2022 World Superbike Assen, Netherlands - Warm-up Results

Alvaro Bautista was in dominant form as he got the better of Assen World Superbike race one winner Jonathan Rea.

With the sun peaking out for the start of warm-up, several riders including impressive World Superbike rookie Iker Lecuona was one of the first riders out of pit lane. 

The Spaniard immediately set about challenging the top time, however, Bautista’s first flying lap set the benchmark. 

Alex Lowes got within two tenths of the Ducati rider before Rea popped to the top with a time of 1:34.740s. Bautista regained top spot with an impressive time of 1:34.458s - +0.292s quicker than Rea. 

After losing time in sector four throughout the weekend to Bautista, Rea reversed that by gaining lap time in order to go fastest once more.

Determined to make a statement before today’s double-header, Bautista overhauled Rea by nearly three tenths after setting a time of 1:34.120s. 

Subdued for much of the session, world champion Razgatlioglu jumped up the order with third on his final effort. 

Assen World Superbike Records

All-time lap record - Toprak Razgatlioglu TUR Yamaha 1:32.934s (2022)

Fastest Race lap - Jonathan Rea GBR Kawasaki 1:34.545s (2022)

Most wins - Jonathan Rea GBR Kawasaki (16)

2021 Winners 

Race One - Jonathan Rea 

Superpole Race - Jonathan Rea 

Race Two - Jonathan Rea 

2022 Winners 

Race One - Jonathan Rea

Jonathan Rea on the verge of history after 99th World Superbike win with Kawasaki

As the lights went out it was pole sitter Razgatlioglu who got the holeshot down to turn one, while team-mate Andrea Locatelli made a stunning start to leapfrog Rea around the outside. 

Rea repaid the favour in equally impressive fashion as he went around the outside of Locatelli at turn six. 

With Bautista stuck behind Alex Lowes in fifth, Razgatlioglu and Rea began edging away from the chasing pack.

Doing everything in his power to get through on Razgatlioglu, Rea set a new all-time race lap record on lap two. 

After getting a poor exit out of the final corner, Razgatlioglu subsequently lost drive and was overtaken by Rea to start lap four.  

While Rea was now leading, the six-time world champion was unable to break clear as Locatelli, Lowes and both Aruba.it Ducati’s closed back in, making it a six-way battle at the front.

Rea did begin to stretch his legs on lap six, however, Razgatlioglu delivered a brilliant end to the lap to keep touch.

There was an issue for BMW rider Gabriele Ruiu on lap eight as he stopped in the gravel (final corner). 

Looking to join Rea and Razgatlioglu at the front, Bautista was now the fastest rider on the track. The Ducati rider began his rise by claiming fourth off Lowes with 13 laps to go. 

Bautista was then up to third following a lovely late-braking move on Locatelli at the Geert Timmer chicane. 

Lowes suffered a huge blow up with ten laps to go which resulted in him returning to pit lane. 

Out front, Bautista was showing more and more pace as he closed a nine tenth deficit to just three in one lap. 

Feeling the pressure from Bautista, Razgatlioglu made a lunge for the lead but ran slightly wide at turn one, thus giving Rea the switch back. 

Razgatlioglu made his move for the lead stick one lap later after getting through on the brakes at the final corner.

Sticking to the world champion, Rea began to challenge Razgatlioglu, which he did at turn one with six laps to go.

Bautista then took second off Razgatlioglu, which allowed Rea to momentarily build up a six tenth lead. But as he did earlier on, Bautista started to reel the Kawasaki rider back in. 

Michael Rinaldi suffered a late crash, and despite getting his Ducati back up-and-running, the Italian had to retire with five laps remaining.  

Bautista made a first attempt at the lead with four to go, but Rea was able to superbly get back around the outside of the Ducati man.

After trying everything on the final lap, Bautista had to settle for second as Rea held on brilliantly for the win. Razgatlioglu claimed yet another third place finish. 

Round two of the 2022 World Superbike championship is taking place without Belgian rider Loris Cresson, as Pedercini Kawasaki announced an immediate split before the weekend due to a failure to fulfil financial agreements on Cresson’s side. 

Cresson, who was initially signed through to the end of 2022, was set for a second full season in Superbikes before the termination of his contract on Wednesday. 

It means BSB rider Leon Haslam, who was already scheduled to take part in four wildcard rounds with the team this season was drafted in for FP1 and thus, the remainder of the Assen event. Haslam and Pedercini have already agreed to increase his participation in the 2022 championship, but exactly how many rounds Haslam will do is yet to be confirmed. 

Eugene Laverty will officially take no further part in the weekend after suffering a big highside in FP1. The Bonovo Action BMW rider attempted to ride in FP3 before missing Superpole. 

Updated 2022 Assen WorldSBK Weekend Schedule

Sunday

10:00 - WorldSBK Superpole Race

14:00 WorldSBK Race Two