Yamaha has officially signed reigning champion Jorge Martin and rising star Ai Ogura as factory riders for 2027-2028, replacing Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins. Fresh off his maiden MotoGP victory at the 2026 Dutch GP (Japan’s first win in 22 years), Ogura impressed with a unique riding style. Martin, battling injuries but competitive, teams up for a bold new lineup. Exciting times ahead!
Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola praised Trackhouse’s remarkable Assen weekend after the satellite team scored a sprint 1-2 on Saturday followed by Ogura’s maiden grand prix win on Sunday. Rivola said that’s enough, reflecting the scale of what the Trackhouse pairing of Fernandez and Ogura achieved against the factory Aprilia squad on identical machinery across the weekend.
Marco Bezzecchi was hospitalised after crashing out of the Dutch Grand Prix, but has been cleared of any serious injuries. He crashed at the high speed Turn 15 on just the second lap while fighting Marquez for third. It was his third winless Sunday in a row, and he lost the championship lead to his own teammate Martin as a result.
Marc Marquez ran wide through the final chicane while trying to defend fourth from Fabio di Giannantonio, also allowing brother Alex to pass. Both riders were penalised after the flag. Marquez kept his response diplomatic, saying he accepts it and they keep quiet, in a nod to old school paddock etiquette.
Jorge Martin takes over the MotoGP title lead for the first time since COTA after third place at Assen combined with a DNF for teammate Marco Bezzecchi. Fabio di Giannantonio and first time winner Ai Ogura are now also within 25 points of the title lead. Martin had taken pole and led much of the race before the Trackhouse Aprilias came through in the closing stages.
Ai Ogura is a MotoGP race winner after clinching victory at the Dutch Grand Prix in an Aprilia 1-2-3, fending off teammate Raul Fernandez and Aprilia’s Jorge Martin to grab his first premier class win. Ogura survived a scare when his rear ride-height device became temporarily stuck before passing Fernandez for the lead with nine laps to go, becoming Japan’s first premier-class winner since Makoto Tamada in 2004.
Marco Bezzecchi crashed out at high speed in the opening laps and threw away his championship lead in the process. The crash happened at Turn 15. He was conscious and seen sitting next to the wall surrounded by marshals before being taken to the medical centre for checks. It continued a streak of three straight races without a single point for the championship leader.
Marc Marquez admitted he is in safe mode at Assen after a subdued sixth place finish in Saturday’s MotoGP Sprint, having said on Friday he dislikes the circuit due to its risk level. He crossed the line seventh before being promoted to sixth when Bagnaia was penalised for exceeding track limits. He now trails Bezzecchi by 42 points after cutting the gap from 102 over the previous four races.
Marc Marquez had his worst qualifying result of 2026 with seventh place at Assen. The eight time champion could not match the flying Aprilias despite strong practice form. Jorge Martin took pole ahead of an all Aprilia top four. Marquez will need a strong start in the Sprint to limit damage in the championship battle against Bezzecchi and Martin.
Aprilia achieved a rare top four qualifying lockout at Assen with Jorge Martin on pole. The factory bikes and satellite machines showed unmatched one lap pace at the Cathedral of Speed. Martin looked sharp on his return to the front row while championship leader Marco Bezzecchi lines up third. Ducati riders struggled to match the Aprilia speed with Marc Marquez starting seventh.