The Assen circuit is steeped in motorcycle racing history and has been an iconic track for fans across Europe and renowned as 'The Cathedral'.

The original Assen track was first used for the 1925 Dutch Tourist Trophy race, held on country roads through the villages. The circuit remained unchanged until 1955, when a whole new circuit was built close to the site of the original and initially had a length of 4.788 miles.

The circuit was fundamentally redesigned again in 2006, becoming the Assen TT Circuit. All alterations aside, only one section of the circuit is original; the finish line never moved.

In 1999 the circuit was modified with a new grandstand, control tower, press centre and renovated pit garages. Modifications to the Assen circuit over the winter of 2005/6 saw the length reduced to 2.822 miles.

Assen has rapid changes in direction, and is fully surrounded by grass banks and grandstands, providing excellent viewing for the hundreds of thousands of spectators who visit every year. A huge favourite with riders, Assen is well known for its festive and extravagant atmosphere.

Defending champion Tommy Hill's start to the Showdown proved disastrous as he was sidelined from the first race by an incident on the grid following the sighting lap as he collided with a mechanic. He started from pitlane but was later forced to retire.

In the first race Shane Byrne overcame the discomfort of his shoulder injury and the challenges of Samsung Honda's Michael Laverty to power his Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki to a fifth victory of the season ahead of Brookes with Alex Lowes a strong third for WFR Honda.

Byrne led for much of race two but Brookes who had fought his way ahead of Laverty and Lowes after a bad start, was closing in and with three laps to go moved into the lead.  Byrne responded going into the final lap as the race win went down to the wire but Brookes made a last gasp bid for the win at the left hander ahead of the chicane and then won the dash to the line.

Lowes was again third to claim his first double podium finish, ahead of Hill and Title Fighter Tommy Bridewell, who went one better than in the opening race, while Laverty struggled and finished seventh.