WSBK – MNC analysis of World Superbike in the Netherlands – Ducatis in ambush before Imola

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MNC analysis of the World Superbike in the Netherlands

WSBK - MNC analysis of World Superbike in the Netherlands - Ducatis in ambush before Imola

Beyond the points distributed, each race weekend brings its share of remarkable feats and poor performances, good and bad surprises. In its analysis, Site reviews the highlights of the WSBK in Assen.

The Ducatis in ambush before Imola

Since Fogarty’s second double in 1998-1999, no World Superbike champion has managed to keep his title. Sacred last year in his first season on the Kawasaki Ninja, Jonathan Rea seems able to match the "King Carl"…

Granted, the 2016 season is barely in its first third (four events contested out of the fourteen scheduled) and in sport – especially two-wheeled mechanics – nothing is ever taken for granted. However, this weekend in Assen, the ruthless "JR" struck again, heavily.

Arrived in the Netherlands with 26 points ahead of Davies, Rea leaves with 19 more! Already accumulating 181 points in the provisional classification (out of 200 maximum), the "Number One" of the discipline has practically two victories ahead of his closest rival.

"Chazie", since it is him, had managed to reduce the gap between him and the leader by 10 points by winning two magnificent victories "at home", or almost, in Aragon. The fastest driver in the two Spanish rounds, he again posted the best time of the Dutch race on Saturday.

The Welshman also managed to turn half a second faster in the first heat than during Superpole 2 a few minutes earlier! He also had the courage to open the track for 14 laps, alone facing the violent gusts of wind. But he was not rightly rewarded.

For the third time in a row at Assen, the n ° 7 Ducati rider finished on the second step of the podium, next to the glorious "Johnny". Unfortunately for him, there was no fourth: waiting in vain for a signal from his team to enter the pits during the crazy second round, the 2015 vice-world champion was too late and finished "only" fifth.

Davies’ performance this weekend remains satisfactory. It is again the best for a Ducati rider since his teammate Davide Giugliano dabbled in the first round, in the provisional registering his first "Rt" (for Retired, or retirement in French).

In the second round, "DG34" saved some water – hail and sun! – an 8th place which does not allow him to remain level on points with Jordi Torres: the Spanish driver takes advantage of his only point scored on Sunday to total 65 points, against 64 for the Italian.

However, the official Panigale n ° 34 will be one to watch closely in two weeks at Imola: back from a long period of convalescence, Davide celebrated his "big" return to competition there last year by winning the Superpole, then 3rd and 4th place in the race !

The private Panigale n ° 12 will also be to follow: as unbridled in front of his public in Aragon, Xavi Fores had obtained two superb 4th places there. The Spanish rider fell into line at Assen (13th then 10th) but naturally intends to do better in front of the tifosis…

British – Welsh bookmakers! – as for them will bet more on Panigale n ° 7: Chaz Davies gives appointment to the Ducatistes for a 2016 edition more successful than that of 2015 (two breakdowns for "Chazie"). The weather is expected to be better in Italy than in the Netherlands and the atmosphere in the stands will be at least as hot…

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