Marco Bezzecchi led the MotoGP practice in Assen, clocking 1:31.123. The session saw multiple crashes, including Álex Márquez and Jorge Martín. Technical changes and penalties added tension ahead of the Dutch GP.
Marco Bezzecchi delivered the standout performance in the MotoGP practice session at Assen, setting the fastest lap with a time of 1:31.123. The session was marked by a series of incidents, including a red flag after Álex Márquez suffered a high side at turn eleven, landing on his recently operated right shoulder. Márquez was conscious but requested not to be touched on his right side, casting doubt on his participation for the remainder of the weekend.
Jorge Martín also crashed at turn twelve, though he escaped injury and attempted to recover his Aprilia, ultimately unable to rejoin. Fermín Aldeguer experienced a heavy fall at turn eleven and was transported to the medical center, with his team confirming he would not return to the track during this session. Despite the setback, Aldeguer remained within the top ten times.
Raúl Fernández secured second place for Aprilia, while Pedro Acosta finished third. Marc Márquez, after making adjustments to his Ducati's suspension, managed to climb to fourth but continued to seek improvements. Technical issues also affected Pecco Bagnaia, who was forced to switch to his second bike after problems with the first, losing valuable track time.
The session was further complicated by the recent ban on height devices during race starts, prompting teams to practice new launch techniques. This change led to more frequent wheelies, as the front of the bikes now sits higher, altering the center of gravity. Bezzecchi received a €2,000 fine for improper execution of a practice start, highlighting the increased scrutiny on procedures this weekend.
Throughout the day, the leaderboard shifted repeatedly. Early on, Pedro Acosta and Fabio Di Giannantonio traded fastest laps, with Marc Márquez briefly topping the timesheets before his crash at turn sixteen. The official Aprilia riders, Jorge Martín and Marco Bezzecchi, consistently challenged for the lead, while Bagnaia, recently confirmed to join Aprilia for four seasons, worked to regain pace after his technical issues.
As the session neared its conclusion, a mass return to the track followed the red flag, with most riders attempting a final push. However, no one managed to surpass Bezzecchi's benchmark. The top ten riders from this session will advance directly to Q2, intensifying the competition for qualifying positions.
This practice session comes amid a period of significant team changes and contract announcements in MotoGP. Marc Márquez recently extended his contract with Lenovo Ducati through 2028, while Ducati confirmed Pedro Acosta's move to the factory team for the next two years. These developments follow a wave of transfers triggered after the Brno test, as detailed in coverage of the Brno circuit's return to the MotoGP calendar.
Assen's historic circuit continues to challenge riders with its technical demands and unpredictable conditions. The Dutch GP remains a pivotal event in the MotoGP season, with practice results shaping the grid for both the sprint and main races. The next session will determine the final qualifying order, as teams and riders adapt to new technical regulations and recover from a day marked by crashes and rapid changes in fortune.
