The FIM Supersport World Championship continued to bring drama at the TT Circuit Assen, with Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) storming to victory on slick tyres. The #99 wins his second race of the season after charging from outside the points with 12 laps remaining to win Race 1 in the Netherlands.

BACK ON TOP: Huertas returns to the top step

It was a race of two halves, with Huertas’ gamble paying off, winning the race on slick tyres on a drying track. Behind the Spaniard was Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing Yamaha), who stole second place on the final corner – claiming a 16th second-place finish. Rounding off the podium and finishing as the top rain tyre runner was Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team), who claimed a third WorldSSP podium and his first podium outside of France.

TYRE GAMBLES: a mix of tyres in tricky conditions

There was drama before the race began, with Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) pulling into the pits. However, once the lights went out, it was a perfect launch off the line for Manzi from pole position. It was a disastrous start further down the field, with Niki Tuuli (EAB Racing Team) crashing on the exit of turn one. However, with half the track still wet it allowed Tom Edwards (D34G Racing WorldSSP Team) on rain tyres. Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph) would also crash at the start of the race before Lorenzo Baldassarri (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) became the victim of the tricky conditions.

Debise eventually took the race lead and built a comfortable advantage. However, slick tyre runners got quicker, especially Huertas, who charged through the field to inside the top 10 with eight laps remaining. The #99’s pace built as the track continued to dry with a six-second difference per lap, allowing Huertas to catch and take the race lead away from Debise quickly.

PODIUM DECIDER: a dramatic last lap to decide the top three positions

On the final lap of the race, Manzi made his way into third position, charging to close the three-second gap to Debise in second place. The #62 made the move stick on the entry to the final corner on the final lap of the race. Debise ran wide, which put the Dutch crowd on their feet for a photo finish between Debise in third and Glenn van Straalen (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) in fourth.

UNEXPECTED RESULTS: the battle for a spot in a competitive top 10

Van Straalen ended his home round in fourth position, ahead of Edwards in fifth, who spent the entire race on the slick tyres. Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) was sixth, taking the fastest lap of the race in the process and finishing as the top MV Agusta. Jorge Navarro (WRP-RT Motorsport by SKM-Triumph) was seventh, ahead of Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) and Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha), with Luke Power (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) rounding out the top 10 finishers.

The top six from WorldSSP Race 1, full results here:

1. Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team)

2. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +8.149s

3. Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) +9.180s

4. Glenn van Straalen (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +9.291s

5. Tom Edwards (D34G Racing WorldSSP Team) +14.695s

6. Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) +19.375s

Fastest lap: Federico Caricasulo, MV Agusta – 1’40.176s

Watch WorldSSP Race 2 on Sunday at 15:15 Local Time (UTC+1) using the WorldSBK VideoPass!