Ride Assen this July

If the current entry in your diary for July 10 this year can beat the intense excitement of riding at the world-famous Assen circuit on a Ducati, then look away now. If it can’t, read on.

The Ducati Riding Experience (DRE) has been going since 2003, and offers riders of all abilities the opportunity to ride on great tracks, with fantastic instructors – all in the name of improving your bike skills.

Not a Ducati owner? It doesn’t matter, the price of your course includes the bike, and that means you’ll be lapping in style on a brand new 899 Panigale or Monster 1200. Simply choose your course, and get yourself to the track. You can even hire riding kit if you don’t already have everything you need, or simply want to fly in, uncluttered by track riding clobber – full factory style.

On 10 July, DRE rolls in to Assen, and I’ll be riding my longterm 899 Panigale to the track, absorbing some learning, then riding back again; 1,000 road miles and a day of action at the iconic circuit. There aren’t many better ways to lose yourself for three days.

TT Circuit Assen has hosted the Dutch motorcycle Grand Prix since 1925, and now also plays host to a round of the British Superbike Championship (September 19-21 this year) too, and the instructors at DRE are no less short on pedigree. Manuel Poggiali, Paolo Casoli and Andrew Pitt are regulars, while this particular DRE includes Michele Pirro, official test rider for Ducati Corse, in the instructor line-up.

My own DRE will see me taking part in the ‘Racing Course Level II’ program, which is perfectly suited to my needs right now. After a couple of years riding adventure bikes, my track time has been sorely lacking (a hilarious day scraping furrows in the Tarmac of Sachsenring on an R1200GS last May excepted).

I’m well and truly back in the sportsbike groove already, but hope that some dedicated track time, with seriously good instructors, will accelerate my learning – while also giving me the chance to address some specific issues I have, such as getting on the gas earlier on corner exit, and laying down better braking markers.

DRE riders are divided into groups of five on the day, according to experience and ability, each group guided by an expert instructor, so you’ll never be out of your depth, or comfort zone.

It’ll also be a great little road trip, too. See you there?

Courses still available are:
Intermediate £365 (450 euros)
Racing Course Level II £845 (1040 euros)
Master Racing Course £1212 (1490 euros)

Head to Ducati Riding Experience now to find out more, and to book your place.