Honda remains the only manufacturer not to claim a WorldSBK podium so far in 2021 - something which could change this weekend based on L🔜eon Haslam and Alvaro Bautista’s p🐭revious results at Assen. 

It’s 🅷been a particularly good venue for Haslam who has enjoyed several top fives - including three podiums in WorldSBK, but﷽ also BSB, such as his double win in both 2016 and 2018. 

To date, Haslam had his best round of the 2021 season la🐟st time out at Donington Park, which he’s ‘confident’ of building upon. 

Haslam added: "I’m looking forward to going to Assen, a circuit where I’ve had some great results and ꧒podiums on almost every bike I’ve ridden there in the past. 

"An historic track, it’s a bit like Phillip Island in some ways, and it’s always been one of my favourites. I have some great memories of the place too, like th🐬e double podium back in 2009 with the Stiggy Honda team. 

"So I think the Honda will go well there and I’m looking f🧔orwa꧒rd to getting back to work, confident we can build on our recent results at Donington."

For Bautista, the former MotoGP rider remains the last ridꦡer to win a WorldSBK race at Assen thanks to the double in 2019 with Aruba.it Ducati. 

Donington Park was a huge disappointment for the Spaniard given his lack of pace comparedಌ to Haslam, however, a lot of ‘data’ was collected as he aims to st♔art an intense part of the season with a ‘stronger base’.

"It’s going to be intense because we now have quite a few races c🌄oming very close togeꦛther. So we need to be as prepared as possible," added Bautista.  

"I really li🌜ke the Assen track anyway and can’t wait to get back on my bike after the 𝄹break. 

"We ꦦcollected a lot of data🍰 last time out at Donington and hopefully this means we can start with a stronger base this weekend and work hard to take some more steps forward."