Xavi Cardelús Finishes 26th in Assen World Supersport Race After High-Speed Superpole Crash

Andorran rider Xavi Cardelús finished 26th in the second World Supersport race at Assen on Sunday, ending a tough weekend dominated by his high-speed crash during Saturday's Superpole session.

Riding for Cerba Yamaha Racing, Cardelús lined up 30th on the grid—tenth row—after the qualifying fall. He climbed three places in the first two laps but couldn't sustain the pace, limited by his starting position, physical soreness, shaken confidence, and post-crash bike tweaks. His fastest race lap was 1:38.023, earning no points and leaving him with two from the Phillip Island opener.

The incident unfolded on Superpole's second lap, the third round at the Dutch track. After one timed lap of 1:38.541—two tenths quicker than his free practice best—his Yamaha veered out of control at the penultimate corner, sliding at high speed into the main straight. The crash triggered a red flag; Cardelús lay on the track briefly before medical staff took him for checks. Doctors diagnosed bruising to his lower back and left hip but cleared him for Saturday's warm-up and both races, despite lingering pain, particularly in the hip.

He withdrew from Saturday's opener due to crash-related issues but pushed through Sunday's event.

After Superpole, Cardelús described the fall as not the ideal weekend start, noting he was very sore and planned to race anyway, pending how he felt overnight. Post-Sunday race, he called it a very difficult weekend, blaming the Superpole crash, a rear-grid start, and tricky sections of the Assen layout. "We have to forget it and keep working," he added.

Both Assen races began at 14:00 local time. The series heads to Hungary's Balaton Park on May 3-5.