Modified Assen is ‘incredible, one of the nicest and most flowing’ - Rea

Jonathan Rea heads into round five of the 2021 WorldSBK campaign looking to recover top spot in the title fight from Toprak Razgatlioglu.  

Rea’s crash in race two at Donington resulted in the six-time world champion losing the championship lead - first time he’s not led the way since Jerez 2020. 

Rea and Kawasaki have been pretty formidable at the Dutch TT with seven wins from their last ten race appearances. 

But while Razgatlioglu only has a best of ninth (3) at Assen, previous results are unlikely to favor Rea due to the form of his Yamaha rival. 

In the last six races Razgatlioglu has finished ahead of Rea on five occasions, therefore it’s no surprise that the Kawasaki man is aiming to win and halt the Turkish rider’s momentum 

Speaking ahead of a return to the Netherlands following last year’s cancelled event, Rea said: "I am really happy to be returning to Assen after its absence last year. It is a really unique layout, a high speed circuit with fast corners and quick changes of direction. 

"I never got to ride the ‘real’ old Assen but the modified version is, for me, incredible. One of the nicest and most flowing circuits on the calendar. 

"I have great memories there and the fact that there will be lots of fans is a huge bonus because Assen and the fans go together perfectly! 

"I had some nice battles there in 2019 and I am looking forward to more this year. I hope we can capitalise on it being a good circuit for me and the bike. 

"The target is to win but we need to work smartly and calmly to put us in the best possible shape to compete come the races."