SENSATIONAL VAN STRAALEN TAKES FIRST WORLD SUPERSPORT WIN AT ASSEN WITH TEN KATE RACING

Glenn van Straalen took his first victory in the World Supersport class on Sunday afternoon. In changeable conditions, the Dutchman was strongest at the TT Circuit Assen and made his dream come true with Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing in orange.

The second World Supersport race at the TT Circuit Assen started Sunday afternoon literally in half wet / half dry conditions. The riders were on slicks and the first part of the track was dry, however rain was already falling on the second part. The downpour soon spread across the entire track, making it necessary to come in for rain tyres.

Glenn van Straalen and his team did that perfectly after which the Dutchman had to fight his way through the field again. The 23-year-old rider was clearly the strongest in these rainy conditions and with four laps to go he took over the lead. The tension was killing not only Van Straalen but also the team and the many fans in the stands. In the end Van Straalen made no mistake and he crossed the line as the winner of a World Supersport race for the first time in his career, a dream come true for both the Dutchman and the Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing team.

Stefano Manzi followed a different strategy and it did not work out in the end. The Italian managed to finish the race but did not score any points, despite that he is still second in the championship with just one point behind the World Championship leader.

Glenn van Straalen – P1: 

“To win a race here in Assen is like a dream come true. When the rain became heavier during the race I decided to follow the guys in front of me into the box to make a pit stop. In the wet conditions I felt really strong and had a great rhythm. My lap times were good and little by little I managed to close the gap. It felt incredible to see this gap decrease and increase again when I managed to take first position. On the bike I was thinking a lot about if this first win would finally happen today.

I tried to focus on the race and finally I managed to bring it home. It is amazing to do it here in Assen with the orange colours, it feels absolutely fantastic. Also to do it as a Dutchman with a Dutch team is incredible, I am so thankful for the support from the team and everyone around me. Today my dream came true.”

Stefano Manzi – P21: 

“It was very difficult to assess the conditions today, the whole weekend was very changeable. It’s a real shame that we didn’t score today and I also regret that, but it is what it is. I want to congratulate Glenn and the team on their home win, in Misano we will come back fighting.”

Kervin Bos – Ten Kate Racing Team Manager: 

“We saw a piece of history of Dutch motorsport today with Glenn van Straalen’s first World Supersport victory. To do it as a Dutch team with a Dutch rider in Assen is for us the dream it all started with. We went down this route with many Dutch companies, sponsors and partners of Glenn to make this happen and he is already doing it in his third race. He kept his cool, decided at the right time to come in and the team executed the strategy perfectly. I think for Glenn to win your home race here is also a boyhood dream. We are extremely happy and proud.”

The next round of the FIM Supersport World Championship takes place in the weekend of 14-16 June at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in Italy.