Bayliss back on top with Assen double

Oli Bayliss made a winning return to the Quattro British Supersport Championship at Assen, claiming both the Sprint and Feature races for Macadam Triumph Factory Racing

Oli Bayliss returned to the Quattro British Supersport Championship in style at Assen, taking a clean sweep of victories in round nine for Macadam Triumph Factory Racing.

Back in action after a practice highside at Cadwell Park sidelined him from the previous BSB and WorldSBK rounds, Bayliss quickly found his rhythm at the famous Dutch venue. Drawing on his experience at the TT Circuit Assen from his time in the FIM Supersport World Championship, he was immediately on the pace and finished Friday’s combined practice sessions second overall.

Qualifying took place in wet conditions at the 2.8-mile circuit, with Bayliss securing sixth on the grid. That left him work to do in Saturday’s 10-lap Sprint, but he wasted no time moving forward and was up to second by the end of the opening lap. He soon passed Oliver Barr to take the lead, with Luke Stapleford giving chase.

What followed was a race-long fight between Bayliss and Stapleford, with the pair going wheel to wheel across the closing stages. Bayliss held firm to take the win by 0.242 seconds, earning second place on the grid for Sunday’s Feature race.

The weekend’s main race was shortened following delays earlier in the schedule, but Bayliss again delivered under pressure in the 13-lap contest. Starting from the front row, he moved into the lead on lap two with Jack Kennedy and Stapleford right behind him.

Stapleford closed in as the race developed, while Kennedy and Barr also joined the battle at the front to make it a four-rider scrap for victory. Kennedy briefly hit the front, but Bayliss responded decisively on the Triumph, reclaiming the lead with a strong pass and controlling the race from there to the chequered flag. Stapleford finished second, with Barr completing the podium.

The Assen double marked a perfect comeback weekend for Bayliss and also gave him a birthday victory to remember.

“It was a really good battle with a lot of fast guys,” said Bayliss. “It’s always good to come out on top, especially here at Assen. I’ve always had good speed here but never really had the luck, so I’m happy to finally put it all together. Thanks to the team, all my sponsors and Triumph Motorcycles for this weekend.”

Jack Mahaffy was another Aussie in action on the Astro-JJR HIPPO Suzuki. After qualifying 5th on the grid, Mahaffy was in 7th for much of the Sprint Race before finally finishing in 8th. Acceleration issues hampered his progress in the Feature Race, meaning he slipped down to 12th by the finish.

2026 BRITISH SUPERSPORT STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 9