Bulega Continues Strong 2025 WorldSBK Campaign with Dominant Win at Assen
Nicolo Bulega extended his impressive start to the 2025 WorldSBK season with a dominant performance in the opening race of the Dutch Round at the TT Circuit Assen. The Ducati rider’s victory marked his fourth win in the first seven races of the season, continuing his strong push for the championship title.
Race 1 Recap: A Commanding Performance by Bulega
Starting from the middle of the front row, Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) took the holeshot and never looked back. From the very first lap, Bulega led the race, maintaining control throughout the 21-lap battle. On Lap 5, the Italian set a new lap record, further emphasizing his pace and dominance in the race. By the time he crossed the finish line, Bulega had built up a commanding lead of nearly eight seconds, securing an undisputed victory.
Locatelli’s Consistency Earns Him Second
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha), starting from fourth, showed strong early race pace as he briefly challenged for the lead in the opening laps. Though he couldn’t hold onto the position, Locatelli’s consistency over the rest of the race earned him second place, marking his second podium finish in as many rounds. The Italian’s performance was built on solid race management, with him also posting the fifth-fastest lap of the race.
A Struggling Razgatlioglu Fights to the Finish
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) found himself in a difficult battle throughout the race, struggling with the pace in the final stages. The Turkish rider’s bike was not handling well, and despite passing Locatelli early on, Razgatlioglu’s rear tyre degradation left him vulnerable. By the end of the race, Razgatlioglu had to settle for fourth, with his battle against Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) ultimately resulting in an 11-point finish.
Honda Duo Benefits from Crashes Ahead of Them
Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge, representing Team HRC, were able to capitalize on crashes ahead of them to finish in fifth and sixth, respectively. The Honda riders benefitted from the misfortune of others, moving through the field as the race progressed.
Van der Mark Struggles to Maintain Pace
Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) had a difficult race, particularly in the later stages. The Dutch rider was involved in a battle for position but ultimately lost ground, finishing the race in ninth place. Despite being a fixture in the top ten early on, van der Mark was unable to maintain the pace and dropped down the order as the laps went on.
Crash Involving Lowes and Bautista
The race also saw a dramatic moment when pole sitter Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) and reigning World Champion Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) were both involved in a Turn 9 crash. The incident forced both riders out of contention for the win, although both will look to bounce back in tomorrow’s Superpole Race.
Post-Race Quotes: Insights from the Top Three Riders
Nicolo Bulega (P1 – Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
“I’m very happy because we started really well from FP1 and we improved a little bit in every session. I had a lot of fun riding my bike during the race, so thanks to my team. They gave me a very good package, and I tried to use it 100% until the last lap. I was quite angry because I missed pole position, and it wasn’t my mistake. It can happen, but it actually gave me more motivation for Race 1. I was very focused on trying to win. I want to enjoy this victory and then we’ll think about tomorrow. The weather might change, it might be worse, but it’ll be the same for everybody.”
Andrea Locatelli (P2 – Pata Prometeon Yamaha)
“I was quite surprised because I was sure we were strong, but I never imagined I could fight for second! I expected a podium but not to be second with a big gap behind to third. We did an amazing job. We’ve worked really well and we had a good Superpole. We’re starting to put all the puzzle pieces together to try to be fast in every situation. I’m quite confident with the bike and we’re working well.”
Danilo Petrucci (P3 – Barni Spark Racing Team)
“It’s really, really nice to be on the podium. When you’re fighting with the top guys, it’s always a matter of details. It can be a tenth of a second per lap that makes the difference. This race was quite difficult because I was afraid of tyre wear. I expected it to be a problem with the rear, but in the end, the problem was the front tyre. In the last eight laps, it was crazy! Me and Toprak had a great battle, but the problem was just staying on the bike because the front tyre was gone. In the end, it’s a great podium and good points for the championship. I’m really happy because we’re doing a great job and hopefully, we’ll be back on the podium again.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu (P4 – ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
“In the race, I had many problems because the bike wasn’t turning. At the beginning of the race, the grip was okay, but after 10 laps, it started to drop. I passed Locatelli, but then I felt something very strange in the last sector. The rear tyre dropped a lot for me, and on the next lap, I felt it at Turn 3. On every lap, it got worse, and I’m lucky to have finished the race in fourth position. It was impossible to fight with Petrucci. We need to improve the bike for dry conditions because the rear tyre drops after 10 laps. If it’s wet, we’ll see tomorrow. I hope in the wet the tyre won’t drop like today.”
Looking Ahead to Race 2
With the first race of the weekend in the books, attention now shifts to the Superpole Race and Race 2 at the TT Circuit Assen. Bulega will look to continue his momentum, while riders like Locatelli, Petrucci, and Razgatlioglu will be eager to make improvements and challenge for top positions.
As the weather and conditions change, the battle for supremacy in the 2025 WorldSBK season is only heating up, and fans can expect more thrilling action in the races to come.
Race 1 Results
1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
2. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +7.801s
3. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +14.827s
4. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +17.137s
5. Iker Lecuona (Honda HRC) +22.653s
6. Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC) +22.865s
Fastest lap: Nicolo Bulega (Ducati) – 1’33.581s – new lap record
Bendsneyder delivers Dutch victory
Bo Bendsneyder Triumphs in Thrilling Supersport Race at Assen
A dramatic red flag incident shook up the Supersport race, but Bo Bendsneyder (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) used the opportunity to take full advantage and clinch a thrilling victory at his home Grand Prix. The race was reduced to 12 laps after the red flag, and while Bendsneyder initially dropped to seventh at the start, the restart allowed him to show his true pace, powering his way to the front.
Race Highlights: Bendsneyder’s Charge to Victory
After a difficult initial start, Bendsneyder quickly found his rhythm during the restart, moving swiftly through the field. Once settled in the top two, he was relentless, passing Can Öncü (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) at mid-distance and pulling away to finish with a commanding three-second lead. His performance was nothing short of exceptional, as he made sure to keep the pressure on throughout the entire 12-lap race.
Öncü’s Strong Start and Manzi’s Charge for the Podium
Öncü, who started from pole position, showed impressive speed at the beginning of the race, opening up a lead of over a second. However, Bendsneyder was determined, and soon the Dutchman and Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) found themselves challenging Öncü for the top spots. The battle between Öncü and Manzi continued until the final corner, where Manzi narrowly claimed second place, maintaining his streak of finishing first or second in every race so far this season.
Red Flag Incident and the Impact on the Race
The race was temporarily halted following a crash involving Loïc Arbel (Team Flembbo-Pilote Moto Production) and Eduardo Montero (D34G WorldSSP Racing Team). The incident forced the red flag to be deployed, and unfortunately, Arbel was ruled out of tomorrow’s race due to injuries sustained in the crash.
Bendsneyder Reflects on His Home Victory
After crossing the line, an emotional Bendsneyder expressed his joy at winning on home soil: “It’s amazing to win at home. After the big crash in Australia during Superpole, I knew it was crucial to score points in Round 1, and winning in Portimão before coming here was important. The goal this weekend was to win again, and we focused on the race distance. Our pace was strong, and I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s race.”
Looking Ahead: Bendsneyder’s Momentum Continues
With this impressive victory, Bendsneyder has continued his strong start to the season. The race weekend at Assen has proven to be pivotal for the Dutch rider, and he will now look ahead to the next challenges. His victory has given him a strong foundation as he aims to keep up the momentum in the remainder of the season.
Race 1 Results
1. Bo Bendsneyder (MV Agusta Reparto Corse)
2. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +3.228s
3. Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) +3.930s
4. Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) +6.298s
5. Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) +10.800s
6. Leonardo Taccini (Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team) +10.924s
Fastest lap: Stefano Manzi (Yamaha) – 1’36.952s
Home hero Buis wins
Jeffrey Buis Claims Home Victory at Assen in Thrilling Race
Double World Champion Jeffrey Buis delivered an unforgettable performance at his home circuit, the TT Circuit Assen, clinching a dramatic victory in Race 1. The triumph marked Buis’ 25th career podium and his 15th career win, making it a special day for the Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing rider. Buis led for five laps and managed to hold off fierce competition in a race that was full of drama and tactical battling.
Race Highlights: Tactical Battle to the Finish
The lead group, consisting of seven riders, broke away early, setting the stage for an intense and tactical race. A crash from Antonio Torres at Turn 5 eliminated one contender and opened the door for the remaining riders to fight for the podium. As the race unfolded over 12 laps, there were nine lead changes, keeping fans on the edge of their seats as the action came down to the final meters.
In the end, Buis crossed the line just ahead of Humberto Maier (Yamaha AD78 FIMLA by MS Racing), with less than a tenth of a second separating them. Maier held off Julio Garcia (Prodina Kawasaki Racing Sport) in a nail-biting finish, securing second place by a slim margin.
Benat Fernandez Penalized for Track Limits, Still Earns Pole for Race 2
Spaniard Benat Fernandez (Team#109 Retro Traffic Kove) was another standout, setting the fastest lap of the race. However, a track limits violation on the final lap cost him a position, relegating him to fifth place. Despite the penalty, Fernandez’s fastest lap earned him pole position for the second race of the weekend, giving him a strong chance for a comeback.
Buis Reflects on the Victory
After the race, a jubilant Buis shared his excitement about the win: “In the last part of the final lap, I was thinking that a lot of guys would overtake me, but in the end, it was only one. At the end of the lap, I knew I was still in a good position and that I just had to brake later into the last corner. I couldn’t settle for second place at my home race, so I had to go for it. It’s incredible to take my 15th win, and it’s even more special to do this at my home race. I’ve never experienced something like this. To celebrate with so many people was unbelievable. The goal now is to make it a double win tomorrow!”
Looking Ahead: Aiming for a Double Victory
With his thrilling home win in Race 1, Buis heads into Race 2 with renewed confidence and the goal of securing another victory on his home turf. The excitement in Assen continues as the race weekend unfolds, and all eyes will be on Buis as he aims to make it a double win.
Race 1 Results
1. Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing)
2. Humberto Maier (Yamaha AD78 FIMLA by MS Racing) +0.093s
3. Julio Garcia (Prodina Kawasaki Racing Sport) +0.191s
4. David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) +0.355s
5. Benat Fernandez (Team#109 Retro Traffic Kove) +0.400s
6. Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki) +0.615s
Fastest lap: Benat Fernandez (Kove) – 1’48.158s
Official WorldSBK Press Release
