Baldassarri and Sissis battle it out at Assen

The Assen round of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup provided plenty of excitement as a double-header saw Italian rider Lorenzo Baldassarri and Australian Arthur Sissis continue their intense battle at the head of the Championship.

In race one on Friday it was Baldassarri who took victory ahead of Sissis as the Italian put in an incredibly strong final two laps to secure the win, with young British rider and pole starter James Flitcroft completing the podium in third as the riders dealt with a track that dried out quickly as the race progressed.

Race two on Saturday was an even closer affair as Baldassarri and Sissis battled to the final lap, the Australian edging it by just two-tenths after a thrilling scrap with his rival as the 14-lap contest again started on a wet track which dried rapidly.

Impressive in third was German youngster Florian Alt, who rose from 18th on the grid to enter the fight for the race lead before settling for a podium finish in a magnificent ride.

You can read the full report for each race by clicking here for race one, and here for race two.

With victory in race two Sissis took the lead of the Championship ahead of Baldassarri by just five points, and the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup will be in action again this weekend at Mugello.