Nicolo Bulega extends his championship lead as his team-mate Alvaro Bautista crashes out.

The Cathedral of Speed sets the scene for round three of the World Superbike 2025 season. Elf Marc VDS Racing’s Sam Lowes was on pole position for the first time in his WSBK career, joining Sam on the front row of the grid was Ducati’s Nicolo Bulega. BMW’s Torak Razgatlioglu did qualify in third place but was handed a three place grid penalty for irresponsible riding in qualifying.

Lights out at the Assen circuit as Bulega lead the field around turn one. Andrea Locatelli shot into second place and challenged Bulega for the lead.

Toprak got a poor start and lost a few places. Danilo Petrucci and Bautista were battling for fourth place, Sam was just holding onto third place.

Toprak was making his way through the field in fifth place. Tarran Mackenzie was given a double long lap penalty for a jump start.

Nicolo was over a second ahead of second placed Locatelli. Toprak was catching Sam Lowes with 18 laps to go in the race. Alvaro got the better of Petrucci and was catching the leading group.

Double champion Bautista took fourth place from Toprak, Bulega was now three seconds ahead of Locatelli. Sam and Alvaro were dicing for third place as Toprak over took the pair of them on the start finish straight! Had Toprak got enough in the tank to catch Bulega?

Sam and Alvaro both went down, it looked to be the Ducati rider’s fault, he lost the front and poor Sam had no where to go! Alex Lowes went down too a lap later.

With 13 laps to go Toprak got the better of Locatelli for second place, Bulega was four seconds ahead. Petrucci was catching Locatelli for the final podium spot, the Italian Yamaha rider took note and pushed on catching Toprak.

Locatelli wasn’t hanging around, he passed Toprak with eight laps to go, holding onto the second place. Petrucci passed Toprak for third place, Toprak wasn’t having a non podium finish to the race, the Turkish rider took back the third place position on the start finish straight.

There was a five-way battle for sixth place from Xavi Vierge to Axel Bassani, the BMW’s looked to be struggling with tyre grip as Danilo was once again on the rear wheel of the reigning champion. The Barni Spark Racing rider made his pass and made it stick. Bassani crashed out on the final lap!

Bulega crossed the line to take his first victory of the weekend, Locatelli was second, Petrucci finished in third place, Toprak was fourth, Iker Lecuona won the battle for fifth place.

Featured Image: Ducati Corse.