After a two day test in Jerez for Althea BMW, the team now head north along with the rest of the WorldSBK paddock to the legendary TT Circuit Assen. The Van Drenthe track is nothing short of a motorcycling mecca with the original circuit having hosted races as far back as 1925.

At last year’s Dutch edition, Jordi Torres completed the races with a double sixth and enjoys riding at the historic track, he circuit one on which he has accrued a wealth of experience. This is also true of his teammate Markus Reiterberger, who scored an amazing double win at Assen when competing in the German IDM championship in 2015, securing him the national title.

With three rounds of WorldSBK already completed, Jordi Torres lies seventh in the general standings with 53 points, with Reiterberger in ninth with 31 points.

"In recent years I’ve raced at Assen with the German IDM championship," says Reiterberger. "We've not always had the best races there and in 2013 and 2014 it wasn’t such a good track for the BMW. But then last year, we found a solution and I scored the double win and the title. I came within a couple of tenths of Rea’s 2015 WorldSBK race time! It won’t be that easy this time around, and I need to get back the good feeling with my bike and work to improve the setting. The Jerez tests gave me chance to work on improving feeling but we only really took a small step forward. Anyway, I’m feeling positive and am looking forward to starting the weekend's work."

“We’re keen to get to Assen, such a special track full of history," added Torres. "I like the track and there’s generally a good crowd, the support is always great. The recent tests at Jerez provided us with a lot of data that will be helpful as we prepare for the Dutch races. I think we’ll be more prepared and relaxed as a result, having taken a step forward. Assen is unique with its chicanes so we’ll need a bike that is strong in the changes of direction. I'm continuing to adapt to my BMW and so I hope we can complete two good races this weekend, in line with my expectations."

The WorldSBK Prosecco DOC Dutch Round kicks off on the 15th of April, before Race 1 on Saturday the 16th and Race 2 on the 17th.