Record-setting weekend awaits Bulega at WorldSBK Dutch Round

By Lee Seng Foo 19 hours ago

(Superbike World Championship)

The Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) heads to the legendary TT Circuit Assen in the Netherlands from April 17-19 for the third round of the 2026 season, with several compelling storylines in focus.

As the paddock prepares for the high-speed action, which you can watch live on SPOTV NOW, here are some key facts ahead of the Dutch Round.

 

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Three records in sight for Bulega

Nicolò Bulega has opened the season with six consecutive wins, closing in on Álvaro Bautista’s record of 11, set in 2019. Another hat-trick at the Cathedral of Speed would put him within touching distance of breaking that mark at the next round in Budapest.

Including his four straight wins at the end of last season, the Italian is currently on a 10-race winning streak. That puts him within reach of Toprak Razgatlıoğlu’s record of 13 consecutive victories, which the Turkish rider achieved twice in 2024 and 2025.

Bulega is also riding a streak of 19 consecutive podium finishes. Another strong weekend could see him climb further up the all-time list and move closer to Jonathan Rea (24), Colin Edwards (25) and Razgatlıoğlu (25).

 

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Rea steps in again for Dixon

With Jake Dixon still sidelined through injury, Jonathan Rea will once again step in for Honda HRC to ride alongside Thai rider Somkiat Chantra.

Assen has been a happy hunting ground for the six-time world champion, who holds a record 17 victories at the circuit, so he will surely be hoping it helps him improve on his previous outing in Portimão, where he managed just four points.

 

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Home rider to make WorldSBK debut

Despite the absence of Dutch rider Michael van der Mark, local fans will still have someone to cheer for as Twan Smits makes his WorldSBK debut as a wildcard. The 24-year-old, who has had prior experience at Assen through Supersport and Supersport 300 series, will line up for Team Apreco aboard a Yamaha YZF-R1.

 

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Moto4 Northern Cup revs up

The Moto4 Northern Cup kicks off its 2026 season at Assen as part of the support programme for WorldSBK. The junior series has served as a development platform for rising talents, including current Moto2 riders Collin Veijer and Filip Salač.

 

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Jorge Martin: From Heaven to Hell

Coming into the season as the reigning World Champion, the Spaniard endured a nightmare year, as injury derailed his debut campaign with Aprilia

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Axelsen expressed pride in his achievements and reassured everyone that he will remain involved in the sport moving forward. “Looking back, I feel a deep sense of pride, but even more than that, gratitude,” he added. “I have accomplished everything I once dreamed of, and more. I’ve had the privilege of standing on the biggest stages, playing and winning the matches every player dreams of. “And through it all, badminton has taught me lessons that go far beyond sport, lessons about discipline, sacrifice, resilience, and who I am as a person. “While this is a goodbye to Viktor Axelsen the badminton player, I am not saying goodbye to the sport infinitely. I will always be around one way or the other. “I gave everything to badminton and badminton gave me everything back.” He also thanked everyone who was part of his journey including badminton fans. The Dane’s final BWF World Tour appearance came at the 2025 French Open, where he lost to Shi Yu Qi in the semi-finals. He also featured at the BXL Jakarta 2025, marking his last competitive outing before announcing his retirement. He became the latest high-profile player to step away from the badminton court this year after Carolina Marin.
 
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Tyrrell Hatton (T3, -10)

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Johnson made the cut comfortably but never threatened the leaderboard. The 2020 champion remained outside the top 30 for most of the weekend as he settled for a mid-table finish.

Jon Rahm (T38, +1)

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Sergio García (52, +8)

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Charl Schwartzel (54, +12)

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Bubba Watson (MC, +5)

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Bryson DeChambeau (MC, +6)

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Tom McKibbin (MC, +7)

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Cameron Smith (MC, +7)

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Thammanoon Sriroj (Thailand)

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T49 Corey Conners, Marco Penge $57,600
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52 Sergio Garcia $54,000
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