelli inherited the win. Locatelli now sits in third place in the championship race.
Race 2 Results from TT Assen