After little more than a week in which to rest, Kawasaki Puccetti Racing is back on the road and headed for Assen in The Netherlands, which is the stage for the second round of the Superbike and Supersport World Championship. The 2022 season-opener, held at Motorland Aragon in Spain, was undoubtedly positive, not only in terms of the results but also because it confirmed the riders’ great potential.
In Superbike, after a tricky start and two crashes, Lucas Mahias finished Sunday’s race just outside the top ten. In Supersport, Can Oncu proved to be one of the category’s frontrunners, earning a podium on Saturday. Only a minor electrical problem prevented him from doing the same on Sunday. Making his debut with the Italian team, Yari Montella crashed out of race 1, before finishing race 2 in seventh place, confirming the significant progress made during practice.
Oncu, who finished seventh in both of last year’s races, will be aiming for the highest step of the rostrum at Assen, while Montella would like to reach the top five. For Mahias, who crashed and hurt himself at this track last season, the aim is a top ten finish in all three races.
Assen is an historic racetrack, at which the Superbikes have raced every year since 1992 (with the exception of 2020 when the event was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic).
The TT Circuit Assen is also known as the Circuit van Drenthe, after the province in which it is located. The track was inaugurated in 1925, but the actual facility was built in 1955. Initially designed only for motorcycles, the track came to be known as the “cathedral of speed” or “the university of two wheels”. It has undergone various modifications over the years, the most significant of which in 1976 and 1984. The track currently measures 4.542 kilometres and features twelve right-hand turns and six left-handers.
The full weekend schedule is available at this link:
Lucas Mahias: “I’m pleased to return to Assen, a track I’ve always really liked. I’m keen to try the new Ohlins suspension at a track where I’ve always been quick and test my bike in this configuration. Last year, I broke my scaphoid here, in an accident that conditioned my entire season, but I’ve put that event behind me and am ready to take on this next challenge with full determination.”
Can Oncu: “I can’t wait to get back on my Kawasaki! After what happened in race 2 at Aragon, I’m even more determined and keen to give it my all and score a great result. I work hard each day and am part of the strongest team and so we’re ready to fight and take on this second championship round.”
Yari Montella: “I’ve never raced at Assen and am curious to get to grips with it. I hope to get on well right from Friday. The aim is to focus on those areas where we know we still have room to improve. I want to continue to grow so that I can get closer to the front. I’m highly motivated and will give it my all.”
