After an unstoppable performance in the Tissot Sprint, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) stormed to victory on Saturday and will be hoping to repeat his success on Sunday. However, with Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) receiving a three-place grid penalty – can anyone put a stop to Bagnaia’s reign? Many records are up for grabs on Sunday including the chance for Bagnaia to replicate the success of Mick Doohan at the iconic circuit. So make sure you have a look at 10 amazing facts that you must know ahead of Sunday.
1. Reigning Champion, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) has qualified on pole for the first time since Malaysia last year. On Sunday, he will be aiming to take his third successive win at the Dutch TT, becoming the first rider to do so in the premier class since Mick Doohan won five in a row from 1994 to 1998. It would also be his third Grand Prix win in a row, something no rider has done since Bagnaia himself in 2022 when he won four in a row – the first of which came here at Assen. This is also the only circuit where he’s won in every class, and the track where he took his maiden win in Moto3™.
2. Championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) qualified in second position before receiving a three-place grid penalty for riding slowly on the racing line in Q2. On Sunday, he will be to take his eighth MotoGP™ win and first in the premier class at Assen.
3. Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) has qualified third for his fifth top three in qualifying so far this season. He will now aim to take his 11th MotoGP™ GP win, and his second in the premier class at Assen after winning in 2019 with Yamaha.
4. Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) has qualified fourth for his best qualifying result since he qualified third in Qatar last year. He will now aim to add to his premier class podium collection: two with Honda and two with Ducati so far.
5. After passing through Q1, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) has qualified sixth for his best qualifying result in Assen in the class. He will now be aiming to take his second premier class win or third podium.
6. Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) has qualified seventh despite a crash in Q2. He also crashed out in the Sprint but will now be aiming to win for the first time since Emilia-Romagna 2021 (980 days ago). It would be his first Grand Prix win with Ducati and Gresini.
7. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) has qualified ninth for his second-best qualifying result so far this year after he qualified fourth in Qatar, Spain and Catalunya. He will now be aiming to stand on the podium for the second time so far this year along with Qatar (P2), or to win for the first time since Austria in 2021.
8. Aprilia and KTM/GASGAS riders will be aiming to give their manufacturer(s) their first win at Assen. So far, the best Aprilia result here is P3, while the best for KTM/GASGAS is P4.
9. After passing through Q1, rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) qualified 10th equalling his worst qualifying result in MotoGP™ from Spain. Aged 20 years and 36 days old on Sunday, he will aim to become the youngest premier class winner, taking the record away from Marc Marquez (20 years and 63 days old in Austin in 2013). This is his penultimate chance to take the record.
10. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) has qualified 13th and he will now be aiming to take his first GP podium since Indonesia last year (P3).
Will we see Bagnaia repeat Doohan’s success at Assen? Make sure you tune in at 14:00 local time (UTC +2) to find out!