After Friday’s Superpole pre-practice session, the first six riders for the final SP2 qualifying session had already been determined. Three additional spots were awarded on Saturday afternoon during SP1. There were plenty of surprises as riders vied for positions on the starting grid for Sunday’s two EURO MOTO Superbike races.
“Starting from pole position at my home race is really something special,” gushed Twan Smits (Apreco-Yamaha), who topped the time sheets. “A year ago, that was still just a dream.” The 22-year-old Dutchman is riding the only Yamaha in the entire field.
One question remains, however: How will his injured hand hold up over 15 laps at the TT Circuit? Two weeks ago, the Dutch rider was involved in the mass crash at Oschersleben. His motorcycle was spectacularly destroyed in the incident. The Yamaha has been repaired, but his hand isn’t fully healed yet. Medical staff will be on site in Assen to provide care for Smits. He’ll have to grit his teeth to get through two races.
Lukas Tulovic (Triple M Ducati Frankfurt) had been right on the Yamaha’s tail in SP2, but Smits edged out the defending champion and was ultimately seven hundredths of a second faster than the Ducati rider from Baden-Württemberg.
Marcel Schrötter (GERT56 by RS Speedbikes) also secured a spot on the front row of the grid. The German is familiar with the TT Circuit Assen from his time in the Supersport World Championship. “The front row was the goal. Twan has an edge on this track,” says the fastest BMW rider, adding: “After a difficult Saturday with all the different weather conditions, third on the grid is okay. I think the tire choice will play a big role tomorrow—which compound we choose and how long it lasts over the distance.”
Markus Reiterberger (Masteroil Alpha Van Zon BMW), who had traveled to the Netherlands with clear ambitions to win, now faces a tricky starting position. The four-time champion could only manage fourth on the grid. The surprise was even greater for Florian Alt. The Honda rider failed to advance to the final qualifying round in SP1 and will start from only tenth position on Sunday. Alt took the result in stride. “We’re struggling with grip. Assen has never really been our track. The 15-degree drop in temperature didn’t help matters. That’s just how it is right now.”
EURO MOTO Superbike, Qualifying
1. Twan SMITS (NED/Yamaha)
2. Lukas TULOVIC (GER/Ducati)
3. Marcel SCHRÖTTER (GER/BMW)
4. Markus REITERBERGER (GER/BMW)
5. Jan-Ole JÄHNIG (GER/BMW)
6. Toni FINSTERBUSCH (GER/BMW)
7. Jan MOHR (AUT/BMW)
8. Leon ORGIS (GER/BMW)
9. Kevin ORGIS (GER/BMW)
10. Florian ALT (GER/Honda
11. Lorenzo ZANETTI (ITA/Ducati)
12. Milan MERCKELBAGH (NED/BMW)