The TT Circuit Assen in The Netherlands is next up for the PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team, as it prepares to compete in round three of the 2025 Supersport World Championship at the Dutch track this coming weekend.

The team’s two riders, Kaito Toba and Syarifuddin Azman, will be looking to improve on their recent performance at the second championship round in Portugal. Both the Japanese and Malaysian rider suffered setbacks that prevented them from achieving the kind of results that they and the team had expected at Portimão, but this only makes them more determined to shine at Assen.

As for their past form in The Netherlands, Toba put in a fantastic performance during last year’s second SSP race at Assen. In wet conditions, the Japanese rider scored a stunning sixth place finish after starting twenty-ninth on the grid! Malaysian rider Azman, a WorldSSP rookie, has previously knowledge of this fast track but has never ridden a 600 here. 

The TT Circuit Assen is an historic fixture on the WorldSBK calendar. Often referred to as the ‘Cathedral of Speed’, due to the fact its original banking made for extremely fast racing, it as a firm favourite with fans. Posing a technical challenge for riders, the track now measures 4.542 km in length and comprises eighteen turns. 

Kaito Toba #27

“We had a challenging weekend in Portugal, so we are eager to get out on track at Assen this weekend. Weather can be rather inconsistent there, so we’ll have to make the most out of every session, regardless of the conditions. We’ll do our best to show our potential and work hard throughout the Dutch round.”

 Syarifuddin Azman #63

“I’ve had some physio since the Portimão round as I had a few issues with arm pump during that race. I feel good heading into this third round anyway. I know the Assen track, though it’s quite a difficult one with several high-speed corners. I also know the weather is going to be a factor, I wouldn’t mind rain actually, but we will do our best whatever comes our way.”

Track Information

Country: The Netherlands
Name: TT Circuit Assen
Length: 4.542 km
Pole position: left
Turns: 6 left, 12 right
Race distance: 21 laps/95.382 km

LAP RECORDS: Best lap – Bulega (Ducati) 1'37.607 (2023). Superpole – Bulega (Ducati) 1'36.900 (2023).

2024 RESULTS: 

Race 1 - 1. Huertas (Ducati); 2. Manzi (Yamaha); 3. Debise (Yamaha)
Race 2 – 1. Van Straalen (Yamaha); 2. Huertas (Ducati); 3. Tuuli (Ducati)

Weekend schedule (CET): 

Friday
11.20 - 12.00 – SSP Free Practice
16.00 – 16.40 – Superpole

Saturday
10.10 – 10.20 – Warm-up
15.15 – SSP Race 1

Sunday
10.00 – 10.10 – SSP Warm-up
15.15 – SSP Race 2