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A race of two halves, dictated by the unstable weather, at the "University of motorcycle racing". Rain and even hail which saw the mechanics work quickly to adapt the bikes to the altered conditions. American Jacobsen crashed out while leading the race. There were even teams hosting rival bikes and riders, helping them to make repairs…a '70s-style atmosphere, in the spirit of racing from days gone by. After the restart, Englishman Kyle Smith triumphed on the Honda CBR, followed by Gino Rea, another Englishman, in a “very British” outcome.
THE RACE - Kenan Sofuoglu took an early lead, putting the hammer down and setting a pace that his rivals couldn't match. American Jacobsen followed him in second and Luke Stapleford, a revelation in practice, third. The group were already getting away while Jules Cluzel tried to catch up with his MV Agusta F3. Poleman Krummenacher didn't make the best start and was lying fourth.
On lap 3 PJ Jacobsen moved in on Sofuoglu, with an extremely impressive Stapleford matching the pace of the leading pair as he powered his Triumph 675 around the Van Drenthe track.
The American attacked Sofuoglu on lap five, with Stapleford attempting to do the same. This is the home race for team Ten Kate and Jacobsen and, after a difficult start to the season, the American was very keen to score a strong result for himself and the team. The best Italian at that point was Alex Baldolini, in fifth, ready to make a move on Krummenacher.
Twleve laps from the end the bikes started to dance, the rears sliding around and suspension pumping. With ten laps to go, the theatening clouds started to wet the track, and then Jacobsen went down just after the red flag came out.
The race was interrupted with many mechanics forced to work in pit-lane in the hail, making them the heroes of the day! Another hero was Patrick Jacobsen: after the crash, and with a badly damaged Honda, he pushed his bike back to the garage with help of some marshals, endurance-style, endorsing the "Never give up" attitude.
Pit-lane reopened at midday local time but there was still doubt as to what the weather would bring in the coming minutes.
Riders were back out on track, even Jacobsen was able to take part with a fixed bike and new helmet and leathers. The race restarted as it had concluded, with the American in pole, Sofuoglu second and Stapleford third, in a mini sprint race of just six laps.
Rain tyres on and action! Kenan straight into the lead followed by Krummenacher, PJ third and Kyle Smith fourth. Along the straights the spray bothered some but others like Londoner Gino Rea love these difficult conditions, and allowed him to move ever closer to the front.
As Krummenacher fell, Sofuoglu held the lead, with the Rea-Jacobsen pairing following close beginh. PJ moved into second and then first, before an intense battle, with much exchanging of positions, and the American in the gravel once more. Sofuoglu, Rea and Smith fought for what would be a useful win for any one of them at this point of the championship,
On the last lap, Sofuoglu tried to make a getaway but both Smith and Rea managed to pass him, with Smith ultimately proving victorious, with Gino Rea second, Sofuoglu third and Krummenacher fourth. Fifth for Baldolini, the best MV on track today at Assen.
Championship standings: Krummenacher 71 points, Sofuoglu 61, Smith 41
