Jonathan Rea riding the Ten Kate Honda CBR 1000RR took victory in the second race of the World Superbikes at the Assen circuit in the Netherlands. Rea crashed out of the first race and injured a finger but fought the pain to take victory at a circuit which has been kind to him in the past. First race victor Sylvain Guintoli claimed the second position while third place went to Eugene Laverty who fought off a spirited challenge from the two BMW S 1000Rs of Marco Melandri and Leon Haslam. Sixth place went to the Kawasaki rider Tom Sykes who started from pole and was forced to retire in the first race with a blown radiator. The sixth position was some consolation for the Kawasaki rider who was expected to dominate today’s races at Assen owing to his consistent speed at preseason tests and also in the first couple of races. Laverty’s podium was his first with Aprilia for whom he is riding this season. His teammate Max Biaggi finished in eighth position but has taken the lead in the championship standings.