DAO Racing are prepared to battle their way to the front of round nine of the ZYN British Superbike Championship at the world-famous TT Circuit Assen in the Netherlands, affectionately known as the Cathedral of Speed, where Josh Brookes and Lee Jackson are aiming to bring home the goods.

Following on from the team’s best weekend of the 2026 season at Cadwell Park, where Lee Jackson secured sixth place in the opening race of the weekend, the squad are now looking to build on this momentum as they aim to start the Showdown in successful fashion.

‘LeeBob’ currently sits inside the top 10 of the Championship standings on 118 points, just 15 points shy of Christian Iddon, who currently occupies eighth in the series. The Lincolnshire man, who has been Mr Consistent in 2026, scoring points in all but one race so far, has the chance to claim a top-eight spot in the Netherlands and has his eyes firmly set on doing so.

Josh Brookes, who has endured a challenging season, sits 15th in the standings and 30 points shy of eighth. The 43-year-old Australian from Bringelly could claw away at that gap across the weekend, with three solid point-scoring finishes at one of his favourite tracks on the calendar.

Known as the ‘Cathedral of Speed’, the TT Circuit Assen is one of the most iconic venues in motorcycle racing. The first Dutch TT was held in 1925 on a 28.4-kilometre public-road circuit, before a permanent circuit was constructed in 1955. Assen has been a constant fixture on the World Championship calendar since its formation in 1949, giving it a unique place in the history of motorcycle racing.

The modern 4.542-kilometre circuit is renowned for its fast, flowing layout, technical corners and high-speed changes of direction, making it a demanding challenge for both rider and machine. With the ZYN British Superbike Championship returning to Assen for the opening round of the 2026 Showdown, the Dutch venue will provide a crucial test as the championship battle enters its decisive phase.

Josh Brookes: “I’m looking forward to Assen. It’s the European round of our season and I think it’s good for us to go there. It’s a circuit that I first raced at back in the World Championship and I’ve always had memorable moments there, so I am certainly looking forward to heading back.

“We’re heading to Assen wanting to put together the best combination of hard work and best practice to get the most out of our package. Lee got the better of me in all three races at Cadwell, so this weekend I’m looking to repay the favour and achieve some positive results.”

Lee Jackson: “It was great to have Assen back on the calendar last year. I certainly didn’t want to miss it, and it was my first weekend back after injury, so I really enjoyed being back there. This year, I have the same excitement heading over the water. It’s one of the most iconic circuits in the world and I’ve really enjoyed my time there in the past.

“I do feel the weather could play its part. It often does at Assen, and that could quite possibly suit us and help us. I feel confident; we have certainly found a good direction with the bike over the recent few rounds that I feel could help us this weekend. Hopefully, we can be fighting in the top eight consistently and getting closer to the lead group.”

Team Manager Jonny Bagnall: “We’re really looking forward to heading to Assen this weekend, it’s a circuit with so much history and provides some of the best racing that the series produces.

“The fast and flowing nature of the track should hopefully suit the Fireblade, and that does give us a little confidence heading into the weekend. We’re getting into the time of the season where the weather could really play its part, so as a team we have to be prepared for that, and the team are well prepared for this. The team and both riders are keen to round out this year on a high, and we hope that begins this weekend.”

The weekend’s action kicks off at 11:15am on September 18, with two free practice sessions and a pre-qualifying session. Saturday will see qualifying and race one take place, with two races on Sunday, September 20. All times are CET, +1 BST