For the very first time in his young WSBK career, Jonathan Rea (Honda) has won the Dutch doubleheader presented this weekend in Assen, Netherlands, making it his second and third victory in World Superbike.

In the first of two races, Rea held off a feisty James Toseland (Yamaha) and Leon Camier (Aprilia) for an all-British podium.

Having started from pole position, Rea sat behind early leader Troy Corser (BMW) for ten laps before muscling his way through, but he was never able to stretch away from the chasing pack.

Toseland, who fought his way up to the front from tenth on the grid, was able to grab the lead briefly towards the end of the race with a daring move at the final corner, only for Rea to get it back on the ensuing home straight before holding on for victory.

In the second race, a daring charge by Leon Haslam (Suzuki) during closing stages forced Rea into a daring pass on lap 15, before reeling off a series of fast times to gap Haslam by the chequered flag.

As in the first race, Corser was first after the start, the Australian exchanging the lead with Rea and Haslam over the first half of the race. Rea’s pace had taken its toll on everyone’s tires, forcing Haslam and Corser to finish off the race with worn tires – just enough for Rea to win a well judged race.

The two wins for the Dutch Ten team, on their home track, were much appreciated by the huge crowd at the legendary Van Drenthe circuit in Northern Holland. With his second victory, Jonathan Rea has lifted himself back into third place in WSBK standings, 38 points adrift of Leon Haslam.

The next round will be held at Monza, the high speed track near Milan, Italy, on May 5.

WSBK Results Assen Race 1
Pos. Rider Team/Bike Gap
1. Jonathan Rea Honda 22 laps
2. James Toseland Yamaha +1.106s
3. Leon Camier Aprilia +1.249s
4. Carlos Checa Ducati +1.548s
5. Troy Corser BMW +2.738s
6. Max Biaggi Aprilia +2.813s
7. Jakub Smrz Ducati +6.296s

WSBK Results Assen Race 2
Pos. Rider Team/Bike Gap
1. Jonathan Rea Honda 22 laps
2. Leon Haslam Suzuki +1.942s
3. James Toseland Yamaha +3.928s
4. Max Biaggi Aprilia +4.067s
5. Troy Corser BMW +4.176s
6. Carlos Checa Ducati +4.525s
7. Jakub Smrz Ducati +4.682s
8. Etc …

WSBK Standings – After Round 4 of 13
Pos Rider Points
1.Leon Haslam 148
2.Max Biaggi 128
3.Jonathan Rea 110
4.Carlos Checa 103
5.James Toseland 86