WSBK preview: Assen

The Eni FIM Superbike World Championship is gearing up for round three of the title, due to be held at the historic Assen TT circuit over April 26 to 28. The capital of the province of Drenthe has always stood for motorcycle racing – the first event took place there (on public roads) in 1925 and the permanent circuit has been hosting World Superbike racing since 1992, with no fewer than 42 SBK rounds to date.

The circuit is the perfect hunting ground for the current championship leader Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team). Last year the Frenchman scored his maiden World Superbike win in Race 1, which was enhanced by a second place in race two. The 30-year-old from Montélimar, in France’s southeast, is on a roll, and so far this season has pushed his RSV4 to a win and three second places.

For teammate Eugene Laverty, however, Assen represents a time to get even, after the Irishman endured a double DNF at Aragon. Laverty won twice at Assen in his Supersport days (2009 and 2010) and he finished third last year in race two after successfully defending his position from then BMW teammates Marco Melandri and Leon Haslam.

The man on the move is Chaz Davies (BMW Motorrad GoldBet), who is back on the track that started his unstoppable charge to the World Supersport title in 2011. Together with teammate Melandri, the Brit – who lies second in the standings thanks to the Aragon double win – will try to give BMW its first podium on the Dutch track (where it’s so far recorded a best result of fifth place).

Assen is the home round for the Pata Honda World Superbike Team, in what is a difficult time for the Nieuwleusen-based team. Jonathan Rea scored four of his 10 WSBK race wins at Assen, at least one per year from 2010 on. Leon Haslam also has good memories of Assen with Honda: in 2009, when he returned to WSBK, the rider from Derby finished both races on the podium (a third and a second place).

Carlos Checa and Ayrton Badovini (Team Ducati Alstare) got the best of a two-day test last week at Jerez to better prepare to the upcoming round. The goal for both riders is to make up lost ground and to show the potential of the 1199 Panigale R on a track that should suit the new machine nicely.

Briton Tom Sykes makes his return to Assen after the unfortunate 2012 event that saw him forced to an early retirement due to a technical problem in race one, and sixth at the chequered flag in race two. The Kawasaki Racing Team rider hasn’t had the best start of the season, especially compared to the promising results of winter testing and the high expectations stemming from last year’s result. Sykes is now sixth in the standings. Loris Baz will be back on a WSBK machine after being part of the winning team in the 77th Bol d’Or endurance race – along with close friend and Superstock 1000 rider Jeremy Guarnoni.

Meantime, Jules Cluzel will be joined by FIXI Crescent Suzuki teammate Leon Camier at Assen, with the latter's participation initially in doubt following a left knee injury sustained at Aragon. Aussie Damian Cudlin was on standby if Camier was declared unfit.

For more information visit www.worldsbk.com.