Miguel Oliveira completed the first free practice session at the TT Circuit Assen in 12th position, recovering from a crash that occurred just 10 minutes before the session ended. The Portuguese rider, competing for the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, was running strongly throughout the morning before losing control of his BMW M 1000 RR in the final stages of FP1.
According to the session timetable published for the third round of the 2026 Superbike World Championship, FP1 took place on Friday, April 17, 2026, at the Dutch circuit known as the ‘Cathedral of Speed’. Oliveira had shown consistent pace earlier in the session, building on his podium finish from the previous round in Portimão where he secured his first top-three result in WorldSBK competition.
The incident occurred during a busy period of track activity as riders pushed to improve their lap times before the session’s conclusion. Oliveira’s BMW was seen sliding off the circuit at one of Assen’s high-speed sections, though he was able to return to the pits and resume limited activity before the chequered flag. Despite the interruption, he managed to clock sufficient laps to secure 12th place on the combined timesheets.
Session leader Nicolò Bulega continued his dominant start to the 2026 campaign, setting the benchmark pace aboard his Aruba.it Ducati Panigale V4R. The Italian rider, who had swept all three races at Phillip Island and repeated the feat in Portimão, led a Ducati front row lockout with teammate Iker Lecuona splitting the factory machines in second. Aprilia’s Lorenzo Baldassarri claimed third, ahead of the improving Yamaha package ridden by Remy Gardner.
Oliveira’s BMW teammate Danilo Petrucci also experienced a moment during FP1, though his incident was less severe and did not significantly impact his lap count. Both Italian and Portuguese riders remained in contention for improved positions heading into the afternoon’s FP2 session, where track evolution and changing weather conditions typically reshape the competitive order.
The Portuguese contingent at Assen was bolstered by the presence of Tomás Alonso, who competed in the inaugural World Sportbike Championship round aboard a Yamaha prepared by the Miguel Oliveira Team. Alonso had failed to score points in the season-opening round in Portimão and was seeking his first championship tally at the Dutch venue.
Pirelli tire selection played a role in the session dynamics, with most runners opting for the softer compound options to maximize grip on the abrasive Dutch asphalt. The TT Circuit Assen’s unique characteristics – featuring long, flowing corners and minimal heavy braking zones – placed particular emphasis on mid-corner speed and chassis stability rather than outright braking performance.
As the Superbike paddock turned its attention to FP2, Oliveira and his BMW crew focused on analyzing the morning’s data to address any balance issues that may have contributed to his late-session excursion. The Portuguese rider’s objective remained clear: to consolidate his early-season momentum and challenge for a podium finish in Sunday’s races, building on the confidence gained from his Portimão result.
The third round of the 2026 Superbike World Championship continued through Saturday and Sunday, with Superpole determining the grid for Race 1 on Saturday afternoon and the Superpole Race on Sunday morning. Race 2 concluded the weekend’s action on Sunday afternoon, completing the traditional WorldSBK format at one of motorsport’s most historic venues.
For continued updates on the 2026 Superbike World Championship and Miguel Oliveira’s progress with BMW Motorrad, follow official championship communications and team announcements throughout the Assen weekend.
