The eighth round of 20 in this season’s MotoGP championship takes riders to the “Cathedral of Speed” in Assen, in the Netherlands, for what should be a thrilling weekend.
After the Ducati Lenovo Team’s extraordinary one-two finish at their home Italian round at Mugello three weeks ago, the MotoGP World Championship resumes in the Netherlands, with the event being hosted for the 75th time by the TT Circuit Assen.
It is an historic track that has been on the calendar since 1949, the inaugural year of the World Championship, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.
With a string of victories in the last GPs held in Barcelona and Mugello, Italy’s defending world champion Francesco Bagnaia – currently second in the 2024 championship standings behind fellow Ducati star Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing), of Spain – arrives at the Cathedral of Speed as a formidable favourite.
His track record includes clinching the Dutch GP in both 2022 and 2023, therefore inspiring hope for another thrilling performance.
Bagnaia’s team-mate Enea Bastianini confidently enters Assen, buoyed by his strong performance at Mugello, where he secured second place with an overtaking manoeuvre on the final lap.
Following the first seven rounds of the season, the Rimini rider holds the fourth position in the overall standings, aiming to build on his consistent form.
Meanwhile, Spain’s multi-time former MotoGP champion Marc Marquez (Team Gresini Racing Ducati), currently third in the standings, behind Martin and Bagnaia, will be looking to continue his high-speed momentum after finishing a fighting fourth at Mugello.
Watch the racing in New Zealand, live or on demand on ThreeNow television, sponsored by Suzuki NZ.
© Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
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Leading MotoGP World Championship standings after round 7:
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