Belgian rider Ferre Fleerackers (Track & Trades Wixx Racing) claimed his first FIM Sportbike World Championship victory with a hard-fought Race 2 win at the TT Circuit Assen. The Suzuki rider beat Matteo Vannucci (Revo-M2) by less than a tenth with home hero Jeffrey Buis (Track & Trades Wixx Racing) completing the podium in the category’s final race at the Pirelli Dutch Round.

BELGIUM ON TOP: Fleerackers claims victory ahead of Vannucci

Belgian rider Fleerackers got a superb start when the 12-lap race got underway as he maintained his pole position through the first half of the lap, but teammate Buis came through at the Geert Timmer Chicane on the opening lap. However, Fleerackers was able to fight back at Turn 1 on Lap 2 to reclaim P1. Elia Bartolini (CM Triumph Factory Racing) was in the mix in the early stages as he battled with the two Suzukis as he ran in the provisional podium places. On Lap 4, Buis made the move for P1 again as Fleerackers lost momentum and dropped down the order, with Bartolini and David Salvador (Team ProDina Kawasaki XCI) two beneficiaries, but Bartolini crashed out of contention at Turn 5 on Lap 5. On Lap 10, the white flags were waved as rain started to fall. The fight for victory went down to the last lap, with Fleerackers claiming victory by 0.097s over Matteo Vannucci (Revo-M2), while Buis completed the podium. Fleerackers’ win means he is the first Belgian rider to win in the WorldSBK paddock since Gauthier Duwelz in STK600, also at Assen.

JUST MISSING OUT: Five riders within 0.555s

Salvador finished the race in P4 with Kas Beekmans (VLR Racing Team Suzuki) claiming fifth after quietly battling his way into the lead group. The Dutch rider finished just 0.555s away from victory, while also ensuring all three Suzukis finished in the top five. Xavi Artigas (MTM Kawasaki) was just over a second away from victory but the Spaniard was forced to settle for P6.

IERACI TAKES P7: The #18 was in podium contention until the latter stages

Bruno Ieraci (CM Triumph Factory Racing) had briefly led the race but fell down the order to finish in seventh place, eight tenths away from Artigas ahead. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) was aiming for redemption after being taken out of Race 1, and the #71 had been in the lead group, but fell down the order to finish in eighth. Carter Thompson (Team BrCorse) was the highest-placed Yamaha rider in ninth as Antonio Torres (Team ProDina Kawasaki XCI), who had led the Championship heading into Assen, finishing in 10^th; he fended off Benat Fernandez (Kove Racing Team 109) in 11^th.

TO NOTE FROM RACE 2: Several retirements

Felix Mulya (ProGP NitiRacing) did not start the race. Gabin Cazard (Yamaha MS Racing FIMLA AD78) crashed out on Lap 1 at Turn 8 with the French rider retiring from the race. Tomas Alonso (Miguel Oliveira Team) crashed out at Turn 7 on Lap 5, while Fenton Seabright (PHR Performance Triumph) and Mattia Sorrenti (Revo-M2) collided at Turn 5 on Lap 6; Sorrenti coming off his Aprilia and out of contention. The Italian rider was taken to the medical centre for a check-up. The incident was placed under investigation by the FIM WorldSBK Stewards. For Seabright, it was a disastrous race, as he had to serve three Long Lap Penalties: he was given a double Long Lap Penalty for irresponsible riding in Race 1, after he collided with Veneman, while he picked up a further penalty in Sunday morning Warm Up; he had completed all three before the crash.

The top six from WorldSPB Race 2, full results here:

1. Ferre Fleerackers (Track&Trades Wixx Racing)
2. Matteo Vannucci (Revo-M2) +0.097s
3. Jeffrey Buis (Track&Trades Wixx Racing) +0.210s
4. David Salvador (Team ProDina Kawasaki XCI) +0.398s
5. Kas Beekmans (VLR Racing Team Suzuki) +0.555s
6. Xavi Artigas (MTM Kawasaki) +1.078s
Fastest lap: Benat Fernandez (Kove) - 1'42.190s

Championship standings:
1. David Salvador (Team ProDina Kawasaki XCI) 69 points
2. Jeffrey Buis (Track&Trades Wixx Racing) 64
3. Ferre Fleerackers (Track&Trades Wixx Racing) 59
4. Xavi Artigas (MTM Kawasaki) 54
5. Antonio Torres (Team ProDina Kawasaki XCI) 53
6. Matteo Vannucci (Revo-M2) 41

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