22-year old Aussie Tom Edwards has shown he means business in 2024, leading the pack in both World SuperSport races this weekend at the Dutch WorldSBK, coming away with a career-best result of 5th in Race 1.
It was a tricky weekend to navigate with the April Assen weather bringing anything but perfect riding conditions. A gamble in race 1 paid off but the same unfortunately couldn’t be said for race two.
The chaos started in Friday Superpole, where conditions left multiple riders without a qualifying time. Edwards boxed early in the session to change to wet tyres but only managed to get a single lap in before a downpour spoiled the show, leaving him with P13 on the starting grid.
Race 1 was the ride of Edwards’ career so far, showing impeccable skill riding to the conditions. Edwards made the decision to start the race on wet tires whereas the usual front runners went out on slicks.
It was an epic battle at the front of the pack with Edwards taking the race lead for numerous laps. The rain decided it wasn’t coming back and the ever-quick drying TT circuit made the wet tyres harder and harder the manage. Edwards narrowly missed out on his first podium finish when those on slicks came through. He finished the race with a career-best of 5th place and 1st in the World SuperSport Challenge.
Race 2 was another gamble of which tyres to run with. Edwards, starting in P17 on the grid, decided to start on slick tyres, as did most.
A huge downpour started on the warm-up lap but Edwards showed world-class skill, quickly making his way from P17 to take the race lead with a 6-second gap on a track as slippery as ice.
Edwards, hoping the track would dry as quickly as it did the day before, decided not to box to change to wet tyres. A gamble that ultimately cost him the race when more rain came later in the race. Edwards made a late box to change tires but the race was all but over for the young Aussie.
“Definitely one of the craziest weekends of racing I’ve had weather-wise. The team and I are making really strong progress as a team. Considering it’s our first couple of races together and we haven’t had a chance to test much, I’m really happy with our results.
It was good to get some more experience on the Ducati on the wet. To lead a World SuperSport race was pretty surreal and then to do it again on Sunday, overall it was a positive weekend.
Now to use the 7-week break to train and keep making progress. We’ve got some testing planned before our next race which will be really beneficial. It’ll also be a team home round which is exciting. I’m confident in my team and my bike and can’t wait to see what we’ll do together as the season progresses.
Tom’s next race will be in Misano, Italy 14 - 16 June.
