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‘The 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is going to be off the scale’ – that was the prediction and it’s what is happening. Racing harder than ever with more names and more bikes at the front, the next round at the TT Circuit Assen is an absolute MUST-VISIT. Below are 10 reasons why you have to be there, from stories, to atmosphere, activities and more. If the below reasons aren’t enough, enjoy the last lap of Barcelona’s Superpole Race and we’re sure to see you at the track – get your tickets HERE!

FOUR WINNERS IN SIX RACES: WorldSBK’s new era is well-and-truly upon us

In a phenomenal start to 2024, we’ve had four winners in six races for three different manufacturers. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) won on his debut, then Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) made it a double in Australia. Toprak Razgatlioglu’s (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) sensational Barcelona double preluded Alvaro Bautista’s (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) Race 2 win – could it be Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven), Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) or Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) – or all three – at Assen?

A NEW MANUFACTURER IN CONTENTION: BMW’s rise to challenging

“We’re only just scratching the surface with this package” – ominous words from Phil Marron on Sunday after Barcelona. Toprak Razgatlioglu’s crew chief plays a pivotal part in the rider’s success and with two wins at what looked like their worst track, BMW are in the battle and there to stay.

LAST LAP BATTLES: WorldSBK’s theme continues

6 of the last 11 races in WorldSBK have been decided in final lap battles, an insane statistic as once again Toprak Razgatlioglu and Alvaro Bautista continue to knock spots off each other. With Alex Lowes, Andrea Iannone and more in the mix, Assen will be explosive at the final chicane, like many years before.

BACK IN THE GAME: “Alvaro Bautista is back”

A huge self-declaration on Sunday in Barcelona, Bautista is back in contention and looks here to stay after a shaky start to 2024. However, the reigning double Champion now heads to a track where he’s won the last four races, although as Barcelona and Phillip Island proved, this year could be different.

REA’S PREVIOUS FORM: the most successful we’ve ever seen

The most successful rider with 17 wins and a place where the Yamaha should be in form, Jonathan Rea will want to really get his season going on Dutch soil. First points of the year in Barcelona with P8, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Rea back towards the front at Assen and how welcome it’d be.

VAN DER MARK ON FORM HEADING HOME: can he sprinkle some more magic?

Michael van der Mark’s form coming into his home round is, for the first time since 2021, mega. 2023, he rode well but then got injured in a huge Race 2 crash whilst in 2022, he was injured with a broken leg but finished in P8. Is a podium possible like many times before with Honda and Yamaha?

UNPREDICTABILITY: WorldSBK is in good health

Pooling all those aspects together, we have one thing in WorldSBK: unpredictability. However, it’s the right kind; the narratives are strong and whilst it’s unpredictable, we have a large list of names that can throw the cat amongst the pigeons. At least Assen is used to having such big battles and drama!

CLASSICS BEFORE: will history repeat itself?

There have been countless final chicane thrillers in WorldSBK; whether it’s 1996 with Carl Fogarty vs Troy Corser and John Kocinski, two years later with ‘Foggy’ vs Frankie Chili, 2007’s Troy Bayliss vs James Toseland dash for the line of home-hero van der Mark beating Jonathan Rea to P2 in 2019. 2024, with the form the Championship is in, could well bring the biggest clash of titans yet.

ASSEN’S HISTORY: steeped in history, the ‘Cathedral of Speed’

It’s a classic venue that always brings a surprise. Whether it’s final showdowns at the chicane – who’d be against that this year? – a shock result or just hard, good racing with bold passes and big celebrations, Assen has it all. Never discount anyone in one of WorldSBK’s bucket-list venues.

PADDOCK SHOW AND PARADE LAP: be immersed with access like no other

You can’t get closer access in any other World Championship with just a general admission ticket; the podium takes place at the Paddock Show, and you can get up close to the stars at Parc Ferme too. With activities everyday, commentary and plenty of prizes, the Paddock Show is exactly what the WorldSBK experience is all about. As well as that, for the first time at Assen, fans with motorcycles can enjoy a parade lap, taking to the iconic venue for themselves at the end of Saturday race action.

Don’t miss out! Make sure you buy your tickets for the Dutch Round right here!