WSB hits my favorite track in the world from tmrw PREVIEW: a true classic awaits as WorldSBK hits Assen for Round 3 Monday, 17 April 2023 06:29 GMT “our bike has been very similar for a few years now… we need more.” However, if there’s one place that the #65 can return to the top step, Assen may well be that place. Even in 2022, when in the end, the title was missed by nearly 100 points, he was a dominant force in the Netherlands. Teammate Alex Lowes also enjoys Assen and had it not been for two technical DNFs last year, would’ve had a solid round himself. Elsewhere for Kawasaki, Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) will be hoping for a turnaround in form with the European season now underway, at a circuit he took his last win at in 2018. Oliver Konig (Orelac Racing MOVISIO) goes for points, whilst there’s a fifth Kawasaki on the grid with Isaac Vinales (TPR by Vinales Racing) returning. DARK HORSES TO WATCH: Honda’s step forward, Rinaldi a contender? One of the stand-out stories from the previous round at Mandalika was Xavi Vierge’s (Team HRC) big step forward to his first WorldSBK podium, and he’s hoping to carry that form onto Assen, where he’ll be fully fit, unlike last year. Teammate Iker Lecuona was rapid during testing at Aragon and Barcelona during the break, but a big crash on day two in Barcelona left him injured – albeit in good spirits and back to the circuit for the afternoon. He took a first podium at Assen last year, and hopes for the same again this year, perhaps even more. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was within striking distance of victory in Indonesia but a red flag hampered his chances and eventually cost him a podium. His step forward has been clear, and Assen has seen him show strengths before. Meanwhile, it’s back to the scene of his first top five for BMW for Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), who has had a difficult start to 2023. Also hoping to give BWM something to cheer about is Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW), whilst teammate Loris Baz awaits to be confirmed fit or not. Don’t discount Philipp Oettl (Team GoEleven) either, with the German showing strong at Assen last year. STRONG OUTSIDERS: rookies set to bring the fight, Brad Ray in action It’s a stacked field for WorldSBK in 2023 and there’re big names right the way through. Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) won four out of four WorldSSP races over the last two years and will be keen to demonstrate top ten potential in WorldSBK, as will teammate Remy Gardner. The Australian is back at a familiar track and after a charge through the field in Race 2 at Mandalika – far from his peak physical fitness following illness on Saturday – he’ll hope to challenge for top positions. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) is top rookie in the Championship and will look to put his Assen experience to good use; he led at Assen in MotoGP™ back in 2017, on his way to second, behind Valentino Rossi – who took his last ever win. Lorenzo Baldassarri (GMT94 Yamaha) and Eric Granado (PETRONAS MIE Racing HONDA Team) both hope for a step forward, as does Granado’s teammate Hafizh Syahrin, whilst Bradley Ray (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) makes his highly anticipated debut at a track he knows. Back on the grid too after various appearances in 2022, Gabriele Ruiu (Bmax Racing) gets a first taste of WorldSBK action in 2023 with BMW M 1000 RR machinery.
Assen 98 Fogarty v Chilli, there were tears from the Italian. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=carl+fogarty+vs+chili+
I’ve started to lose interest TBH Am starting to enjoy MGP more and will always have time for BSB. However it will be watched in the hope that the usual suspects are not 1-2-3. I’m a Scott Reading fan and would love to see him doing better but that bike……let’s see what they’ve done during the break, it’s almost like a season opener again this weekend.
5th although he looked like he was ragging the arse off it so not sure how much he'll improve going forwards. Still blows my mind how Brad Ray has only signed up for european rounds. And Sykes, again!!
One small nugget I did pick up from the commentary, Dorna don’t give as much financial support to the smaller teams for transport. Makes the flyaway rounds unaffordable on a small budget. Andy
Watch Danny Buchans YouTube podcast with Brad. He mentions why it’s Europe only in it. It puts him in the shop window too I guess.
Bit weird isn’t it. Has he had his arse/confidence handed to him by the gp bike I wonder… Eurosport listing says fp1 and 2 highlights now but they’re currently showing highlights of the last round Which is a bit annoying as I’m off out to dinner with me mum and dad in 20 minutes
Toprak pulls it out the bag (again) for a front row start. Redding 5th after a nice tow off AL22 , won’t be going anywhere but backwards from there I’d imagine. Brad ray 1.2 off Bautista All signs pointing to an epic (and hopefully clean) race.
Tom Sykes 7 retirements…. In 7 races….. that team are absolute shite… not that I’m a Sykes fan but that must be rough
Is it any different to any other motorbike races throughout the world every race season, with just a few players fighting for the win. They stayed with him until later on when he upped his game.
400 race wins for Ducati - just a few shy of the combined total of Yamaha, Honda and Kawasaki. That's some achievement.
