Debut at Assen: Taiyo Aksu enjoys a weekend of progress and a remarkable comeback
Rider Taiyo Aksu enjoyed his first experience at the historic Assen circuit with a performance characterised by steady progress throughout the weekend, during the second round of the World Sportbike Championship. From the free practice sessions onwards, the team showed very positive signs, which were confirmed in Superpole, where Aksu clocked a solid 1’44”569, reflecting a clear improvement with every lap.
Race 1
The start was promising, with things feeling good in the opening laps. However, at Turn 5, a collision involving several riders forced Taiyo off the track into the gravel. Although he quickly got back on track, the gap that had opened up made it impossible to catch up with the group and fight for points. With determination, the team immediately turned their attention to the second race
Race 2
A thrilling race that kept the excitement going right up to the final corner. Starting from 27th on the grid, Taiyo staged a spectacular comeback, overtaking riders with extensive experience on this circuit. On his debut at Assen, his performance was truly impressive: he reached 15th position and was still improving, with a clear chance of scoring even more points. In the thick of the battle, a collision forced him to make a critical decision: risk a crash or stay upright. He chose to save the situation, which resulted in a long-lap penalty after he was forced off the track.
After serving the penalty, he returned in 24th position and began another comeback. However, the time remaining and the distance covered limited his chances of repeating his initial feat. Worth noting is his personal best lap in Race 2, with an excellent 1’43”885, a clear sign of the progress made over the weekend. At ISB Sport, we continue to work alongside AG Motorsport, utilising ISB Sport bearings, which are key to ensuring maximum performance and reliability in racing conditions. Despite the setbacks, the team is very satisfied with the work carried out at Assen.
Next round: Most (Czech Republic), 16–17 May 2026.
