WorldSBK - Assen

The TT Circuit Assen hosts the Pirelli Dutch Round of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship in the 2026 season. This circuit has served as a prominent venue for WorldSBK since 1992, earning recognition as "The Cathedral of Speed" among motorcycle racing fans. The facility delivers fast racing action with technical challenges that test rider skill and machine performance.

Circuit Characteristics

The TT Circuit Assen is a permanent motorsport facility located in Assen, Netherlands. The track measures 4.555 kilometers in length and features a clockwise layout with 18 turns. Riders navigate 6 left turns and 12 right turns during each lap. The longest straight stretches 560 meters, allowing bikes to reach top speeds.

The circuit surface provides exceptional grip levels, enabling riders to maintain high speeds through corners. Average lap speeds exceed 180 km/h. The track includes elevation changes that add complexity to racing lines. The facility can accommodate 110,000 spectators, with 60,000 seats distributed across nine grandstands and 40,000 standing places. The venue also offers 34 VIP rooms for premium viewing experiences.

2026 WorldSBK Grid

The 2026 WorldSBK season features 22 permanent riders across 14 teams and 8 nationalities. Several significant rider movements have reshaped the grid for this season.

Team Lineups

Aruba.it Racing – Ducati fields Nicolo Bulega alongside Iker Lecuona, who joins from Honda. ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team brings Danilo Petrucci and Miguel Oliveira together, with Oliveira transitioning from MotoGP. Pata Maxus Yamaha pairs Andrea Locatelli with Xavi Vierge.

Barni Spark Racing Team welcomes Alvaro Bautista from factory Ducati and continues with Yari Montella. The bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team runs Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani. Honda HRC enters Jake Dixon and Somkiat Chantra, both arriving from the MotoGP paddock.

GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team features Remy Gardner and Stefano Manzi, who steps up to WorldSBK. ELF Marc VDS Racing Team campaigns Sam Lowes on a Ducati. Team Goeleven returns Lorenzo Baldassarri to the grid on a Ducati.

MGM Racing Performance runs Tarran Mackenzie on a Ducati Panigale V4R. Kawasaki WorldSBK Team fields Garrett Gerloff. Motocorsa Racing enters Alberto Surra on a Ducati Panigale V4R. Motoxracing WorldSBK Team operates Bahattin Sofuoglu and Mattia Rato on Yamaha YZF R1 machinery. Cainam Racing Team campaigns Andrea Iannone on a Ducati Panigale V4R.

New WorldSPB Class

The 2026 season introduces the World Sportbike Championship (WorldSPB), which replaces the World Supersport 300 (WorldSSP300) class. This new category features at the Assen round alongside WorldSBK races. The WorldSPB class allows a maximum grid size of 34 riders, including one wildcard entry.

Rider eligibility requires a minimum age of 16 years. New contracted riders must be 25 years or younger, while experienced riders from WorldSSP300 or WorldWCR can compete until age 28. Eligible bikes produce approximately 90 horsepower and include models such as the Aprilia RS660, Suzuki GSX-8R, Yamaha YZF-R7, Kawasaki ZX-6R, and Triumph Daytona 660.

Technical regulations for WorldSPB aim to balance performance across manufacturers. The series uses engine concession parts, torque-limited maps with rev limits, and minimum weight requirements to create competitive parity. The FIM Women's Circuit Racing World Championship (WorldWCR) also runs at Assen alongside the main WorldSBK program.

Technical Regulations for 2026

The 2026 WorldSBK season brings updated technical regulations. Manufacturers gain more flexibility to modify engines, chassis, and electronics. Development areas focus on aerodynamic performance, electronic engine management systems, and advanced composite materials for weight reduction. These changes improve straight-line speed and corner handling capabilities.

Fuel flow meter regulations include a carry-over principle. If a manufacturer carried over a maximum reduction limit of -1 kg/h from the previous season, an additional penalty of up to 0.5 kg/h can apply. Manufacturers who carried over a maximum +0.5 kg/h of concessions can gain an additional 0.5 kg/h. The FIM/DWO reserves authority to apply further reductions if a manufacturer shows a significant performance advantage.

Each manufacturer or team can use a maximum of two FIM Category 1 certified fuels for the entire season. Testing restrictions have been established to reduce development costs across all teams.

Race Weekend Format Changes

The 2026 season features significant changes to race weekend scheduling. WorldSBK races now conclude each day's schedule, moving from their previous time slots. This format adjustment affects how teams and riders approach their preparation and strategy throughout each race day.

Historical Success at Assen

Assen holds a distinguished place in WorldSBK history. The circuit has hosted championship races continuously since 1992, with only one exception. It stands as only the second track in history, after Phillip Island, to have hosted at least 50 WorldSBK races.

British riders have achieved remarkable success at this circuit, winning exactly half of the first 48 races held there. Carl Fogarty holds the record for most wins by a single rider at any given track in WorldSBK history, with 12 victories at Assen. Jonathan Rea has also found success here, claiming seven wins during his career.

The circuit has seen 19 different riders claim WorldSBK race wins. Several riders have achieved their maiden WorldSBK victories at Assen, including Chris Walker and Sylvain Guintoli. A total of 58 riders have earned WorldSBK podium finishes at this circuit, with 15 achieving their first rostrum result here.

Circuit Evolution

The original Assen track dates to 1925, when the first Dutch Tourist Trophy (TT) race took place on public roads. The circuit has undergone fundamental redesigns multiple times throughout its history. The current track configuration was established in 2006, incorporating safety improvements and enhanced flow characteristics. The finish line remains the only section that has never moved throughout the circuit's various layouts.

What Makes Assen Special

The TT Circuit Assen combines high-speed sections with technical corner sequences that challenge every aspect of bike and rider performance. The grippy surface allows aggressive riding styles while the elevation changes require precise throttle control. The mix of fast flowing corners and tight technical sections creates close racing and multiple overtaking opportunities.

The circuit's long history in motorcycle racing creates a unique atmosphere. The facility accommodates large crowds comfortably, offering excellent viewing angles from multiple grandstands. The venue's infrastructure supports teams and media effectively while providing fans with comprehensive access to the racing action.

The 2026 Assen wsbk round promises competitive racing across multiple classes. The new WorldSPB category adds another dimension to the race weekend program. With significant rider movements across the WorldSBK grid and updated technical regulations, the racing at Assen will showcase how teams have adapted to the new season's challenges. The circuit's characteristics favor riders who can combine smooth throttle application with aggressive corner entry, making it a true test of riding skill and machine setup.