#AssenWorldSBK: “”ASSEN IS ALWAYS VERY SPECIAL”

The German WorldSBK rider looks forward to the Dutch event, a destination which is particular for him.

This weekend’s round four in the northern part of the Netherlands is somewhat of a second home race for Stefan Bradl. First, of course, due to its close location to Germany but foremost since his Red Bull Honda WorldSBK Team is based in the Netherlands.

For Bradl, the Aragon round earlier this month ended with mixed emotions. After a brave ride to ninth during Saturday’s race he finished in twelfth the day after. A one-day testing on Monday straight after the race weekend has brought some positive findings. Meanwhile, the 27-year-old Honda rider heads now to Assen where he knows the track very well as well as he can look back to some glory days there when qualified for a Moto2™ pole position and for front row starts in MotoGP™ two times. His best race result at the famous TT Circuit was a sixth place aboard the MotoGP™ Honda back in 2013.

The FIM Superbike World Championship’s calendar includes 13 events, each with one race on Saturday and Sunday. The bikes are based on production Superbikes with 1000cc. All races of the series will be broadcasted live on Austrian’s channel ServusTV, available in Free-TV in the entire German speaking area.

#6 Stefan BRADL (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team, Honda CBR1000RR SP2):

“I’ve always liked Assen. Therefore, I’m looking forward to round four this weekend. In addition, it will be again an important race, not only for the team, but also for us riders. Our intention is to do better than last time and after the somewhat longer break it’s good to jump on the bike again. But, hopefully, the weather will not too unfriendly to us in order to take most benefit from practice sessions to set up the bike for this fast and flowing track. Assen is completely different track to that ones where we already raced this year. Let’s see how it will work at all. Nevertheless, I hope that we will take a step forward.”

TT Circuit – Track facts:
Länge: 4.542 Meter
Kurven: 18 (6 Links / 12 Rechts)
Website: www.ttcircuit.com
WorldSBK Beste Superpole: 1´34.357 (2014)
WorldSBK Rundenrekord: 1´35.889 (2015)

Time Schedule (CET):
Freitag, 28. April: 09:45 – 10:45 FP1
Freitag, 28. April: 14:30 – 15:30 FP2
Samstag, 29. April: 08:45 – 09:10 FP3
Samstag, 29. April: 10:30 – 10:45 SP1
Samstag, 29. April: 10:55 – 11:10 SP2
Samstag, 29. April: 13:00 Rennen 1 (21 Runden – 95,382 km)
Sonntag, 30. April: 09:30 – 09:45 Warm Up
Sonntag, 30. April: 13:00 Rennen 2 (21 Runden – 95,382 km)

WorldSBK Standings 2017:
1 Jonathan REA / GBR / Kawasaki / 145
2 Chaz DAVIES / GBR / Ducati / 95
3 Tom SYKES / GBR Kawasaki / 91
4 Marco MELANDRI / ITA / Ducati / 81
5 Alex LOWES / GBR / Yamaha / 65
6 Michael van der MARK / NED / Yamaha / 49
7 Jordi TORRES / SPA / BMW / 48
8 Xavis FORÈS / SPA / Ducati / 44
9 Leon CAMIER / GBR / MV Agusta / 38
10 Eugene LAVERTY / IRL / Aprilia / 30
11 Nicky HAYDEN / USA / Honda / 27
12 Stefan BRADL / GER / Honda / 19
13 Markus REITERBERGER / GER / BMW / 19
14 Román RAMOS / SPA / Kawasaki / 18
15 Leandro MERCADO / ARG / Aprilia / 17