Assen Dutch TT: front‑holeshot ban, Márquez safety worries, Bezzecchi leads FP1

The TT Circuit Assen hosted the tenth round of the 2026 MotoGP season. The front‑holeshot device that lowers the front wheel at the start was banned immediately for safety reasons, while the rear‑holeshot system remains allowed until 2027. Marc Márquez warned that “from the start to the first corner it is much more dangerous” without the front device, and added that his aim in Assen was simply “to survive”. Márquez also reported a small fall in the first free‑practice session and later finished sixth after a brief crash at the final chicane.

In practice, Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi set the fastest time in FP1 (1:31.123) and topped the subsequent session, putting Aprilia at the head of the riders’ championship. He was followed by Raúl Fernández and Pedro Acosta, with Francesco Bagnaia fifth and Márquez sixth. The session saw several red‑flag incidents, including crashes by Alex Márquez and Fermín Aldeguer, the latter being taken to hospital for checks. Bezzecchi, returning from a race‑suspension in Brno, said he “loves the layout” and is eager to rebuild his form.

The weekend also featured an increased grid‑spacing rule for the next race in Germany and continued dominance by Ducati, which has not lost a Dutch TT since 2019. Aprilia leads the constructors’ standings, but Márquez’s recent wins in Brno have narrowed the gap.

Overall, the event combined technical regulation changes, safety concerns from the reigning champion, and a strong performance by the championship leader Bezzecchi.