News

Locatelli pips Bulega by 0.007s to top FP3 at Assen, Razgatlioglu P4

Saturday, 12 April 2025 07:34 GMT

    • Yamaha rider Locatelli ensured three different riders topped the opening three sessions at Assen as he just finished ahead of compatriot Bulega

    Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) became the third rider to top a session at the 2025 Pirelli Dutch Round in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship as he beat Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) by just 0.007s. ‘Loka’ heads into the TT Circuit Assen on the back of a podium at Portimao and will be hoping to continue his strong showing from FP3 into Tissot Superpole later on, as he led an Italian top three in the final practice session.

    On a chilly but sunny morning at Assen, Locatelli was the rider to beat with a late lap in the 20-minute session, utilising the warmest conditions of FP3 to set a 1’33.539s to beat Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) to top spot by just 0.007s. Bulega was the last rider to leave the pit lane, emerging with 16 minutes remaining, before claiming a provisional P1 before being demoted by ‘Loka’. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) completed an all-Italian 1-2-3 in Saturday morning’s opening session.

    Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) had looked like he’d be in the top three but fell just short to finish in P4, just two tenths away from his former Yamaha teammate, Locatelli. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was fifth with Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) rounding out the top six as his strong Assen pace continues.

    Two-time Champion Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) was seventh ahead of rookie Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team). Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven) was eighth ahead of the Lowes twins; Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) leading Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) by a tenth with the pair seemingly working together on track during FP3. Rookie Bahattin Sofuoglu (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) showed promise with 12th place, although the #99 had been in the top ten at various points.

    The top six from WorldSBK FP3, full results here:

    1. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) 1’33.359s

    2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) +0.007s

    3. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.161s

    4. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +0.202s

    5. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) +0.286s

    6. Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.295s

    A crucial Tissot Superpole session is up next from 11:00 (Local Time, UTC+2) using the WorldSBK VideoPass!