Assen (The Netherlands), 25 April 2013 – World Superbike riders are famous all over the world for their spectacular manoeuvres on track, but the challenge some of them had to face today went beyond their knowledge of riding on two wheels.
Thursday’s WSBK traditional Pre-Event at Assen saw world level bike trial rider Rick Koekoek, who lives in Hoogeveen, 40 km from TT Assen Circuit, holding a Master Class of the discipline to a selection of WSBK riders: Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team), Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet), Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Leon Haslam (Pata Honda World Superbike) representing the eni FIM Superbike World Championship, Kenan Sofuoglu (Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki), home riders Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Supersport) and wild-card Kevin van Leuven (United Gebben Racing) for the Supersport World Championship and Tony Covena (Nito Racing Kawasaki) for the Superstock 600 European Championship.
At the SBK Paddock Show, Rick Koekoek first demonstrated his own outstanding bike trial skills, jumping all over the place – on piles of pallets especially placed for the show and on the stage – onboard his bike and captivating the fans with his amazing stunts.
Koekoek then taught the basics to his one-time students. Leon Haslam was undoubtedly the best performer of all riders who attended the event, as he succeeded in each of the increasingly-difficult tasks required by Rick Koekoek.
