Marco Bezzecchi Tops Assen Practice as Marquez Crashes

Marco Bezzecchi returned to action at the 2026 Dutch MotoGP with a strong response by topping Friday Practice at TT Circuit Assen.

The Aprilia Racing rider delivered an important statement after missing the Czech Grand Prix through suspension. Bezzecchi ended the session ahead of Francesco Bagnaia, while his team-mate and closest championship rival, Jorge Martin, also featured inside the leading group.

Aprilia showed strong depth at Assen through Bezzecchi, Martin and the Trackhouse pair of Ai Ogura and Raul Fernandez. Their combination of single-lap pace and early-session consistency placed the Noale manufacturer in a competitive position before the next sessions.

Baca JugaKimi Antonelli Pimpin FP1 Austria, Mercedes Dominan

Marc Marquez lost valuable running after crashing at the final chicane midway through the session. The Ducati Lenovo Team rider had also joined Bagnaia in trying new rear aero, but the incident limited his evaluation programme.

The session also formed part of MotoGP's first race weekend since the early ban on front holeshot devices came into force. A revised grid format with wider row spacing will only be introduced from Sachsenring, making Assen an important transition point in the 2026 technical phase.

With the full Practice results already available through the database, attention now turns to qualifying and the Sprint. Bezzecchi needs a clean weekend to keep pressure at the top of the standings, while Marquez must recover momentum after losing track time on Friday.