MotoGP Dutch TT Preview, Session Times and Where to Watch?
MotoGP returns to Assen for the Dutch TT this weekend, with the championship battle between Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin continuing after a lengthy break between Grands Prix. Here is everything you need to know going into the Dutch TT – a Preview, Session Times and Where to Watch?
A lot of things have changed in the three weeks since the Italian Grand Prix in Mugello. Martin and Marco Bezzecchi have been announced to join Aprilia for the 2025 season, and Marc Marquez will be joining the Factory Ducati team next season, replacing Enea Bastianini, who joins Red Bull KTM Tech3 alongside Maverick Vinales, who leaves Aprilia.
With a lot of speculation that Martin’s Pramac Ducati Desmosedici GP24 will now see fewer developments, given that the Spaniard will be switching to a different manufacturer next year, it is expected that despite Martin leading the championship, Pecco Bagnaia will be given more resources in an attempt to overturn his current 18-point deficit and take another championship victory with Ducati.
The Circuit
18 corners link together to create the technical and fast circuit, with 12 right-hand corners and six to the left, ambidextrous riders often favour the Assen circuit, which has a strong combination of corners that require some low lean angles on both their left and right sides.
The overtaking hotspots will most likely be at Turn 1, the medium-speed right-hander follows on from the home straight, allowing riders to level one another on the brakes and make a pass up the inside of another rider. This flows through to the long double right-hander of Turns 3 and 4, before a sharp flick of the bike over to Turn 5’s tight left-hander.
Riders have to be incredibly patient on the throttle for Turn 4, as the exit of the corner affects their long run through the flat-out kinks at Turns 6 and 7, before the tough chicane at Turns 8 and 9, corners that have caught many riders out, like Valentino Rossi, who would unfortunately end his final race at Assen in the gravel on the exit of Turn 9.
These corners provide the best opportunities for overtaking, with the rest of the circuit also in play, but slightly more difficult to make a pass at. The final corners have seen many historic moments, with riders attempting to make passes on the inside, particularly on the final lap. Marc Marquez would attempt to make his way past Valentino Rossi in the closing stages of the 2015 Dutch TT, the pair making contact as Rossi was forced wide through the chicane, and brought his Yamaha home to victory.
Martin vs Bagnaia
With the championship gap between the pair at just 18 points, and Bagnaia currently on a hot streak, winning the last couple of races, the championship is well and truly in full swing as we approach the summer break. However, as Martin will be switching manufacturers next season, developments on his Pramac Ducati are expected to stop, whilst Bagnaia’s Factory-spec Ducati will continue to receive updates and upgrades.
This won’t inherently mean that Bagnaia will automatically have a faster bike, as the updates to the Ducati machinery may destabilise their balance and set up at some Grands Prix. On paper, however, it does appear that Martin is fighting an uphill battle, despite currently leading the championship.
Acosta’s Youngest Winner Hopes
At 20 years of age, Pedro Acosta is still in the hunt to become the youngest MotoGP premier class race winner. Currently, the record belongs to Marc Marquez, who won the U.S Grand Prix back in 2013, at 20 years and 63 days old.
Aboard the Red Bull GasGas KTM this year, Acosta has shown such strong potential. Acosta was the highest finisher not on a Ducati at the Italian Grand Prix in Mugello last time out, and has already achieved several podiums across both the main Grand Prix and Sprint races.
Acosta will be 20 years and 36 days old on Sunday, with time running out to potentially set a new record. However, whilst Acosta finished behind the Ducati’s at Mugello, due to the circuit largely being a power-dependent track, there is a real possibility at Assen, a circuit that is a bit more technical, requiring the bike to operate as smooth as possible and turn in when the rider wants the bike to hit the apex. This would certainly be a track that gives Acosta a great chance at victory, and with his recent performances, it could prove to be the biggest news story to come out of the weekend.
Marc Marquez Chases his first victory with a Ducati
With the announcement last week that 8-time World Champion, Marc Marquez, would be joining the Factory Ducati squad for 2025, Marquez is likely looking to immediately silence those who are claiming that Jorge Martin deserved the seat more.
Marquez has been close this season so far on several occasions, and with Marquez’ last victory at Assen being in 2018, when he started from pole position, he will be looking to reclaim his winning status, with his last victory in MotoGP being in 2021.
As previously mentioned regarding KTM, this circuit is less about power and more about precision. Marquez is an eight-time champion for a good reason and was known for finding the limits of his Honda before his move to Gresini Ducati this season. Marquez is almost certainly going to be one of the main contenders this weekend.
Session Times – Local Dutch Time: UK -1
Friday
Free Practice 1: 10:45am – 11:30am
Free Practice: 15:00pm – 16:00pm
Saturday
Free Practice 2: 10:10am – 10:40am
Qualifying 1: 10:50am – 11:05am
Qualifying 2: 11:15am – 11:30am
Sprint Race: 15:00pm
Sunday
Warm-Up: 09:40am – 09:50am
Grand Prix: 14:00pm
Where to Watch?
UK viewers can watch all the racing action on TNT Sports, which is also available on Discovery Plus.
U.S viewers will be able to watch on truTV via TNT Sports, as well as the action being streamed on Max.
For European viewers, ServusTV and MotoGP Videopass as well as Ziggo Sport and Sportklub for other regions.
