Marco Bezzecchi topped the practice session for the 2026 Dutch MotoGP at the Assen Circuit, clocking a fastest lap of 1 minute 31.123 seconds. The session, held on Friday (June 19), saw high-intensity competition and multiple crashes, including incidents involving Jorge Martin and Alex Marquez that triggered a red flag in the closing minutes.
Who dominated the Assen practice session?
Aprilia Racing’s Marco Bezzecchi secured the top spot on the leaderboard by setting a pace of 1:31.123 during the final 10 minutes of the session. According to official timing data from the event, Bezzecchi’s performance held off late charges from Raul Fernandez and Pedro Acosta, who finished second and third, respectively.
How did crashes impact the practice results?
The practice session was punctuated by several high-speed incidents, most notably in the final four minutes. Jorge Martin, who had previously occupied the top position, crashed at turn 12. Shortly after, Alex Marquez—who had already suffered an earlier fall at turn five—crashed at turn 11. These incidents forced race officials to display a red flag, halting the session for approximately five minutes. The interruption limited the remaining track time to just three minutes, preventing riders from improving their times further.
What are the performance trends for the 2026 season?
The 2026 practice results suggest a competitive shift among manufacturers. While Bezzecchi led on the Aprilia, riders like Raul Fernandez and Ai Ogura also demonstrated significant pace on similar equipment. In contrast, Ducati’s factory riders, including Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez, finished fifth and sixth respectively.
Comparison: Top 3 Practice Performers
| Rider | Team | Gap |
|---|---|---|
| Marco Bezzecchi | Aprilia | – |
| Raul Fernandez | Trackhouse Aprilia | +0.177s |
| Pedro Acosta | Red Bull KTM | +0.187s |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the fastest rider in the Dutch MotoGP practice?
Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia Racing set the fastest time with a 1:31.123 lap.
Why was the practice session stopped?
The session was red-flagged due to consecutive crashes involving Jorge Martin and Alex Marquez in the final minutes.
Where did Marc Marquez finish?
Marc Marquez finished the practice session in sixth place, trailing the leader by 0.323 seconds.
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