Ducati dominated the first racing installment at the Cathedral of Speed

The Cathedral of Speed was the host to round three of the WorldSBK Championship. The weather at the Dutch circuit was cloudy with rain in the air.

WSBK Superpole got underway without Honda’s Somkiat Chantra, the Thai rider crashed during the FP3 session and was declared unfit for Saturday’s track action, he will be reviewed again tomorrow morning.

Once again Nicolo Bulega was on pole position, so far the Ducati rider has three out of three pole positions. Joining Bulega on the front row of the grid was Britain’s Sam Lowes and Iker Lecuona. Brit Tommy Bridewell qualified in 11th place.

Lights out at the Assen circuit as Lecuona lead the WSBK field into turn one. All safe around turn one as Lecuona was setting the pace at the front.

Alvaro Bautista was making progress getting into fourth place. Alex Lowes was in fifth place trying his best to pass Bautista. Danilo Petrucci made a jump start and was handed a double Long Lap Penalty.

With 19 laps to go Bulega passed his team-mate to take the lead. The leading trio of Bulega, Lecuona and Sam Lowes were breaking away from the rest of the field.

Yamaha team-mate Andrea Locatelli and Xavi Vierge were dicing for seventh place. Petrucci went to do his Long Lap Penalty, the Italian hit a bump on the entrance forcing the BMW rider off the track!

Tarran Mackenzie was running inside the top ten in ninth place. With 11 laps to go Taz was flying running in seventh place and chasing Locatelli down for sixth position. Fellow Brit Bridewell was in 14th place, Tommy was run off track in the opening laps so to get in 14th place was a great result.

Seven laps to go and it started to rain at the Assen circuit. Lecuona had caught Bulega and made a pass to lead the race as the rain was still falling. The Spaniard just looked to take more risk as the rain fell. Sam was now catching Bulega, Bautista was catching up with the leading trio.

Bulega retook the lead but not for long as Lecuona snatched the lead back, all the battling was helping Sam join the party! The victory was going down to the wire.

Bulega made a move at turn three, the Italian made the move stick to lead. Last lap time as Bulega managed to put a bit of breathing space between himself and his team-mate.

Bulega took the honors to take his seventh victory of the 2026 season, Lecuona was second, Sam was third, Bautista crossed the line in fourth, Alex Lowes finished in fifth place.

Featured Image: Ducati Corse.