World Superbikes felt the full force of the Brit Pack last weekend in Assen and proved that they will be contenders for some serious points, if not the title,in both the superbikes and supersports category.

In the first World Superbikes round Haga, Spies and Haslem fought tooth and nail throughout the race in battles reminiscent of days gone by with Troy Bayliss, Colin Edwards, James Toseland and of course Nori Haga, proving what a great circuit Assen is.

Nori took an early lead and looked to have it in the bag, especially after a threatening Neukirchner crashed out of second place. Haslem always looked to be in contention and as well as gunning for the leaders he also set a new lap record. After a thrilling three way battle with both Spies and Nori the resulting edge of the seat last lap changes eventually resulted in Spies taking the win closely persued by Nori and Leon.

Results: 1. Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 36’31.338 (164,628 kph); 2. Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 0.154; 3. Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 0.779; 4. Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 8.775; 5. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 11.275; 6. Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 16.126; 7. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 19.555; 8. Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati 1098R 19.760; 9. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 23.006; 10. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 24.285; 11. Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 26.003; 12. Muggeridge K. (AUS) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 27.814; 13. Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 36.962; 14. Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 39.025; 15. Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 41.505; 16. Roberts B. (AUS) Ducati 1098R 41.810

In Race 2 Ben Spies unexpectedly high sided whilst persuing early leader Nori Haga, this gave Nori a substantial lead over nearest rival Haslem, who again rode an excellent race and took a deserved second place. Jakob Smrz, who finished fifth in race one and has been a good qualifier all season, but had so far failed to turn this into race results, finally managed to get a podium in race two, finishing third after a battle with Fabrizio who lost out to Smrz in the final lap when he had problems with his gearbox.

Brit rider and Spies’ teammate Tom Sykes also rode two good races, finishing sixth both times being narrowly beaten in race two by fellow Brit Jonathan Rea.

Results: 1. Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 36’31.712 (164,6 kph); 2. Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 2.678; 3. Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 4.603; 4. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 8.981; 5. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 12.104; 6. Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 14.575; 7. Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 17.449; 8. Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 17.729; 9. Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 18.167; 10. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 25.056; 11. Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 32.617; 12. Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 32.688; 13. Roberts B. (AUS) Ducati 1098R 37.415; 14. Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 55.088; 15. Scassa L. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 55.325; 16. Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati 1098R 1’18.514

Points (after 4 of 14 rounds): 1. Haga 180; 2. Spies 120; 3. Haslam 94; 4. Fabrizio 80; 5. Neukirchner 75; 6. Sykes 70; 7. Biaggi 65; 8. Laconi 64; 9. Rea 53; 10. Smrz 44. Manufacturers: 1. Ducati 180; 2. Yamaha 145; 3. Honda 109; 4. Suzuki 76; 5. Aprilia 68; 6 BMW 43; 7. Kawasaki 10.

World Supersports
It is virtually impossible to predict the result in what must be the most thrilling world championship. There is always a train of at least ten riders in every race, any one of which has the potential to win, battling with each other in every race and this one was no different.

Brit Cal Crutchlow seemed the most likely winner of this race and certainly the most up for it after qualifying in pole position. However, his race did not start well and he dropped back to mid pack. This was later reported to be a problem with the dash, showing neutral off the line.

Joan Lascorz on the Kawasaki took an early lead and battled at the front with both Brit Eugene Laverty and Aussie Andrew Pitt.

Soon battling for the lead was Crutchlow’s teammate Fabien Foret and Stiggy Honda rider Anthony West. Crutchlow’s sheer determination soon saw him bashing fairings with the front pack including his teammate, who seemed hell bent on putting him into the kitty litter, a point that did not go unmissed either by Crutchlow himself or the commentators.

Pitt saw his chance when the two battling Yamaha riders ran wide whilst vying for position, however Pitt dropped the bike and slid off and had his hand run over by Crutchlow for his trouble. Luckily for Pitt there was no damage only a bit of bruising.

This battling continued right down to the final chicane when Lascorz, Laverty and Crutchlow were swapping places and were all in the mix for the win.

In the end Laverty took the win, with Crutchlow in second and Lascorz in third.

Phew! what a race.

Keep it up lads and lets see more thrilling races like that please.

Results: 1. Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 35’45.160 (160,528 kph); 2. Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6 0.10; 3. Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 0.178; 4. Foret F. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6 1.777; 5. Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 1.901; 6. Aitchison M. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 5.492; 7. West A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 12.551; 8. Veneman B. (NED)Su zuki GSX-R600 12.841

Points (after 4 of 14 rounds): 1. Crutchlow 74; 2. Laverty 68; 3. Sofuoglu 65; 4. West 52; 5. Pitt 43; 6. Aitchison 34; 7. Foret 28; 8. Lascorz 27.