Double world champion Francesco Bagnaia is expected to tighten the screws on championship leader Jorge Martin at this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix in Assen, as MotoGP enters the second half of the season.
Martin, who will move from a satellite Ducati squad to Aprilia next year, has seen his advantage dwindle to only 18 points over “Pecco” Bagnaia, whose bid for a third consecutive title is gaining traction.
Bagnaia won back-to-back races in Catalunya and his home circuit Mugello, and the Ducati factory team rider returns this weekend at “The Cathedral” in Assen, one of the Italian racer’s favorite tracks.
Bagnaia won in Assen in 2022 and 2023, becoming the first to do so since his Italian compatriot and coach Valentino Rossi won back-to-back here in 2004-05.
“I love this track, this crowd,” Bagnaia, 27, has stated of the famed circuit and atmosphere at Assen, which he claims he has tattooed on his arm.
Waiting in the wings is a resurgent Marc Marquez, who will join Bagnaia at the Ducati Lenovo team next year, leaving Gresini Ducati after a long stint with Honda last year.
The veteran Catalan, who has previously been plagued by crashes and injuries, is regaining form and was awarded a spot next to Bagnaia for next year.
He will undoubtedly be motivated after signing a deal with Ducati to join Bagnaia in what many have dubbed Ducati Lenovo’s “dream team” for the 2025 season.
But Marquez will have some proving to do: he hasn’t won a race since October 2021 and is 35 points behind leader Martin, a gap he’ll be eager to close.
Martin, commonly known as the “Martinator”, signed a “multi-year contract” with Aprilia earlier this month for the 2025 season.
The Aprilia ride became vacant after veteran Spanish rider Aleix Espargaro announced his retirement at the end of the season.
Espargaro will make his final appearance at Assen, where he debuted as a reserve rider for the Balatonring team in 2009.
Other riders, particularly South African Brad Binder, would like to make a good showing in Assen after being pushed off the podium last year due to a penalty for exceeding track restrictions.