The MotoGP world championship again returns to ‘the Cathedral’ this weekend for the 2016 Dutch TT.
Assen is one of the most historic tracks on the entire MotoGP calendar with the Dutch circuit being the longest running event in the history of the world championship.t
With Assen being one of the longest circuits on the calendar, it means that it has provided some classic moments over the years. The circuit has rarely stayed the same, although the finish line has stayed in the exact same place since the 1920s.
Assen has been one of Valentino Rossi’s favourite tracks over the years. The nine-time world champion has taken seven wins at the famous circuit in the premier class. Rossi also won here last year, in controversial circumstances.
Here, we count down five of the best Assen moments of recent memory. Whether that be Rossi’s comeback win in 2013 or one of many of the last corner incidents that have occurred over the years.
5. 2007
Fighting from the 11th on the grid, Rossi produced a storming performance to win ahead of Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden.
4. 2002
In a race that was stopped due to rain, Rossi was able to take yet another win on his 990cc Honda. However, Drama occurred on the final lap, when Carlos Checa went across the gravel on the final turn after being clipped by Tohru Ukawa, who fell.
3. 2006
2006 would be the closest Colin Edwards would ever come to a race win. Leading going into the final turn, he lost control going out of the chicane, handing it to fellow countryman Nicky Hayden.
2. 2013
The 2013 Dutch TT would turn out to be a monumental race for both of the Yamaha Factory riders. Valentino Rossi took home his first race win since leaving Yamaha in 2010 to join Ducati after many had doubted his ability to ever win again. Jorge Lorenzo also put in a monumental effort to finish 6th after breaking his collarbone in Thursday practice.
1. 2015
Last year’s race was a classic that again came down to the final turn, where Marc Marquez attempted to go past Valentino Rossi, but instead hit the Yamaha rider wide onto the gravel, who then took the win.