The MOTUL FIM World Superbike World Championship kicked off Sunday’s action at the TT Circuit Assen in sunny conditions, with Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) showcasing an incredible comeback to fight through the field to win a nail-biting 10-lap Superpole Race. The Spaniard won by over two seconds from his teammate Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), who finished second, making it an Aruba.It Ducati one-two.
SHOCK RESULTS: Bautista wins with the podium decided on the last lap
Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) dropped to third on the exit to turn one, with rookie Bulega storming into the lead for the opening stage of the race. Bautista made a mistake early on, dropping to eighth. However, the #1 was not the only rider to make a mistake, with Razgatlioglu running wide and dropping from second to fourth – leaving the #54 with work to do. Bautista charged through the field into second position, treating the Dutch fans to an all-out battle between the Factory Ducati’s on the last lap. Bulega had no response, crossing the line in second – allowing Bautista to win. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) stole third place at the final corner to claim his 37th career podium finish.
Onboard celebration @19bautista #DutchWorldSBK pic.twitter.com/ZLHhHdY3HZ
— WorldSBK (@WorldSBK) April 21, 2024
REA RETURNS: Jonathan Rea finished inside the top five
Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) did not finish inside the top three, with the Australian unable to respond to Lowes on the run to the line. Rea started from pole and ended the Superpole Race in fifth in a great sign of improvement from the #65, who battled for the podium throughout the race. Rea was ahead of his teammate Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha), who finished in sixth place, less than 10 seconds away from the win.
Here is the overtaking for THIRD place#DutchWorldSBK pic.twitter.com/fqjF1r7Q5U
— WorldSBK (@WorldSBK) April 21, 2024
DISAPPOINTMENT FOR TOPRAK: van der Mark finished as the top BMW
Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) continued to build on his experience in the WorldSBK class, crossing the line in seventh. The Brit was ahead of Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), who came across the line to finish as the top BMW in a remarkable result. The home hero was ahead of his teammate Razgatlioglu, who was in ninth, claiming his worst finish since joining the German manufacturer – finishing more than 10 seconds away from victory.
The top nine from the Tissot Superpole Race, full results here:
1. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +2.686s
3. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +7.403s
4. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) +7.551s
5. Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +8.177s
6. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +9.114s
7. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +9.702s
8. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +9.824s
9. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +10.034s
Fastest lap: Nicolo Bulega, Ducati – 1’33.882s
Don’t miss Race 2 from Assen at 14:00 Local Time (UTC+2) using the WorldSBK VideoPass!
Source: WorldSBK.com