With the paddock arriving at the legendary TT Circuit Assen, the focus has shifted from Portimao to one of the most iconic venues on the calendar. Known as “The Cathedral of Speed,” Assen has long been a favourite among riders thanks to its flowing layout, committed corners and passionate grandstands.
After an intense start to the 2026 season, several leading WorldSBK names spoke openly about form, confidence, expectations and future plans before the Dutch Round begins.
Bulega staying calm despite record chase
Nicolo Bulega arrives in Assen as the clear man to beat after winning every race so far this season for Aruba.it Racing – Ducati. His perfect opening run has naturally created talk about records, but the Italian insists titles matter more than statistics.
Bulega explained that confidence is high after such a strong start, but he knows there is no room for complacency. Rivals are improving quickly, and he believes staying focused with the team is the real priority. While Portimao brought more wins, he admitted the feeling on the bike was not as natural as it had been in Australia. That makes Assen an important weekend, as he hopes to regain complete comfort on the Ducati package.
Asked about chasing Toprak Razgatlioglu’s record for consecutive victories, Bulega was relaxed. If it happens, he said, that is great, but if not, it changes nothing. His only real objective is to keep winning races and fight for the championship.
He also confirmed there is growing interest regarding his future, revealing that discussions with MotoGP teams are ongoing, although he remains very happy in WorldSBK at present.
Bassani targeting a return to the podium
Axel Bassani heads into the weekend determined to bounce back after a frustrating time in Portugal. The bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team rider admitted Portimao never truly clicked for him, both in terms of feeling on the bike and overall execution across the weekend.
For Assen, changes have been made to improve performance, and Bassani believes the Dutch circuit should better suit the strengths of his machine. He pointed to strong memories from previous visits and said confidence remains high that the package can challenge near the front.
Bassani also expects a fierce battle, naming Bulega, Lecuona, Montella and Sam Lowes among the likely contenders. Still, he sees no reason why a podium cannot be possible if everything comes together.
Lecuona wants to build on Portimao momentum
Iker Lecuona enjoyed a major breakthrough in Portugal and now hopes to carry that momentum into Assen. The Spaniard has adapted quickly to life with Ducati and believes the results from the previous round proved the potential of the new project.
Rather than setting unrealistic targets, Lecuona said the key is to stay calm and keep working in the same methodical way inside the garage. Friday practice will be important for understanding the bike at Assen and preparing for the races.
The track itself holds special memories for him, as it was the scene of his first WorldSBK podium. On his future, Lecuona said his current contract runs for one year and that extending with Ducati would be the preferred outcome, though discussions are still at an early stage.
Oliveira cautious but optimistic
Home support made Portimao unforgettable for Miguel Oliveira, who celebrated his first WorldSBK podium there. Now the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team rider faces a different challenge at Assen.
Oliveira noted that historically the Dutch venue has not always been the easiest circuit for BMW, particularly in long, fast corners where turning and tyre management become critical. Even so, he believes progress made with the 2026 package can help close the gap.
He expects tyre wear to be one of the decisive factors this weekend, especially over race distance, and says the team’s goal is simple: maximise every available strength and stay as close to the front as possible.
Locatelli searching for rhythm again
Andrea Locatelli arrives at a circuit he enjoys, hoping it can spark a turnaround after a mixed opening to the year with Pata Maxus Yamaha.
The Italian admitted consistency has been missing so far. Repeating lap times and maintaining race rhythm—usually one of his strengths—has been more difficult than expected. He suggested some winter setup decisions may not have worked as planned, but remains confident the situation can be corrected.
Locatelli has been revisiting previous successes at Assen for motivation and believes his experience with the Yamaha package can still make the difference. He sees this round as a possible turning point in his season.
Rea enjoying another chance at Assen
Jonathan Rea returns to Assen with optimism after extra testing time and more laps on the bike. Representing Honda HRC once again, Rea said he feels far more prepared than he did heading into Portimao.
He explained that recent work has focused on finding a machine setup that gives him confidence and allows him to ride naturally. Portimao offered the opportunity to try more aggressive setup ideas, while testing since then has added valuable data.
Few riders understand Assen better than Rea, who has enjoyed enormous success there over the years. He described the final chicane, packed grandstands and unique atmosphere as one of the greatest feelings in racing. While results always matter, his main aim this weekend is to continue building knowledge and momentum.
Sam Lowes boosted by fitness progress
Sam Lowes says extra recovery time since Portugal has made a big difference. The ELF Marc VDS Racing Team rider joked that he feels somewhere between 90 and 99 percent fit, but importantly does not expect his wrist to cause problems this weekend.
Lowes described Portimao as productive, both for points and for understanding the bike. Now, with improved fitness, he hopes to take another step and move closer to the podium battle.
Assen is a circuit he has always loved, both in WorldSBK and Moto2 machinery, and it remains the venue where he claimed his first pole position. With confidence high, he believes this could be one of his strongest weekends of the season so far.
Gardner sees opportunity for Yamaha
Remy Gardner also heads to Assen encouraged by past form. The GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team rider has previously stood on the podium there and feels the circuit suits the Yamaha package well.
Gardner admitted the opening rounds were physically demanding, especially after a disrupted preseason limited his track time. By the end of Portimao he was feeling much closer to his normal level, both physically and technically on the bike.
That progress gives him belief that Assen can offer a stronger result and perhaps become the launch point for a more consistent run through the upcoming rounds.
Montella ready to respond
Yari Montella left Portimao disappointed after showing podium pace but failing to convert it into results. The Barni Spark Racing Team rider used the break to review every detail and says he arrives in Assen refreshed and ready to fight again.
Montella remains confident because the speed is clearly there. He also believes lessons learned from previous crashes have made him a smarter and more complete rider. Rather than dwell on mistakes, he is focused on execution.
Describing Assen as a blend of Portimao and Phillip Island—with both flowing corners and heavy braking zones—Montella expects it to reward riders who can adapt quickly and stay aggressive without overstepping the limit.
All set for a classic weekend
With Bulega unbeaten, rivals improving, veterans regrouping and several riders carrying strong Assen records, the Dutch Round has all the ingredients for a standout chapter in the 2026 WorldSBK season.
The Cathedral of Speed rarely disappoints, and this weekend looks no different.
