RACE WEEKEND REPORT | WSBK Dutch 2025

The 2025 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship has already completed its first four rounds, with the iconic TT Circuit Assen hosting the latest action. Three different riders stood on the top step over the weekend: Nicolo Bulega for Aruba.it Racing – Ducati, Toprak Razgatlioglu with the ROKiT BMW outfit, and Andrea Locatelli representing Pata Maxus Yamaha.

Race One

Nicolo Bulega (Ducati) took a commanding win in the opening WorldSBK race at Assen, extending his championship lead. After starting from the front row, Bulega quickly took control and built up a gap of nearly eight seconds by the end. Andrea Locatelli (Yamaha) finished second after a strong and consistent ride, while Danilo Petrucci (Ducati) completed the podium after passing Toprak Razgatlioglu (BMW) in the final laps. Razgatlioglu, who had started from sixth due to a grid penalty, faded late in the race and ended fourth. Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge brought both HRC Hondas into the top six. Axel Bassani crashed out from seventh on the final lap, losing valuable points.

Superpole Race

In wet conditions, Toprak Razgatlioglu (BMW) claimed a dominant victory in the 10-lap sprint at Assen. Starting from the front row, he took the lead early and pulled clear, eventually winning by over four seconds. Behind him, Sam Lowes (Ducati) secured his first-ever WorldSBK podium in second place, bouncing back after a tough opening corner. Álvaro Bautista (Ducati) completed the podium in third.

Championship leader Nicolo Bulega had been running second before a technical issue forced him to retire mid-race, opening the door for Toprak to close the points gap.

Race Two

Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) claimed his first-ever WorldSBK race victory after a dramatic Race 2 in Assen. The Italian held off Álvaro Bautista (Ducati) and Remy Gardner (Yamaha), who completed the podium.

Nicolo Bulega had taken the lead with a few laps to go and looked set for a clear win, but a sudden technical issue forced him to retire – just like in the earlier Superpole Race. His frustration was clear as he slammed his visor after stopping.

Toprak Razgatlioglu (BMW) struggled for pace throughout the race and slipped back to eighth in the final laps, passed by Alex Lowes and Iker Lecuona. Sam Lowes finished fourth as the top independent rider.

Despite the DNF, Bulega remains the championship leader, though his gap over Razgatlioglu has slightly narrowed.

WSBK rider's standings after Round 3: