World Superbikes: Spinelli wins chaotic Assen opener on debut

After a sensational debut win, in which fortune favoured Spinelli’s brave tyre choice, the Italian rider struggled to sum up his victory.

“It’s incredible,” Spinelli told Eurosport after his sensational win.

“The last lap the gap was small but when I saw the red flag, I was like ‘wow, I win’.”

Spinelli, who started in 11th, held a 25-second lead after four laps as he picked his way through the order in the wet conditions.

The circuit continued to dry as the race progressed and the chasing pack, led by Bautista, began to eat into Spinelli’s lead, which dropped to 18 seconds with 11 laps to go.

The advantage dropped further to nine seconds with nine laps to go as the slick-shod runners began to run at times four seconds quicker per lap than Spinelli.

Razgatlioglu made a forceful move on Bautista heading into the final chicane to lead the charge with seven laps remaining.

That proved to be decisive, as the race was stopped on the following lap just as the 2021 champion looked to make a move on Spinelli.

“It was a strange race but I really enjoyed it,” said Razgatlioglu.

“Everyone was sliding looking for the good line. If we had one more lap, I was maybe winning but I am happy.”

There was disappointment for Rea after he fell back after starting from pole, but the six-time champion has another opportunity in the Superpole race and second feature race on Sunday.