MotoGP 2025 Dutch TT: Preview

Written by Finn Glover, Edited by Kashish Goel

The MotoGP pilgrimage of 2025 reaches the ‘cathedral of speed’ | Credit: MotoGP

A staple on the MotoGP calendar since the series’ inception in 1949, the Dutch TT is the most fame-steeped race in all of grand prix motorcycle racing, and this year, it will host 22 ravenous riders all wanting to be crowned victorious at the ‘cathedral of speed.’

Assen is the home of unpredictability, the home of chaos, and it’s worthless to make predictions as to what this edition might entail. 

The Dutch TT; TT Circuit Assen 

Assen plays host to Europe’s longest grandstand, reinforcing its pedigree as a true fan favourite | Credit: MotoGP

Twisty. Fast. Unforgiving. For a track with no undulation, built on the Dutch plains of Drenthe, Assen is a track and a challenge like no other. First opened 100 years ago this year, the track has undergone many versions, with the most recent holding a place on the MotoGP schedule since 2010.

It stands at 2.822 miles and holds 18 unique and challenging corners, and with a capacity of over 110,000, it holds an atmosphere and a MotoGP race like no other year upon year.

A unique feature of Assen is the lack of real straights; with fast corners such as Ruskenhoek and Ramshoek punctuating the racetrack, making overtaking often very risky, yet providing an entertaining watch for fans. The track also houses some of MotoGP’s most iconic corner names; from the slow, awkward and tight Strubben to the drama-laden last chicane of Geert Timmer Bocht; a world away from the wide, sweeping bends of Mugello just a week ago.

Another unique feature of Assen doesn’t actually lie on the racetrack, but above. Weather often has a part to play at the Dutch TT; with World SBK even experiencing snow at one of their respective races! Yet, hail, rain, thunderstorms, and if you're lucky, a bit of sun, are never off the cards!

Past Results

It’s been Bagnaia in each of the past three seasons to take the crown. | Credit: MotoGP

As prior mentioned, statistics at Assen might as well be useless; with the track so steeped in unpredictability that even the Simpsons would have a hard time getting it right. 

Yet, in the past three seasons, it has been a relatively unchallenged Pecco Bagnaia show, with the Italian claiming three dominant wins successively (albeit, all in dry conditions). Prior to that however, there were five different winners in five editions; with five current MotoGP riders all having tasted victory at the most famed venue of them all; including PRAMAC’s Jack Miller, who claimed his inaugural victory here in 2016 onboard a LCR Honda bike. 

The 2018 edition was an instant classic! | Credit: MotoGP

Assen has also played home to the accredited ‘most entertaining race in MotoGP history’; with the 2018 edition. The race saw Marc Márquez coming out on top after tens of changes for the lead; and the top 15 separated by just 16.043 seconds; the closest ever in MotoGP.

And similarly to Mugello, albeit in totally different contexts, the last lap if often oh so exciting here at Assen; with the Geert Timmer Bocht chicane often providing incredible (and controversial) finishes right to the line; whether that be for the lead, or even for the lower points positions. Oh, and I fully recommend watching Moto3 here; if you want a little bit of pandemonium. 

Key Notices

Espagaró will race in place of Luca Marini at the track he got seriously injured at just last year. | Credit: MotoGP

Following Nakagami’s relatively impressing performance after replacing Luca Marini in Mugello, this weekend, it is Spanish veteran Aleix Espagaró who gets the pleasure of riding the Honda around Assen in place of the Spaniard.

Still, Lorenzo Savadori will stand in for Jorge Martín, whose return seems imminent; albeit seemingly never. With contract and injury woes both circulating, rumours will soon be perpetuating through the paddock as to whether the champion will ever get to complete a race on the Aprilia bike. 

In a special livery, Marc led his brother home in a scintillating Italian Grand Prix. | Credit: MotoGP

Márquez’s lead now stands at a whopping 40 points over his brother, Álex Márquez. Bagnaia, after his initially hopeful yet lacklustre home weekend, now sits a further 70 points behind Álex, languishing in third. At a track he has obliterated in past years, surely this is his chance to repeat the feat of 2022, and miraculously claw back his championship aspirations. 

As we edge closer towards the halfway point of the season, LCR’s Thai rider Somkiat Chantra remains the only rider, excluding Martín, to remain pointless in 2025. After coming close with a P16 finish in Aragon, if he wants to keep his seat for 2026, he will have to perform in the upcoming races amidst contract chaos up and down the grid. 

Who will be crowned ‘King of Assen?’ | Credit: MotoGP

With a crowd surplus of 100,000 expected for the raceday alone, Assen never fails to turn up the heat and place riders and teams alike under supreme pressure to deliver the victory they all want to have on their repertoires. The Dutch TT. Can Bagnaia end his agonising 2025 run of form at the most perfect time? Or will Marc Márquez do what he does best, and annihilate the hopes of anyone else and claim his first win in the Netherlands since 2018?

Or perhaps Assen’s magic will have something to say, and maybe, like Le Mans or Jerez, the 2025 season will be rewarded with yet another fairytale storyline.

The race starts at 1pm BST (And with a chance of rain for Saturday, I wouldn’t want to miss the sprint either!)