Nicholas Spinelli clinched victory in a tumultuous Race 1 at Assen, fending off title contenders Toprak Razgatlioglu and Alvaro Bautista with the assistance of a red flag.
Nicholas Spinelli made a daring choice by opting for intermediate tires on both the front and rear of his Panigale V4 R, a decision that set him apart from the rest of the grid.
Stepping in for the injured Danilo Petrucci, Spinelli embarked on his Superbike debut at Assen amidst challenging weather conditions. Heavy rain prior to the race resulted in a third consecutive wet session, following heavily impacted FP3 and Superpole sessions.
While Andrea Locatelli also opted for intermediate tires, he chose to pair it with a slick rear tire. At the start of the race, Spinelli surged to the front and quickly built a commanding lead of over 24 seconds.
However, as the race progressed and the track conditions began to improve, the advantage of the intermediate tires diminished.
Toprak Razgatlioglu and Alvaro Bautista closed in on Spinelli, poised to challenge for the lead. Just as Spinelli’s lead was about to evaporate, a red flag was waved due to oil spillage on the track, securing Spinelli’s victory as two-thirds of the race distance had been completed.
In parc ferme, an elated Spinelli expressed his joy and disbelief at his unexpected victory, attributing it partly to luck but also to the incredible performance of his team and the Ducati Panigale V4 R.
Spinelli admitted that the tire choice was a team decision, acknowledging the pivotal role his team played in the race strategy.
Barni Ducati team manager Marc Barnabo shared his jubilation at Spinelli’s win, expressing pride in the team’s decision to field Spinelli as Petrucci’s replacement. Barnabo emphasized the significance of Spinelli’s victory, especially considering his lack of experience on a Superbike and the challenging track conditions.
Overall, Spinelli’s victory at Assen marked a memorable moment for the Barni Ducati team, showcasing their resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity.
