Ten Kate Honda's Gino Rea took his second career victory in the European Superstock 600 class at Assen after a titanic struggle which saw four of the leading riders crash out, leaving Rea with a 10-point lead in the championship.
The youngster qualified fifth but got the holeshot into turn one. He led for two laps until Lonbois went past then all five of the title contenders got into a scrap for the lead.
With three laps remaining, Bussolotti ran too fast at the end of the home straight and took both himself and Petrucci out of the race leaving the remaining three to fight it out.
With a podium easily in reach and two title contenders out, Rea decided to ride smart and would have been happy with a podium. Two laps to go and Lombois passed Litgens for the lead but lost the front shortly after. Into the final lap and Litgens led rea to the final corner but locked up the rear leaving enough of a gap for Rea to pass to lead the final 100m to the finish line.
"I got a really good start and managed to lead the first two laps. My bike doesn't quite have the straight-line speed so I was pushing at the beginning while I had a new tyre to stay with the leading group," said Rea.
"Towards the end of the race I was in a good position to battle for the win or a podium when the Yamaha Italia riders took each other out. With a podium easily in reach I sat in third with two laps to go. They had a bit of a gap so I pushed to close up, I was right behind Joey Litjens when Lonbois went down.
"I used my head and pushed just enough to be close to Joey on the final lap when he broke a little too late into the final chicane, I didnt hesitate to take the gap and finished on the top step! I'm thrilled to take the win and a 10-point lead in the championship!"
