MotoGP Preview: Netherlands Grand Prix
- Silvia Cojocaru
- Jun 25
- 3 min read
Marc Márquez managed to return to his dominant form we’ve come to expect from the reigning world champion. After Marco Bezzecchi received a race ban and crashed in the sprint, the fight for the title is closer than ever before. Who will lead coming out of the Netherlands?
Here is everything you need to know to prepare for this week’s spectacle!
This week’s track: TT Circuit Assen
The longest-standing circuit on the current calendar, TT Circuit Assen has been hosting races since 1949. It was originally built in 1925 as a public road circuit, in 1955 it became a permanent track and a regular stop for both motorcycle and car races.
With a length of 4.555 km (2.830 miles) and 18 corners, there’s a reason why this track is also known as “The Cathedral of Speed”. Fast-sweeping sections mixed with highly technical areas will force the riders to make quick decisions under pressure in order to gain an advantage.
However, one of the most challenging sections is actually the slowest on track. The Strubben Hairpin (Turn 5), where the circuit becomes slightly narrower and riders go through a tight hairpin is a key overtaking point to watch this weekend.
Additionally, keep an eye on the final section, the Geert Timmer Chicane (Turns 16 & 17), as the heavy braking zone is one of the best overtaking spots on the circuit.
Past results
Last year, the Dutch weekend gave fans plenty to celebrate. At MotoGP’s 100th visit to the circuit, Marc Márquez managed to pull off another dominant win despite struggling in qualifying. This victory brought him his 68th premier class win, equaling Giacomo Agostini's record.
Aprilia’s Bezzecchi was the other star of the weekend, holding off the Ducati of Francesco Bagnaia and finishing only 0.653s from Márquez.
Fabio Quartararo had a great start to his weekend after he managed to qualify on pole, but ultimately Yamaha’s drawbacks started to show in the race and the Frenchman only finished in P10.
A circuit with such a rich motorsport heritage has a lot of memorable races to look back on. From Valentino Rossi’s and Márquez’s titanic clash back in 2015 to Jack Miller's first premier class win in the rain in 2016, TT Circuit Assen is sure to provide some of the most exciting moments of the season.
Key talking points
Probably the most discussed headline after the Czech Grand Prix is concerning Bezzecchi.
The Italian crashed out of the sprint race and was seen hitting a marshal who was attempting to pick up his bike. This aggressive behaviour got him disqualified from Sunday's race. Aprilia appealed the decision but the race ban was final.
Luckily for Bezzecchi, Jorge Martín, the current championship runner-up, had to serve a double long-lap penalty during the race. The Spaniard struggled to score points and remained behind his teammate in the standings.
However, now only 12 points clear of Martín and with the Ducatis on the rise, could this be the dreaded turning point in Bezzecchi's near perfect 2026 campaign?
With both Aprilias struggling, it was time for Márquez and Bagnaia to show their abilities. The Italian claimed a dominant win in the sprint and both of them battled for glory in the race.
However, it would be the Aprilia of Ai Ogura that would split the two Ducatis on the podium, proving that their bike is still one of the strongest on the grid.
Going into this week's race it seems to be a battle of the Italian manufacturers: who will be able to pull together and claim important points before July, the Ducatis or the Aprilias?
Márquez also announced that he will continue his partnership with Ducati until 2028, a sign that the reigning world champion is still feeling ready to race and compete at the highest level. Only 40 points off of Bezzecchi, could Marc Márquez claim his 10th world title in 2026?
Tune in to the Netherlands Grand Prix this Sunday, 28th June 2026, from 14:00 track time (12.00 GMT) to find the answers to all these questions and more!
Edited by Rohan Brown
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