Kratochwil bags season opener honours in Assen
After a long winter break, the Northern Talent Cup was back in action at Assen, with Fynn Kratochwil (MASS SPORTS Racing by JRP Motorsport) securing victory in the first race of the season – kickstarting his 2025 campaign in style. The German converted pole to win by 0.240s over Anina Urlab (Kiefer Racing), who was promoted to second at the line after teammate Thias Wenzel (Kiefer Racing) ran over the green on the final lap – dropping to third.
As the lights went out, there was drama from the outset as polesitter Kratochwil lost ground, allowing Wenzel to steal the lead at Turn 1. The front-runners began to duel in the opening laps, with elbows-out action as Kratochwil quickly responded. Meanwhile, there was added drama on the starting grid after Valdemar Mellgren (Nordgren Racing) was involved in an incident with Roman Durdis (FS12 Racing Team), who later received a penalty for irresponsible riding.
Everything was still to play for with seven laps remaining, with Urlab and Swan Emprin (SWAN96#) beginning to claw back time, soon latching onto the back of the race leaders – leading to a four-way fight for P1. The battle for P5 was fierce, too, with Alessandro Binder (ASR Binder Racing), Robin Siegert (Motorace Academy Germany), Lorenzo Pontillo (Belgian Motorcycle Academy), Tom Rolin (Belgian Motorcycle Academy) and Jaylen Korporaal (ADR Racing) locked in an intense fight – keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
The battle for the final spot inside the top five raged onto the penultimate lap, with nail-biting moves and three wide moments – setting the stage for a blockbuster finish. Fireworks would fly on the final lap, with Wenzel leading the race as slipstream proved to be crucial. Kratochwil found the perfect opportunity, launching the decisive overtake at Turn 15 to snatch the lead. It was a classic Assen finish, with late drama as Wenzel touched the green at the final chicane – demoting the #17 one position. This allowed Urlab to claim second, with Wenzel now completing the podium.
Emprin narrowly missed out on a podium finish in Race 1, crossing the line 0.188s adrift in fourth. The French rider would finish comfortably ahead of Pontillo, who claimed the final spot inside the top five ahead of Binder in sixth and Rolin in seventh. Korporaal took eighth over the line, with Tobias Kitzbichler (Racingteam Kitzbichler) charging to ninth after starting P21 on the grid, crossing the line to beat Adam Vyskocil (FS12 Racing Team), who rounded out the top 10. Meanwhile, it was a difficult end to Saturday for Siegert, Durdis and Tudor Dedea (TUDOR RACING), all of which did not finish Race 1.
Kratochwil completes the perfect start to 2025
All eyes remained on Fynn Kratochwil on Sunday as the #8 made it two from two at Assen, capping off the perfect weekend with a commanding victory in Race 2. Kratochwil was unstoppable, extending his race lead to 8.269s over Alessandro Binder at the flag after a relentless pace. Meanwhile, there was plenty of drama and action in an incredible fight for second position, with Binder prevailing over Anina Urlab, who bagged her second consecutive podium – a battle which was decided at the line.
Starting from the pole, Kratochwil made the perfect launch in Race 2, leaping into the lead as the lights went out. It was a stunning pace from Kratochwil on the opening lap, with only Thias Wenzel able to show a front wheel at Turn 5. Now, with a clear track ahead, Kratochwil threw down an early gauntlet, setting the initial fastest lap of the race and bridging over a one-second lead on Lap 2.
There was plenty of action behind Kratochwil as the fight for second position was just getting started. A five-rider group quickly formed, with Wenzel, Urlab, Lorenzo Pontillo, Alessandro Binder and Tom Rolin beginning an intense fight as disaster struck for Jaylen Korporaal, who suffered a highside with 11 laps remaining. The five-rider battle for second would later turn into six, with Swan Emprin joining the fight for P2.
All the attention was glued to the battle for a second, with nobody able to break away as Kratochwil continued to edge into the distance. Tension built, with the action reaching its boiling point as it all came down to the final corner of the weekend, with Kratochwil winning comfortably as Binder launched a stunning move at the final chicane. The #85 held onto second in a drag race to the line, with Urlab pipping Kiefer Racing teammate Wenzel on the exit of the final corner.
Wenzel crossed the line in fourth, unable to claim a double podium finish in the Netherlands. Emprin rounded out the top five, finishing ahead of Belgian Motorcycle Academy rider Pontillo, who was sixth after being demoted one position – beating teammate Rolin in seventh. It was another solid result for Rolin as Robin Siegert took the flag in eighth position, finishing ahead of Tobias Kitzbichler in ninth. Meanwhile, Roman Durdis would take the final spot inside the top 10, walking away from the weekend with six points after a challenging Race 1.
After a dominant display at the legendary TT Circuit Assen, Kratochwil leaves with a perfect 50-point haul and an early 14-point lead over Wenzel in the standings. With momentum on his side, all attention turns to Oschersleben, where Round 2 promises further drama as the Northern Talent Cup resumes in May!
