Assen signs new five-year WorldSBK deal
The TT Circuit Assen will host the World Superbike championship until at least 2021 after signing a new five-year deal for the Dutch round of the series.
Assen has been an ever-present circuit on the World Superbike calendar since its introduction in 1992, celebrating its 25th consecutive year last season, and has secured a new deal with WorldSBK organisers Dorna which will run until the end of the 2021 season.
The iconic Dutch circuit has just completed work on a brand-new Grandstand and remains one of the more popular tracks on the calendar having welcomed over 50,000 fans for the 2016 Dutch WorldSBK round.
Arjan Bos, Assen President, is thrilled to continue the track's relationship with Dorna and World Superbikes and is keen to see more local Ductch and German riders join the grid in the coming years to bolster the home support.
In World Superbikes, Holland is represented by Pata Yamaha's Michael van der Mark as well as the Ten Kate Racing-run Red Bull Honda squad.
"This reflects the good relations and cooperation with Dorna," Bos said. "The World Superbike Championship has a great history in Assen and I am proud that we could secure this for the following years.
"Together with Dorna we are already working to increase the perception of the event for the fans. Something that we want to strengthen further in the coming years. For the recognition of the event in the Netherlands (and in Northern Germany) it is important that sufficient and competitive riders from this region are on the entry list."
Daniel Carrera, WorldSBK Executive Director, has echoed Bos's sentiments and feels the new deal will benefit both the championship as well as the circuit, which also hosts the Dutch MotoGP round and a round of the MCE British Superbike championship.
"It is a pleasure to announce this new agreement between TT Circuit Assen and Dorna WSBK Organisation, which will see the historic circuit host WorldSBK in The Netherlands for the following five seasons," Carrera said. "Heading into WorldSBKs' 26th year competing in Assen, it goes without saying, the venue is important to both the championship and the history of the sport.
"This contract reflects our new way of co-operation established since Dorna Group took over the series in 2012, and we look forward to many strong seasons at TT Circuit Assen.
"The new agreement offers a strong path to developing WorldSBK's popularity and the required financial sustainability allowing both parties to develop the WorldSBK series in the Netherlands, a thrilling prospect for the circuit, the series and fans alike."
Assen hosts the next round of the 2017 World Superbike championship on the 28-30 April. 12 months ago Jonathan Rea claimed a dominant double victory in the Netherlands after clinching an impressive win in race one before battling through mixed conditions in race two.
