MotoGP is roaring straight back into action this weekend, wasting no time as the paddock rolls into the legendary TT Circuit Assen for the Motul Grand Prix of the Netherlands. With the season momentum building, and the championship stake rising across the classes, there’s plenty to catch up on – and even more to look forward to. Dive in for a recap of the last round and to get to grips with what you need to know ahead of lights out in Assen.
The 2024 Motul Grand Prix of the Netherlands
The Dutch TT in 2024 saw non-stop action across the three classes. With penalties, teammate battles, and home heartbreak, viewers were given a weekend not to forget at the iconic circuit.
Home Heartache On The Final Lap In Moto3
In Moto3, it was home heartbreak for Dutch rider Collin Veijer as he battled with Quadrant backed Iván Ortolá. Ortolá took the lead early, overtaking polesitter Ángel Piqueras at the start. He was unable to keep the lead, conceding to Veijer on Lap 11. Veijer was looking to be the first Dutch winner at his home track since Hans Spann in 1989, but despite creating a gap, Ortolá caught back up. The pair posed for a photo finish as Ortolá took the lead and won by a miniscule 0.012 seconds.
But it wasn’t just a fight for first, with riders battling all across the field. Championship leader David Alonso started 13th and although he had to concede a position for passing under yellows, he had a tight, full contact battle for the final podium position with David Muñoz – who ultimately won out.
Moto3 was merely the start of the action though, with Moto2 and MotoGP providing even more.
MT Helmet MSI VS Aldeguer In Moto2
Ai Ogura and Fermín Aldeguer spent the race battling for the win, but it was an unfortunate track limits penalty for Aldeguer which cost him the top spot. Aldeguer was given a long lap penalty, having to go the longer route through Turns 3 and 4. It cost him the lead, dropping to third behind the battling MT Helmet MSI teammates of Ogura and Sergio García. Whilst championship leader García was fending off Aldeguer, he faced his tyres going past their peak performance. Aldeguer capitalised on this and took 2nd with 3 laps remaining.
Somkiat Chantra and Tony Arbolino both showed renewed confidence in the race. Chantra stormed through the pack to finish 5th despite his poor starting position of 17th. Arbolino finished 6th overall, having started 7th. With a poor showing in the previous races, Arbolino found himself down in 13th in the championship – far lower than his championship worthy 2023 season. This race showed glimmers of his former self and was the start of a stronger run of races.
Unbeatable Bagnaia In MotoGP
Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia was unbeatable in MotoGP, leading every session. Championship leader Jorge Martín didn’t make it easy for Bagnaia, finishing second to him in both races.
Crashes plagued the sprint race, with Marc Márquez, Lorenzo Savadori, and Aleix Esparagó all crashing out of the race. Repsol Honda rider Luca Marini suffered an engine failure and was the fourth rider not to finish the race. Álex Márquez and Raul Fernandez both gained long lap penalties due to track limits.
The main race was no less eventful; seeing Bagnaia continue his dominance to win from Martín by a massive 3.676 seconds. Martín started the race with a 3-place grid drop – gaining this penalty for riding slow in Q2 – but he got a fantastic start, regaining those places immediately and charging after the flying Bagnaia. This undeniably brilliant weekend saw Bagnaia close the championship gap to Martín to just 10 points.
In contrast, M. Márquez continued to have a less than ideal weekend. After crashing twice the day before, he was looking at a P4 finish – until he was in violation of the new tyre pressure rule. Unlike years past, 2024 saw an amendment to the rule, stating riders had to stay above the minimum tyre pressure of 1.8 BAR for 60% of the race. Márquez did not meet this requirement and received a 16 second time penalty, falling to P11.
After their crashes in the sprint, Esparagó and Savadori withdrew from the main race, both having injuries. Álex Rins, Pedro Acosta, Joan Mir, and Marco Bezzecchi all failed to finish the race.
Mugello to Assen
Last week in Mugello saw a maiden pole in Moto3, penalties plaguing Moto2, and Márquez denying home glory for teammate Bagnaia in MotoGP.
Coming into the 2025 Dutch TT all is to play for across the classes with riders like José Antonio Rueda, Manuel González, and Marc Márquez looking to extend their championship leads whilst the others look to deny them victory.
2025 Motul Grand Prix of The Netherlands: What To Expect
The 2024 Motul Grand Prix of the Netherlands was a weekend to remember, setting high hopes for this year. Home hero Veijer is competing in Moto2 and looking to recover what he lost last time out. He is joined by Zonta Van Den Goorbergh who also hopes to have glory at his home race. Both Á. Márquez and Bagnaia are fueled to close the gap to brother and teammate M. Márquez, but can they do it?
The TT Circuit Assen is the longest serving circuit on the MotoGP calendar, debuting in 1955. A race has been held here every year with the exception of 2020. The track itself is 4.54 Km (2.82 miles) long and features narrow, yet rapid, direction changes. Lined with grass banks and grandstands, the Grand Prix of the Netherlands is a rider and fan favourite, known for a festive and extravagant atmosphere.
The circuit sees a total of 18 corners, 12 right and 6 left, and holds races for a variety of series. Referred to as the “Cathedral of Speed” by racing fans, the mix of flat-out and slow corners invites on track action and many overtaking opportunities.
Race Distance By Category
- Moto3: 90.84 Km (56.45 miles) over 20 laps.
- Moto2: 99.92 Km (62.09 miles) over 22 laps.
- MotoGP Sprint: 59.04 Km (36.69 miles) over 13 laps.
- MotoGP Main Race: 118.09 Km (73.38 miles) over 26 laps.
Schedule
The schedule for the weekend is as follows, all times are in CEST.
Friday
- Moto3: Free Practice 1: 09:00 – 09:35
- Moto2: Free Practice 1: 09:50 – 10:35
- MotoGP: Free Practice 1: 10:45 – 11:30
- Moto3: Practice: 13:15 – 13:50
- Moto2: Practice: 14:05 – 14:45
- MotoGP: Practice: 15:00 – 16:00
Saturday
- Moto3: Free Practice 2: 08:40 – 09:10
- Moto2: Free Practice 2: 09:25 – 09:55
- MotoGP: Free Practice 2: 10:10 – 10:40
- MotoGP: Qualifying 1: 10:50 – 11:05
- MotoGP: Qualifying 2: 11:15 – 11:30
- Moto3: Qualifying 1: 12:50 – 13:05
- Moto3: Qualifying 2: 13:15 – 13:30
- Moto2: Qualifying 1: 13:45 – 14:00
- Moto2: Qualifying 2: 14:10 – 14:25
- MotoGP: Tissot Sprint: 15:00
Sunday
- MotoGP: Warm Up: 09:40 – 09:50
- Moto3: Race: 11:00
- Moto2: Race: 12:15
- MotoGP: Grand Prix: 14:00