Red-flag upset for PTR Triumph in race one at Assen

It was a day of mixed fortunes for PTR Triumph riders Tom Booth-Amos and Oli Bayliss in race one of the 2025 FIM Supersport World Championship at the TT Circuit Assen today. 

Booth-Amos got off to a good start in the original 18-lap race, launching from P2 on the grid to quickly settle in fourth position. However, the race was red-flagged on the opening lap due to a two-rider crash, prompting a quick re-start procedure and a shortened race distance of 12-laps.

The re-start did not play in favour of either PTR Triumph rider. Booth-Amos struggled off the line and dropped to P7 but fought hard to regain positions, eventually finishing a very respectable fifth.  Booth-Amos will head up the third row of the grid in seventh place for tomorrow’s race two.

Teammate Bayliss’ restart was unfortunately cut short after he crashed unhurt at turn three on the opening lap of the restarted race. The Aussie rider will start tomorrow’s race from P13 on the grid.

Tom Booth-Amos: “Not the result we wanted today but we were just struggling with a few things.  We need to look again and try again tomorrow.”

Oli Bayliss: “After a good warm-up I expected a good race but after the restart I crashed on the first lap. We’ll try again tomorrow.  Sorry to my team and sponsors.”

PTR Triumph Racing Factory Team Manager Simon Buckmaster: “To be fair, who thought we would ever be super disappointed with fifth but we are still fighting in the first three in the championship and that is our aim, we have to score as many points as we can every race. Off the line in the restart Tom said the clutch was slipping and then there’s a bad start and, it’s such a tight group the race is done then. He got through to fifth and when he did he didn’t really lose any ground to the front group.  It’s still a good result, we’ll keep fighting, look forward tomorrow see what the weather conditions will be and fight for the podium and the win again.  With Oli the first start was good, the second was ok but he had a coming together with Marcel Schroetter and went down but that’s racing. Disappointed obviously for Oli but he had good pace in qualifying and should be fighting inside the top ten, we need to achieve that tomorrow.”

Race 2 Assen – TBA crashes out of podium fight as Bayliss DNF

It was a dramatic 2025 FIM Supersport World Championship race two at Assen for PTR Triumph.  Tom Booth-Amos delivered a stunning performance, charging through the field from P7 on the grid and battling for the win with Stefano Manzi and Can Oncu.  Demonstrating impressive pace, Booth-Amos posted the third fastest lap of the race with a 1’37.789 on lap eleven.

With just four laps of the 18-lap race remaining, while running in a strong third position and pushing for a potential win, Booth-Amos unfortunately suffered a crash.  He was unhurt and able to rejoin the race to cross the line and secure a single championship point.

Despite the crash, the British rider’s determination ensured he remains third overall in the championship standings as the season continues on to Cremona in Italy in three weeks time.

Tom Booth-Amos: “Well it was looking like a really good result but unfortunately as soon as I touched the throttle the front end folded and that was that, luckily enough I got back on and got a point so we just need to concentrate on Cremona and get back on the top of the podium.”

There was further disappointment on the other side of the garage for teammate Oli Bayliss in race two.  After a good start it became apparent he was experiencing a technical issue as he started to lose ground and was eventually forced to retire from the race after just eight laps.  It’s a frustrating setback for the Aussie rider who was hoping to build some momentum after crashing out of race one yesterday.

Oli Bayliss: “Difficult day today, struggled with the bike overheating in warm up and then for the race on the first lap it happened again.  I rode the bike until it cut out and I unfortunately had to retire.  Difficult to end the weekend like this as in qualifying/warm ups we had good speed. Thanks to my team and supporters.”

PTR Triumph Racing Factory Team Manager Simon Buckmaster: “What looked so good today ended in a disappointing way. Tom was in the top three fighting for the win but he crashed out. He got back on and managed to grab one point which could be important in the end. Obviously he is very disappointed and so are we for him.  We’ll continue to work hard together, just go to the next one and make sure we keep getting results and challenging for the podium and wins. With Oli, when you have instances where you crash there can be problems. It was a new engine went in the bike, it’s overheated and he had to stop in the race.  Another disappointing weekend for him but we know the results will come so we just have to stay positive.  We’ve a test coming up at Donington next week and we’ll look to the next round at Cremona.”