Championship Picture: Bulega Holds Firm Despite Razgatlioglu’s Portimao Sweep
As the 2025 FIM Superbike World Championship gears up for Round 3 at Assen, the standings reflect a fierce early-season battle between two of the sport’s brightest stars. Despite Toprak Razgatlioglu’s sensational triple victory last time out in Portimao, it’s Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) who continues to lead the charge, maintaining his position at the top of the standings with 111 points from the opening two rounds.
Razgatlioglu, riding for ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, clawed back valuable ground with his dominant weekend in Portugal. His perfect score cut the gap to Bulega to just 29 points, putting the Turkish rider squarely in contention ahead of his visit to a circuit where he tasted victory for the first time only last year.
Sitting third overall is Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) with 60 points, just narrowly edging out teammate Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) by a single point. Bautista, the reigning double World Champion, holds fourth place on 59 points as he prepares for a milestone moment at Assen. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) remains solidly in the mix, currently sixth with 56 points, while consistency could prove to be his weapon of choice as the season progresses.
Meanwhile, local favorite Michael van der Mark, who shares a garage with Razgatlioglu at BMW, sits tenth in the standings with 26 points as he prepares for an emotional and high-pressure weekend on home soil.
Assen: A Circuit of Legends and Milestones
The Cathedral of Speed has seen its fair share of memorable WorldSBK moments, and this year promises to add new chapters to its storied legacy. Of the current grid, only three riders have previously won at Assen—Jonathan Rea, Alvaro Bautista, and Toprak Razgatlioglu—all former or current World Champions.
Jonathan Rea, the undisputed master of Assen with 17 career wins at the venue, will be absent this weekend as he continues to recover from injury. His record remains intact for now, but it leaves the door open for others to stamp their mark on Dutch turf.
Bautista, with seven wins at Assen, remains the most successful active rider at the track and is eager to celebrate a career milestone—his 150th WorldSBK start for Ducati—with a strong result.
Toprak Razgatlioglu finally conquered Assen in 2024, taking a long-awaited and emotional victory in Race 2. That breakthrough win has undoubtedly given him confidence heading into this weekend, especially with his current form and BMW’s ongoing momentum.
Memorable Podiums and Returning Contenders
The 2024 edition of the Dutch Round delivered a series of standout performances beyond just the winners. Alex Lowes (now representing bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) and Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) both climbed onto the Assen podium last year—each proving capable of disrupting the usual order when conditions allow.
With the 2025 field as deep and unpredictable as ever, returning to a venue with proven success may provide an edge for both riders, particularly as they seek to establish more consistency in this year’s campaign.
Current Form: Bulega vs Razgatlioglu—A Duel in the Making
Between them, Nicolo Bulega and Toprak Razgatlioglu have swept every victory in the first two rounds of the 2025 season. Each has already delivered a hat-trick weekend, setting the tone for what’s shaping up to be a thrilling championship rivalry.
Bulega continues to demonstrate remarkable composure in his rookie WorldSBK campaign, notching up 14 consecutive podium finishes—an astonishing run that signals not only raw speed but also maturity beyond his years.
For Razgatlioglu, his Portimao perfection was more than a statement—it was a warning. After a steady start to the season, he’s now found rhythm and confidence aboard the BMW, and his focus will be locked on closing the gap to Bulega this weekend.
What Lies Ahead at Assen
As anticipation builds for the next chapter in the 2025 WorldSBK season, Assen presents both opportunity and challenge. With the gap at the front tightening and a field full of capable contenders lurking just behind, the stage is set for an explosive weekend in the Netherlands.
With historic milestones, personal redemption arcs, and title-defining momentum swings all in play, the TT Circuit Assen is ready once again to deliver the kind of drama that only WorldSBK can provide.
Manzi Sets the Pace as Bendsneyder Eyes Victory on Home Soil
Manzi Takes Championship Lead as Bendsneyder Targets Home Glory in Assen
As the FIM Supersport World Championship rolls into Assen for Round 3 of the 2025 season, the standings are tighter than ever—and the momentum is shifting.
Championship Standings After Portimao
Following two strong podium finishes at the Algarve International Circuit, Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) now tops the WorldSSP Championship standings with 85 points. His consistency has paid off early in the campaign, giving him a 13-point cushion at the top.
Just behind is Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing), who continues to impress in his sophomore full season. Meanwhile, all eyes are on Bo Bendsneyder (MV Agusta Reparto Corse), who sits third with 70 points as he prepares to race in front of a home crowd at the iconic TT Circuit Assen.
Home History and Track Heroes
The Assen round holds special significance, particularly for local fans who will be backing Bendsneyder in his pursuit of a maiden WorldSSP win on home turf. Only two riders in this year’s field have previously stood on the top step at the Cathedral of Speed.
Glenn van Straalen (D34G WorldSSP Racing Team) wrote his name into the history books with a victory in Race 2 at Assen in 2024, becoming the first Dutch rider to win at home in over a decade—the last being Michael van der Mark in 2014. Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) also has Assen credentials, having won at the Dutch track back in 2019.
In addition to van Straalen, Stefano Manzi, Valentin Debise, and Niki Tuuli (QJMOTOR Factory Racing) each claimed podium finishes at Assen last season, showing just how wide open the competition remains.
Notable Stats & Storylines
The 2025 season is already shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. With four different winners in the first four races—Manzi, Booth-Amos, Can Öncü, and Bendsneyder—the championship is delivering a level of parity not seen since 2018.
Bendsneyder’s rise to third in the standings has added even more excitement ahead of his home appearance. A strong result in Assen could catapult him further into the title fight—and ignite the grandstands in the process.
Rising Stars and Local Heroes Set for WorldSSP300 Showdown at Assen
WorldSSP300: Garcia Leads as Fernandez Closes In, Buis Ready for Home Crowd at Assen
Championship Standings: Garcia Out Front, but the Gap is Slim
After an impressive double podium at the season opener, Julio Garcia (Prodina Kawasaki Racing Sport) leads the WorldSSP300 Championship standings with 40 points. The Spanish rider delivered two strong second-place finishes, showcasing consistency and maturity that could make him a title threat this season.
Hot on his heels is Benat Fernandez (Team#109 Retro Traffic Kove), who claimed a sensational Race 2 victory in Portimao. The Spaniard’s aggressive and tactical riding style has already made an impact, and with 38 points, he sits just two behind Garcia heading into Round 2.
Rookie sensation Antonio Torres (Team ProDina XCI) has also made a striking debut in the category. With 32 points, he holds third overall, proving he can mix it up with the front-runners right out of the gate. His sharp racecraft and ability to navigate the intense mid-pack battles mark him as one to watch.
Meanwhile, home favourite Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing), a two-time WorldSSP300 Champion, is currently fourth in the standings with 25 points. The Dutchman will be aiming to use the energy of the Assen crowd to his advantage as he chases his first win of the season on familiar turf.
Historical Performance: Svoboda the Assen Expert
When it comes to experience at the TT Circuit Assen, no current rider boasts a better track record than Petr Svoboda (Kawasaki Junior Team by MTM). The Czech rider was dominant at this venue in 2023, claiming both Race 1 and Race 2 victories. While the 2025 season has yet to see Svoboda hit similar heights, his past success at Assen makes him a clear threat this weekend.
With just 15 points separating the top five riders and the unpredictability that defines the WorldSSP300 class, Round 2 at Assen is set to be pivotal. Can Garcia defend his lead? Will Fernandez keep up the pressure? Could Torres or Buis steal the spotlight? All signs point to another action-packed weekend as the championship begins to take shape at one of the most iconic circuits on the calendar.
Official WorldSBK Press Release
