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TT Circuit - NETHERLANDS

Dutch Round

Circuit information

Length: 4.542 m

Left Curves: 6

Right curves: 12

The longest straight: 487 m

Built: 1955

Modified: 2012

‘The Cathedral’ of motorcycle racing as it is colloquially known, Assen has an almost unrivalled history in motorsport, being the only venue to have held a round of the MotoGP™ World Championship every year since its creation in 1949 (with the exception of 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic). It has also been hosting WorldSBK races since 1992, and celebrated its 25th anniversary as a WorldSBK venue in 2016. The track is set next to green hills that host grandstands, with 64,500 seats . In 2002 the modernization works started in 1999 were completed. In 1999 the circuit was modified with the addition of a new Grandstand, a new control tower, renewed boxes and a new press room. The track is narrow, with rapid changes of direction: we find 18 curves in all, only three of which are slow enough, connected by short straights, the longest of which is just under 500 meters. The track is very “guided” and does not show sudden braking. The last substantial modification, the one made in 2005, led to a reduction in length from the original over 6,000 m to the current 4,555 m, changes that were not appreciated by riders and enthusiasts who still regret the difficulties of the previous track (not surprisingly nicknamed “the university of the two wheels”).

Balda’s thought

Assen, the university of motorcycling, I must say that it is a track I really like. Of course it was a much longer and more technical circuit before, but even now Assen is a very technical track, a track where you need courage. Apart from the slow turn, which is the grappling hook at 5, from then on they are all curves in succession. It is a very very nice track, especially the long turn at T4 and the last chicane which is very technical, where the bike always tends to wheelie and it’s hard to control it.