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The Cathedral of Speed, a place of timeless classics. New and old, modern or vintage, multi-generational or for the first timers; everyone who visits the TT Circuit Assen knows just what kind of special place it really is. An atmosphere few can rival, let alone match, on a hallowed turf where memories, battles, clashes, crashes, rivalries and celebrations have all been born, this is a place where history has been made for over 30 years. The 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship’s Pirelli Dutch Round will be no different. A title race alive and kicking, stars struggling as new contenders emerge and manufacturers making one small step up but one giant leap in competitivity, this weekend promises to have it all. And in the very real chance of an unpredictable result, there’s only one explanation: ‘it’s Assen’, and these things happens here.

PENDULUM SWINGING: Bautista vs Razgatlioglu in the title race

Whilst it may be Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) who leads Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) in the Championship standings by 37 points, don’t count any unhatched chickens just yet. Bautista won Race 2 last year and two races in 2019, so he’ll be in the mix again as the Ducati Panigale V4 R continues to make strides, but Razgatlioglu was right there last year. Not a circuit that is naturally suiting Toprak, but indeed one that suits his bike, could Assen be the place where he picks up a first full-race victory? Four podiums from the last six Assen races (with Race 2 being unlucky for the Turk in both years with collisions), are we set to see an Assen showdown at the chicane to remember?

CATHEDRAL OF DREAMS? Maiden wins, home-hero set to shine or something else?

He’s third in the Championship and without a race win, despite finishing inside the top five in all races so far and with three podiums to his name, but can Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) convert his previous Assen success onto the top step? A maiden podium with third in 2021’s Race 2 followed up by a fine second in Race 2 last year, the trend says that an in-form Locatelli could be one to watch. He’ll certainly be in the fight for the podium. Or perhaps, there’ll be some magic from home-hero Michael van der Mark (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team). Keen and hoping to step on the rostrum at home, van der Mark always find a step on home turf. Podiums in the past for Honda and Yamaha, can he now deliver a first rostrum of the year for BMW? Perhaps it will be a weekend to remember for Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) – fourth in the standings and yet to take a podium, but at a circuit he goes well at (never outside of the top ten in WorldSBK), it may well be his time to shine.

17 ASSEN WINS: Discard Rea and Kawasaki at your own peril

He’s the master of Assen, with more race wins at the historic Dutch venue than anyone else at any other circuit. In fact, Jonathan Rea’s (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) win tally at Assen is so high, he’d be 16^th in the all-time WorldSBK win rankings with them alone. This season hasn’t gone to plan for Rea, with a bike that’s being pushed to its absolute limits and, in Rea’s own words, “our bike has been very similar for a few years now… we need more.” However, if there’s one place that the #65 can return to the top step, Assen may well be that place. Even in 2022, when in the end, the title was missed by nearly 100 points, he was a dominant force in the Netherlands. Teammate Alex Lowes also enjoys Assen and had it not been for two technical DNFs last year, would’ve had a solid round himself. Elsewhere for Kawasaki, Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) will be hoping for a turnaround in form with the European season now underway, at a circuit he took his last win at in 2018. Oliver Konig (Orelac Racing MOVISIO) goes for points, whilst there’s a fifth Kawasaki on the grid with Isaac Vinales (TPR by Vinales Racing) returning.

DARK HORSES TO WATCH: Honda’s step forward, Rinaldi a contender?

One of the stand-out stories from the previous round at Mandalika was Xavi Vierge’s (Team HRC) big step forward to his first WorldSBK podium, and he’s hoping to carry that form onto Assen, where he’ll be fully fit, unlike last year. Teammate Iker Lecuona was rapid during testing at Aragon and Barcelona during the break, but a big crash on day two in Barcelona left him injured – albeit in good spirits and back to the circuit for the afternoon. He took a first podium at Assen last year, and hopes for the same again this year, perhaps even more. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was within striking distance of victory in Indonesia but a red flag hampered his chances and eventually cost him a podium. His step forward has been clear, and Assen has seen him show strengths before.

Meanwhile, it’s back to the scene of his first top five for BMW for Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), who has had a difficult start to 2023. Also hoping to give BWM something to cheer about is Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW), whilst teammate Loris Baz awaits to be confirmed fit or not. Don’t discount Philipp Oettl (Team GoEleven) either, with the German showing strong at Assen last year.

STRONG OUTSIDERS: rookies set to bring the fight, Brad Ray in action

It’s a stacked field for WorldSBK in 2023 and there’re big names right the way through. Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) won four out of four WorldSSP races over the last two years and will be keen to demonstrate top ten potential in WorldSBK, as will teammate Remy Gardner. The Australian is back at a familiar track and after a charge through the field in Race 2 at Mandalika – far from his peak physical fitness following illness on Saturday – he’ll hope to challenge for top positions. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) is top rookie in the Championship and will look to put his Assen experience to good use; he led at Assen in MotoGP™ back in 2017, on his way to second, behind Valentino Rossi – who took his last ever win. Lorenzo Baldassarri (GMT94 Yamaha) and Eric Granado (PETRONAS MIE Racing HONDA Team) both hope for a step forward, as does Granado’s teammate Hafizh Syahrin, whilst Bradley Ray (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) makes his highly anticipated debut at a track he knows. Back on the grid too after various appearances in 2022, Gabriele Ruiu (Bmax Racing) gets a first taste of WorldSBK action in 2023 with BMW M 1000 RR machinery.

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