Sam Lowes claims surprise maiden WorldSBK pole in Assen

Full 2025 Dutch WorldSBK Superpole Results – Sam Lowes delivered an unforgettable performance at the TT Circuit Assen to claim his maiden WorldSBK pole position.

The ELF Marc VDS Racing Team rider stunned the paddock with a blistering lap time of 1’32.596s, securing the top spot on the grid for Race 1 and etching his name into the history books as the 15th British rider to secure pole in the series.

Sam Lowes secured his maiden WorldSBK pole position in a session marked by intense competition and record-breaking laps, setting the stage for an electrifying weekend of racing in Assen.

The 2025 Dutch WorldSBK Superpole session began with Nicolo Bulega, the Championship leader from Aruba.it Racing – Ducati, immediately setting a scorching pace.

On his first flying lap, Bulega shattered the existing lap record with a time of 1’32.760s taking provisional pole and leaving many to believe he was untouchable. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) and Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) followed closely behind, rounding out the early top three.

The initial runs saw a tightly packed field, with 12 riders separated by less than a second, showcasing the razor-thin margins that define WorldSBK competition.

However, as the session progressed frustration began to creep in for some riders. Bulega who made an attempt to improve on his already impressive time during his second stint found himself caught behind other riders on their out laps, forcing him to back off and abandon his flying lap.

Toprak Razgatlioglu of the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team also encountered traffic but managed to secure a strong third place on the grid with a composed effort.

Bulega’s misfortune opened the door for Sam Lowes who seized the opportunity with both hands. In a stunning turn of events the British rider unleashed an extraordinary lap that not only eclipsed Bulega’s record-breaking time but also broke the Assen all-time record.

Lowes’ lap of 1’32.596s was a testament to his skill and determination, particularly given that this was his maiden WorldSBK pole position. The achievement was made even more special by its location—Assen—where his twin brother Alex Lowes had claimed pole back in 2018.

Behind Lowes, Bulega settled for second place on the grid, just over a tenth of a second adrift. Despite his earlier frustrations, he remained a formidable contender for Race 1.

Razgatlioglu completed the front row in third position further demonstrating his adaptability and consistency across different circuits and conditions.

The second row featured Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team), who delivered one of his best qualifying performances since 2023 by securing fourth place. Alvaro Bautista lined up fifth after a solid but unspectacular session by his high standards.

Andrea Locatelli rounded out the second row in sixth place, continuing his steady form throughout the weekend.

Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Ducati) and Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha) secured seventh and eighth positions respectively, while Sam’s twin brother Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) and Andrea Iannone (Team Go Eleven) completed the top ten.

The session also highlighted some struggles for other notable riders. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad) and Scott Redding (MGM Bonovo Ducati) could only manage 12th and 16th respectively despite showing flashes of pace earlier in practice sessions.

The Superpole session at Assen not only underscored Sam Lowes’ potential as a rising star in WorldSBK but also set up intriguing storylines heading into Race 1.

With Bulega eager to convert his front-row start into another victory and Razgatlioglu aiming to capitalize on any opportunities that arise, fans were left eagerly anticipating how these battles would unfold on race day.

READ MORE WORLDSBK:

Dutch WorldSBK 2025 FP2: Nicolo Bulega leads Axel Bassani to conclude Friday’s practice

Dutch WorldSBK FP1: Bautista leads Razgatlioglu and Bulega

2025 Dutch WorldSBK Superpole Results – Assen