Kroeze and Dubbink take pole positions in finale at Assen

• Deciding races on BSB weekend at Assen
• Sander Kroeze clocks fastest qualifying time in Standard class
• GP Class: Local favourite Ernst Dubbink sets the pace

Assen: There were some new faces in evidence at the top for this final race weekend of the ADAC Northern Europe Cup, which is being contested as part of the British Superbike Championship at Assen in the Netherlands. In sunny weather conditions on Friday, Sander Kroeze (14, NED) and Ernst Dubbink (27, NED) posted the fastest times in the Standard and GP classes respectively, thus securing the best starting positions for the final two races of the season.

As the second qualifying session got underway on Saturday afternoon, the 4,555-metre Grand Prix track was still partially wet after the morning’s rain and the temperature was markedly cooler, as a result of which the ADAC NEC riders were able to improve their lap times. The ADAC NEC contestants will start this weekend’s race alongside the riders competing in the British Moto3 Championship, but will be classed separately.

Standard class: Local favourite Kroeze in impressive form

For the first time this season, Kroeze was the fastest rider in qualifying with a time of 01:48.345 minutes. The Dutchman is in pole position in the Standard class and will start alongside two British Moto3 riders on the front row. Sasha De Vits (14, BEL), who is equally familiar with the Dutch circuit, secured second place in the Standard category.

Kevin Orgis (16, GER) took third position, followed by Philipp Freitag (19, GER) and Matthias Meggle (16, GER). There are no fewer than six riders still in with a mathematical chance of claiming the 2016 title, but Dirk Geiger (14, GER) and Simon Jespersen (15, DEN) are best placed on 133 and 129 points respectively. Jespersen starts the race from P7, with Geiger just behind in P8.

Ernst Dubbink fastest in GP class

Dubbink, who like Kroeze regards the TT Circuit in Assen as his home track, took pole position in the GP class with a fastest lap of 01:48.531 minutes. This bodes well for his Grand Prix title aspirations. Jason Dupasquier (15, SUI) secured second place in the GP class, followed by Maximilian Kofler (16, AUT).

The penultimate race of the 2016 ADAC NEC takes place on Saturday at 17:00 CEST, with the season finale scheduled for Sunday at 14:45.

Comments from the leading riders

Sander Kroeze (14, NED), fastest in ADAC NEC Standard class:
“I’ve felt great right from the start of the weekend. In free practice, I had some difficulties and made a mistake. In the first quali yesterday, I had really good rhythm and good pace, and I did a lot of laps in the 01:48-minute range. That was enough for me to secure pole position. I approached this session a bit more cautiously; the track was still partially wet, so I didn’t want to take any risks. I think I’m probably faster here because I’ve known the track for a very long time. I haven’t practised here all that much this year, but I know some of its quirks. I’m faster than the other riders in the Standard class, so I hope I can win today and tomorrow.”

Ernst Dubbink (27, NED), fastest in the ADAC NEC GP class:
“This is my home track, so I obviously know it very well. I have an OK feeling – we’ve had a few minor issues which I hope we can resolve before the race. I’m happy with my lap time and with pole position. On Sunday, I’ve got a lot of fans and sponsors coming to support me – around 100 people in total. I certainly hope that I can deliver a really good performance for them. It’s a very special occasion, but for me it’s normal, so I’m no more excited than usual – it’s just a different feeling. I hope I can beat Jason in the two races and of course come out top at the end. The big target this weekend is winning the title in the GP class.”