Four Aprilias finished in the top six while Marc Marquez crashed out and threw chaos into the inaugural MotoGP session at Assen.
The Dutch Grand Prix at Assen began with a spectacular display of dominance from Aprilia, who placed four of the six fastest bikes in Friday’s opening practice, with Marco Bezzecchi clocking a season’s best of 1:32.311. Ducati’s Peco Bagnaia made a late charge, but his 1:32.409 was not enough to steal the spotlight, while Jorge Martin took third for Aprilia. But the play of the day belonged to Marc Marquez, who hit the deck in spectacular fashion and saw his session go up in smoke.
Bezzecchi’s benchmark lap came in blistering 31-degree heat, setting the tone for a day when Aprilia’s technical package seemed untouched on the famous TT circuit. Bagnaia, undeterred by the early technical scare that forced him to change bikes, returned to contention after the death. George Martin, driving the second factory Aprilia, was right in the mix, underscoring Aprilia’s grip on Assen’s undulating corners. Satellite trackhouse Aprilias made their own statement, with Ai Ogura and Raul Fernandez – recently recovered from appendicitis – finishing fifth and sixth. Fabio Di Giannantonio’s tireless consistency earned him fourth place, giving the Italian another cap hit in 2024.
In the midst of Aprilia’s attack, Joan Mir continued his great form, finishing seventh and once again proving his resilience in an increasingly competitive grid. Fermin Aldeguer, who had arrived in Assen receiving treatment for an illness, battled adverse conditions to post the fastest lap and finish eighth. Maverick Vinales, still battling the after-effects of last year’s shoulder injury, put KTM into the top ten with a ninth-place finish – an echo of the form he showed before his accident in 2023.
However, the real blow of the session came with 19 minutes left on the clock. Six-time world champion Marc Marquez lost control at the infamous Turn 16 chicane and crashed. The Ducati star’s bike slid into the gravel, coming to a rest in an awkward position between turns 17 and 18, forcing Marquez to wait a frustrating eight minutes before getting his machine back on track. He was left stranded at the side of the track, unable to get his Ducati back to the pits until marshals allowed him in. Back in the garage, Márquez switched to his second bike, fitted with used medium tires – a tough test that could be even more complicated next year if MotoGP implements new training session rules that limit riders to a single bike.
Despite the setback, Marquez rejoined with seven minutes remaining and completed the session in the tenth minute. He overtook rookie sensation Pedro Acosta, who had failed to finish in the top ten for the first time in several weeks, and Dio Moreira, who was the victim of his own accident. Alex Marquez continues to struggle after recovering from horrific Barcelona crash.
The yard was buzzing. “It was a difficult session, but I’m fine,” Marc Marquez said after the fall, and made no excuses. Bagnaia was more focused: “We had some problems in the beginning, but I’m happy with the momentum we got in the end.” Meanwhile, Fernandez, back from surgery, declared, “Assen fits the Aprilia perfectly. I felt strong from the first lap.”
This opening session set the stage for the rest of the Dutch weekend. Aprilia’s dominance at both factory and satellite signals a serious threat to the MotoGP establishment, while uncertainty about the technical regulations for next year adds a new layer of intrigue. Can Marquez bounce back from his accident, or will Aprilia continue to rewrite the script at Assen? With temperatures rising and tensions rising even higher, the Dutch TT is set for an explosive showdown.
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