Four Dutch riders in the World Sportbike Championship: Jurrien van Crugten from Magny-Cours

Ioannis Peristeras rode an Aprilia RS660 from MMR Racing in the first five rounds of the season, but the Greek rider failed to secure a top-15 finish in any of the ten races. Following the summer break in the entry-level series, which has been in place since Misano on 14 June, the Italian team is therefore returning with a new line-up. For the final three events – starting with Magny-Cours this coming weekend – Jurrien van Crugten will ride the second bike alongside Thomas Benetti.

Van Crugten won the 2024 Northern Talent Cup and has since competed in the Red Bull Rookies Cup with limited success. In preparation for his debut, the Dutchman from Hoogerheide took part in – and won – the RS660 Cup at Misano, and completed a test on the French circuit – so the sportbike category is not entirely new to the 17-year-old.

“I’m really delighted about this opportunity with the MMR team. I’ve had my eye on competing in the World Sportbike Championship for a while now, so I’m really looking forward to my debut at Magny-Cours,” said the teenager, commenting on his surprise entry. “It will be a new experience for me, and I know I still have a lot to learn. But I’m ready to give it my all from the very first practice session and to work hard with the team. I can’t wait to get started and see what we can achieve together.”

The small nation of the Netherlands produces an enviably large number of fast motorbike racers. Alongside Jeffrey Buis and Kas Beekmanns (both Suzuki) as well as Loris Veneman (Kawasaki), van Crugten is the fourth Dutch rider in the field! Buis

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