Öncü qualifies fifth at TT Circuit Assen, best WorldSSP qualifying for Okamoto

Can Öncü qualified in fifth place on Friday afternoon for the first World Supersport race at the TT Circuit Assen. The Turkish rider was just one tenth off pole position, securing a strong starting spot on the second row along with an impressive race pace. Teammate Yuki Okamoto qualified 21^st, 1.1 seconds behind the polesitter.

Under sunny and pleasantly warm conditions at Assen, the race weekend started well on Friday morning for Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing. Öncü set the fastest lap time in free practice showing that recent testing had paid off, while Okamoto finished the opening session in 23^rd place.

In the afternoon, it was already time for the Superpole session, where the gaps were extremely small. Despite posting a very competitive lap time of 1’36,6, Öncü ended up fifth, just over a tenth off pole position. Given the team’s preparation and the Turkish rider’s race pace, confidence is high heading into Race 1.

Okamoto completed the Superpole session in Assen with the 21^st fastest time, less than 1.2 seconds off the quickest lap. The Japanese rider continues to make progress on the Yamaha R9 and will aim to fight his way into the points on Saturday afternoon.

Can Öncü (P5 – 1’36,628 | +0,138):
“It was a very good first day. We are happy with our result we achieved in Superpole today and even more so with the pace we showed. We’re looking forward to tomorrow’s race and try to enjoy it.”

Yuki Okamoto (P21 – 1’37,681 | +1,191):
“It was a tough day but I improved a lot. I am not satisfied with the position but we definitely made progress. I still have a lot to learn so I will keep my focus and prepare for tomorrow’s race.”

Kervin Bos – Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing team manager:
“It was a very exciting qualifying session on the first day at the TT Circuit Assen. In free practice Can already showed very strong race pace, so we were ready for Superpole. That resulted in fifth place, just a tenth off pole. A 1’36,6 is a very sharp lap time, but when everything is so close, you can lose a few positions. Still, the starting position is excellent with a spot on the second row and strong race pace—he’s ready to race.

Yuki finished 1,1 seconds off pole, which marks his best qualifying result so far in the World Supersport class, and we’re very pleased with that. He improved with every new tire, which is exactly what we want to see. He’s also ready to race, and we hope he can score his first points of the season tomorrow.

We’re ready to celebrate our anniversary in the special livery that will be unveiled this evening.”

Öncü sees chance of victory in Assen slip away after GT-chicane incident, Okamoto 19th

Can Öncü crossed the line in tenth place on Saturday afternoon in Race 1 for the World Supersport class at the TT Circuit Assen. The Turkish rider had been leading for a long time until he was pushed off track by another rider with four laps to go. Teammate Yuki Okamoto finished nineteenth.

After a strong opening day and a successful presentation of the special livery on Friday, it was time to go racing at the TT Circuit Assen on Saturday. The day began sunny, but dark clouds gathered over the Drenthe circuit shortly before the start of the race.

Starting from fifth on the grid, Can Öncü made an excellent start and immediately moved up to second position. The Turkish rider felt comfortable on his yellow and blue Yamaha R9 and quickly launched an attack, taking the lead by the end of the opening lap.

Öncü was involved in several battles but kept a cool head heading into the final stages of the race. However, at the end of lap fourteen, his chance of victory was taken away when another rider completely misjudged the Geert Timmer chicane, forcing the Turkish rider off the track. Öncü was able to continue, eventually finishing tenth, 1.999 seconds behind the winner, but it was obviously not the result he, the Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing team, and the many attending partners, sponsors, and guests had hoped for.

Yuki Okamoto also had a strong opening lap, moving up from 21^st on the grid to 16^th. Light rain halfway through the race proved challenging for the Japanese rider, causing him to lose several positions, and he ultimately finished nineteenth, just over twelve seconds behind the winner.

Can Öncü (P10 | +1,999):
“We were unfortunately unable to turn what has been a very strong weekend so far into a good result. I’m very disappointed with this race, but I know we can be fast and consistent. Let’s do our best to make things right tomorrow in Race 2.”

Yuki Okamoto (P19 | +12,635):
“It was another challenging day for me. In the morning I faced an issue which meant I couldn’t ride my pace. In the race I had a good start and made up some positions, but after that I also made some mistakes and dropped them again. Finally I finished in 19^thposition, which is not the position I wanted but I made progress with regards to the race time: I was 19 seconds faster over race distance compared to last year. I need to keep going like this and hopefully the weather will be on our side.”

Kervin Bos – Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing team manager:
“Mixed feelings for us after this first race in Assen. Up until that point, Can had a flawless weekend and did exactly what he needed to do. Everything was going according to plan, and we’re very pleased with that. However, what happened in the race is unacceptable. Contact was caused by another rider, completely ruining Can’s race. The other rider received only a ‘Drop 1 position’ penalty, which in hindsight was too lenient, as the Stewards also acknowledged afterwards. Can remained calm and finished the race, but this is of course not what we had hoped for in our home race. These things can happen, but we will regroup and come back fighting tomorrow. The speed and composure are there, so hopefully we can reach the podium tomorrow.

For Yuki, it has been a very positive weekend so far. He is showing that the test is paying off and rode close to the points positions for a long time during this race. When it started to rain, it became difficult to maintain the pace, but towards the end he came back strongly, which shows he has taken a step in the right direction, both as a rider and as a person. We can help him, but that final step towards the points is very small yet very difficult. However, it will only be a matter of time before he makes it.”

Öncü takes first World Supersport podium with Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing in Assen

Can Öncü finished third on Sunday in the second World Supersport race at the TT Circuit Assen. The Turkish rider led for a large part of the race but had no chance to attack in the closing stages as the red flag was waved six laps before the end.

After the first World Supersport race at the TT Circuit Assen ended in a disappointing way, the entire Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing team was highly motivated to bounce back in Race 2. However, just minutes before the start it began to rain heavily, making the track conditions raise question marks.

Starting on slick tyres, Can Öncü made a phenomenal start, moving from tenth on the grid straight up to second place. By the second lap, the Turkish rider had taken the lead, which he held for much of the race. Midway through, he was involved in an intense battle with many position changes. In lap thirteen, however, an incident brought out the red flag, and the race was not restarted. At that moment Öncü was in third place, securing his first podium finish of the season. He now sits sixth in the championship standings.

Yuki Okamoto had more difficulty in these conditions and lost several positions in the opening phase. He ultimately finished Race 2 in 28th place.

Can Öncü (P3 | +1,166):
“We have had quite a difficult period. The first two rounds were tough but now here in Assen we did a restart. Yesterday we were already on for a good result but unfortunately I was forced off the track by another rider. Today I was in a good position again and finally I finished on the podium. I hope this is our real start of the year and that we will achieve many more podium finishes together. It is my first one for Ten Kate Racing, which is very special. Let’s continue like this in the upcoming races.”

Yuki Okamoto (P27 | +3 sectors):
“I am a little disappointed in myself because I know I can do better. I will remain focused on the next round in Balaton and give it my all again. Thanks to everyone in the team for their hard work, and for everyone who visited us this weekend. It was special to see them all.”

Kervin Bos – Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing team manager:
“It turned out to be a very successful weekend for us, during which we celebrated our 25^th anniversary in the world championship. We went all out for this event, with the unveiling of the special livery on Friday evening and a VIP dinner on Saturday. Over the course of the weekend we welcomed more than 400 guests, and the highlight was ultimately Can’s podium finish. He rode a very strong race and definitely had a chance to win, but unfortunately that didn’t happen due to the red flag. I think this weekend we finally made a step forward with him and are where we want to be, and we will continue to build on that.

Yuki also had a good weekend, and we know he still has to adapt to many things. When it started raining just before the race, it was difficult for him to handle, which is understandable as these are situations he has not often experienced. The results are not yet what we expect, but we clearly see significant improvements and are confident that we will soon see him scoring points. The team in the pit box and the hospitality team did a fantastic job this weekend, and we would like to thank all partners, sponsors, and relations for their presence.”

The next round of the FIM Supersport World Championship will take place from May 1 to 3 at the Balaton Park Circuit in Hungary.