The weather, always unpredictable at Assen, was always going to be a factor this weekend, with threatening rain clouds and watery sunshine alternating over the paddock. But the real surprise was a dry Superpole.

The fastest rider in this single lap contest was Troy Corser, who set a time of 1’38.965, leading off Haga, Kagayama and Bayliss, the latter unable to repeat the incredible time he set in free practice (3 tenths faster than the eventual poletime).

In the case of a dry race, the first row were all going to use the 200 mm rears, while the warm-up session on Sunday morning was seen as the last chance to decide front fitments, even if some long runs had already been carried out.

On Sunday morning the rain, and therefore the setup arrived at in the previous dry days, was simply irrelevant.

Race1:
AIR HUMIDITY 92% AIR TEMPERATURE 18°C
TRACK CONDITION Wet TRACK TEMPERATURE 18°

Race 1 was simply amazing. As promised, the rain made everything more difficult, and every lap offered unexpected developments.

The tyre choice was uniform for everybody: there was no way for the racetrack to dry and as it was still raining hard, everyone decided to go with Full Rain tyres.

After a crash from Bayliss, Haga seemed determined to score 25 points and offer us a thrilling end to the season, but because of the slippery tarmac he also crashed, despite the strong good advantage he had over second place at the time.

Under the rain the man of the day was definitely Chris Walker (proven to be fast in these conditions) who took his first career SBK victory and took the first victory of the PSG-1 Kawasaki team.

Behind the English rider Andrew Pitt led Michel Fabrizio over the line, with - once more - three different manufacturers on the podium.

Rider Bike Team Race time
1 Walker Kawasaki ZX10 R PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse 44’23.501
2 Pitt Yamaha YZF R1 Yamaha Motor Italia WSB +4.965
3 Fabrizio Honda CBR1000RR D.F.X. Treme +24.130
4 Nieto Kawasaki ZX10 R PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse +36.968
5 Abe Yamaha YZF R1 Yamaha Motor France - Ipone +37.178

Race2:

AIR HUMIDITY 90% AIR TEMPERATURE 22°C
TRACK CONDITION Dry TRACK TEMPERATURE 23°

With the tarmac still damp but the race declared “Dry”, Superbike riders started with slick tyres and dry setups, thus fitting Pirelli DIABLO SUPERBIKE tyres.

The first two rows opted for the “B1” 200 mm for their rears, with the sole exception of Muggeridge. After just a few seconds of the race Corser, Toseland and Haga crashed, with only Toseland able to rejoin the race.

In front Bayliss slowly created a gap which allowed him to win the race (Bayliss was using a “B” front tyre), leading home (in second position) Pitt and first time podium finisher Nieto (an “A” front solution for each of them).

The public was incredibly happy with the podium, with three different bike manufacturers on the top steps and another of them a Kawasaki. Bayliss increased the gap significantly today, and it will be very hard for his rivals to reduce the gap in the three rounds still to be run.

Race Standings

Rider Bike Team Race time
1 Bayliss Ducati 999 F06 Ducati Xerox 37’29.307
2 Pitt Yamaha YZF R1 Yamaha Motor Italia WSB +9.342
3 Nieto Kawasaki ZX10 R PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse +11.648
4 Kagayama Suzuki GSXR1000K6 Alstare Suzuki +12.743
5 Xaus Ducati 999 F05 Sterilgarda - Berik +12.811

Championship Standings

Rider Bike Team Points
1 Bayliss Ducati 999 Fo6 Ducati Xerox 332
2 Toseland Honda CBR1000RR Winston Ten Kate Honda 232
3 Haga Yamaha YZF R1 Yamaha Motor Italia WSB 230
4 Pitt Yamaha YZF R1 Yamaha Motor Italia WSB 197
5 Corser Suzuki GSXR1000K6 Alstare Suzuki 193
6 Barros Honda CBR1000RR Klaffi Honda 175
7 Kagayama Suzuki GSXR1000K6 Alstare Suzuki 139
8 Walker Kawasaki ZX10 R PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse 123
9 Lanzi Ducati 999F 06 Ducati Xerox 115
10 Nieto Kawasaki ZX10 R PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse 112

AIR HUMIDITY 96% AIR TEMPERATURE 19°C
TRACK CONDITION Wet TRACK TEMPERATURE 20°

In Supersport, like in the first SBK race, the riders put on a great show and there were many surprises.

Everybody started with Full Rain tyres, and from the beginning Sofuoglu and his Honda were the fastest combination on the racetrack.

Behind, the fight was for the World Title, not just the race, and Curtain seemed to be quite comfortable in second position, ahead of Andersen and Charpentier.

After 10 laps, a couple of crashes led to an aggregate two leg race. The second part was started on Full Rain tyres but with the weather getting better every lap, an almost a dry line appeared at the end.

Sofuoglu took the final victory, even if Charpentier crossed the checkered line in first position, (because of the aggregate regulations), while Curtain, finishing 2nd, took the Championship lead.

Third on the podium was Andersen, with his Suzuki, for the first time.

Riders could try the wet tyres on the track only this morning during the warm-up, but looking at the times they immediately found a good feeling, offering the public a great show.

AIR HUMIDITY 90% AIR TEMPERATURE 22°C
TRACK CONDITION Dry TRACK TEMPERATURE 23°

Superstock 1000 was delayed until after SBK Race 2, so could it be raced on a dry track surface.

The tyres used then were Pirelli DRAGON SUPERCORSA PRO SC2, and as always they delivered great levels of performance to the riders, and thus a great show for the public.

The final win went to Claudio Corti on his Yamaha R1, followed closely - until the second last corner - by Roberts (he then made a small mistake and lost a few seconds). Championship leader Polita finished 3rd, and increased his advantage on the following riders.

Race Standings:
Rider Bike Team Race Time
1 Corti Yamaha YZF R1 Yamaha Team Italia 22’58.130
2 Roberts Suzuki GSXR1000K HP Racing +3.461
3 Polita Suzuki GSXR1000K Celani Suzuki Italia +5.718
4 Baiocco Yamaha YZF R1 Umbria bike +6.094