The Assen race track in the north of the Netherlands is a pilgrimage site for motorcycle fans: Since 1925, races on two wheels have been held around the city. The TT Circuit Assen is located in the flat province of Drenthe but is still considered technically demanding because fast chicanes follow one another almost without pause. Here you can read about the origins of the name and nickname, the sections that define a lap, how to get there as a fan from Germany, and how to bring the track to your wall as a 3D relief.
Why Motorcycle Fans Call the Assen Race Track a Cathedral
Among fans, the track has a nickname that reveals more than any circuit map: Cathedral of Speed. This doesn’t refer to a building but to a status. For many motorcycle fans, a race weekend in Assen is one of those experiences you must have at least once—just like a visit to the Nürburgring Nordschleife is for car fans.
The reputation has two roots. The first is its age: The Dutch TT, the Netherlands’ major motorcycle race, was first held in 1925. The second is its consistency: As early as 1949, in the first season of the Motorcycle World Championship, Assen was on the calendar, and since then, the Dutch TT has been a permanent fixture in the championship.
The abbreviation in the name is also a piece of history. TT stands for Tourist Trophy, a term the organizers adopted from the traditional road race on the Isle of Man. In addition to the Motorcycle World Championship, the Superbike World Championship also regularly stops in Assen.
Blocked Country Roads, Modifications, Sunday Races: The History of the Dutch TT
The first races did not take place on a closed circuit but on blocked country roads around Assen. This was common in the 1920s, as race tracks in today’s sense barely existed. Riders sped through villages and past fields, with spectators standing right at the roadside.
Over the following decades, the track was relocated, modified, and shortened several times. The last major change came in the mid-2000s when the northern section was removed. Since then, the course has been much more compact than in its early years.
One peculiarity persisted for a particularly long time: Until 2015, the main race took place on a Saturday. Only since 2016 has Assen also hosted races on Sundays, like the other World Championship rounds.
From the Hairpin to the Chicane: The Corners of the Assen Track
You won’t gain much elevation on the Assen race track. What makes the course difficult is the rhythm: Many corners flow seamlessly into one another, and if you turn in too early or too late in one, you lose the line for the next. Here are a few names you should know when following a race.
Haarbocht and Strubben: Braking Points in the First Section
After the start and finish, the track leads into the Haarbocht, the first corner where the field sorts itself out after the start. Shortly afterward comes Strubben, a hairpin that forces the bikes to brake hard. Both spots are classic braking points where positions can change in the early stages of a race.
Veenslang: The Long, Fast Section
After Strubben, the track opens up. The Veenslang is a long, fast section where the bikes stay in a lean for an extended period. A clean exit here sets you up for the next part of the lap.
De Bult to Hoge Heide: The Chicanes
In the latter part of the track, a series of fast direction changes follows one after another. For spectators, these sections are particularly exciting because you can see the riders lean their motorcycles from one side to the other. This sequence is what gives the track its reputation.
Ramshoek and Geert Timmer Chicane: The Finale
Just before the finish line is the Ramshoek, a fast left kink, followed by the chicane named after Geert Timmer. Because it’s right before the finish line, races are often decided here in the final lap: a late braking point, a counterattack, and the order changes.
Visiting TT Assen: Tips for Fans from Germany
Assen is located in the province of Drenthe in the northeast of the Netherlands. From the border with the Emsland region, you can reach it in about an hour, depending on the crossing—making it an easily manageable trip for many fans from northern Germany.
- Date: The Dutch TT usually takes place in the second half of June. The exact date for 2027 can be found in the Motorcycle World Championship calendar once it is published.
- Accommodation: There are camping sites around the track that fill up quickly during race weekends. Hotels in Assen and the surrounding area should be booked as early as possible.
- Atmosphere: Many fans travel by motorcycle, and the city of Assen also celebrates during the race weekend.
- Seating: If you want to see the chicanes, choose a spot in the rear part of the track. To experience position battles in the final lap, sit near the chicane before the finish line.
- Ride yourself: Outside of major races, various organizers offer track days for motorcycles. Performance groups, equipment requirements, and prices vary by provider.
Drenthe in a Frame: The TT Circuit Assen as a Wall Relief
The TT Circuit Assen as a 3D frame is available with the title “TT Assen”: The track stands out as a red relief against a dark background map, framed in a black frame with an acrylic front. Since Drenthe is so flat, the design relies less on elevation differences and more on the track layout. You can follow the Strubben hairpin, the Veenslang, and the zigzag in the rear section curve by curve with your eyes.
Two sizes are available. A4 (21×30 cm) for €55 fits on a shelf or in a row with other tracks, while A3 (30×40 cm) for €85 makes a statement on a wall on its own and is delivered free of shipping costs within Germany.
For an additional €5, the frame can be personalized: a name with up to 30 characters, a start number with a maximum of two digits, a country, and two lines of text with up to 40 characters each. For Assen, these lines could be:
- “Dutch TT 2026 – First Time in Assen”
- “First Track Day in Assen, May 2026”
- “Rode My Own Motorcycle There and Back”
As a start number, your own track day or club number usually fits better than a pro’s. Note: Personalized frames are made to order and are therefore excluded from the right of withdrawal. For hanging without drilling, there’s the adhesive nail for €3.99, which can be removed later without leaving residue. More tracks can be found in the 3D Race Track Frames collection.
Under the Christmas Tree: Gift Ideas for Dutch TT Fans
An Assen frame makes the strongest impression as a gift when the recipient has a personal connection to the track. Here are a few scenarios where it fits perfectly—and one idea without a frame.
For the Regular Dutch TT Visitor
Anyone who travels to Drenthe every June knows the track from the perspective of the grass or grandstand. With the year of their first visit as a text line, the frame becomes a chronicle of this tradition.
For the Track Day Rider
If someone has already ridden in Assen, every corner is linked to a personal braking point. Their start number and the date of their first lap turn the track map into a personal keepsake.
Netherlands Duo: Assen and Zandvoort
For those who follow car races in addition to motorcycles, the Zandvoort race track frame offers the counterpart from the North Sea coast. Two A4 frames side by side create a small Netherlands wall, and at €110, the order qualifies for free shipping.
Two World Championship Venues Side by Side
If the recipient not only goes to Assen but also to motorcycle races in Saxony, the Sachsenring as a 3D relief fits perfectly next to it. This way, the Dutch and German World Championship venues hang in a row.
Without a Frame: Ticket or Track Day Voucher
A ticket for the next race weekend or a voucher for a track day in Assen will be redeemed in the coming year and carries the anticipation through the winter. Combined with the frame, the recipient has something to unwrap and something to experience.
For presentation, there’s the Premium Gift Packaging with Silver Foil for €9.90, in which the frame lies in a foam insert. We ship within 1–2 business days—still, it’s best to order by mid-December. Non-personalized frames can be returned free of charge within 14 days. More inspiration can be found in our articles on Gifts for Motorcyclists from Tour to Track Day and Gifts for MotoGP Fans Beyond the Ordinary Merchandise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does TT Stand for in the Name TT Circuit Assen?
TT is short for Tourist Trophy. The Dutch organizers adopted the term from the road race on the Isle of Man, which is why the race in Assen is called the Dutch TT.
Since When Has the Motorcycle World Championship Raced in Assen?
The Dutch TT has existed since 1925, and it was already part of the first Motorcycle World Championship season in 1949. In the early years, races were held on closed public roads; the current course is the result of several modifications.
Why Is Assen Called the “Cathedral of Speed”?
The nickname reflects the track’s status: a long tradition, World Championship races since the first season, and a course that many fans want to experience live at least once. It has nothing to do with an actual building.
What Is the Geert Timmer Chicane?
It’s the final corner combination before the finish line. Because it’s so close to the finish, it’s the classic spot for overtaking maneuvers in the final lap.
Conclusion: Flat Land, Fast Lines
Assen proves that a race track doesn’t need mountains to earn respect. A tradition since 1925, World Championship races since the first season, and a lap full of fast direction changes make the course a must-visit for motorcycle fans across Europe. If you want to bring the Assen race track home, check out the TT Assen frame—for yourself or for someone who has already stood by the track in June.
