MotoGP : Quartararo Fastest Friday Afternoon At Assen

Mathilde Gasnier

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June 27, 2025

MotoGP : Quartararo Fastest Friday Afternoon At Assen

Fabio Quartararo led MotoGP World Championship practice Friday afternoon at TT Assen Circuit, in the Netherlands. Riding his Monster Energy Yamaha YZR-M1 on spec Michelin tires, the 2021 MotoGP World Champion turned a lap time of 1:31.156 and led the 22-rider field.

Alex Marquez was the best of the rest with a 1:31.258 on his BK8 Gresini Ducati Desmosedici GP24.

Pedro Acosta was third at 1:31.349 on his Red Bull KTM Factory RC16.

Marco Bezzecchi finished the session fourth with a 1:31.352 on his Aprilia Racing RS-GP25.

Francesco Bagnaia, piloting his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP25, got fifth with a lap time of 1:31.410.

Classification practice motogp

More from a press release issued by Dorna:

Quartararo fastest as Marc Marquez endures tough Friday at the Cathedral. Yamaha lead Ducati and KTM so far in Assen, with the #93 suffering two big crashes on the opening day of action.

Fabio Quartararo’s (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) 1:31.156 has given the Frenchman and the Iwata factory Day 1 honours at the Motul Grand Prix of the Netherlands in what was a rather dramatic Friday at the office. Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), despite a crash in Practice, heads into Saturday as the second fastest rider, with Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) kicking off his weekend with a positive P3.

However, positive isn’t a word to describe Marc Marquez’s (Ducati Lenovo Team) day at the Cathedral of Speed. A huge crash in FP1 was followed by another rapid off at Turn 7 as drama unfolds for the MotoGP World Championship leader.

Tricky conditions ? It looked that way.

The first 30 minutes were dramatic to say the least. Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) had a huge crash at Turn 11 that resulted in the red flags being waved for a short period with just under 32 minutes to go, thankfully the Japanese rider was alright, but before that, a whole host of riders were down. Alex Marquez crashed at Turn 1, as teammate Fermin Aldeguer was then on the deck at Turn 7.

That same corner caught out Aleix Espargaro (Honda HRC Castrol), with the Geert Timmer chicane catching out both Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) and Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3). Turn 12 was another place we saw someone crash, and that someone was Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team).

The Chase for the top 10

Quartararo led the way as the MotoGP riders reemerged from pit lane, but that didn’t last long because Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and then Alex Marquez climbed to the summit with 25 minutes to go.

A Turn 8 crash for Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia Racing) saw more red flags bring a halt to proceedings before we then got the usual Friday afternoon time attacks underway. And who went P1? Marc Marquez.

However, teammate Bagnaia was the pacesetter with five minutes to go thanks to a 1:31.410 – 0.045s quicker than Marquez. Another Italian then rose to P1 and it was Bezzecchi, but Alex Marquez ensured the Aprilia star didn’t stay at the top for long.

Marc Marquez crashes again

Then, more drama for Marc Marquez. Turn 7 caught out the #93 as the front end of his factory Ducati washed away. Marquez was back up on his feet but likewise to his FP1 crash, the six-time MotoGP World Champion looked in a bit of discomfort.

The top 10 on Friday

Elsewhere, Quartararo gate-crashed the Ducati and Aprilia party to send himself and Yamaha to P1. And despite a few improvements on their final laps, that was all she wrote in the chase to be top dog on Friday at Assen.

Bezzecchi eventually slipped to P4, but that’s still a good day at the office for the Italian and Aprilia. Pecco ends Day 1 in P5, while a bruised Marc Marquez heads into Saturday as the sixth fastest – what does Saturday hold for the title chase frontrunner?

Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) was a late improver into P7, Viñales left it a tad late to grab P8, as Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Zarco sail into Q2 after the latter nudged out Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) right at the end of the session.

Coming up: Saturday in Assen

After a far from quiet Friday, what does Saturday’s qualifying and Tissot Sprint have in store – and how fit will Marc Marquez be after two crashes? We’ll find out soon enough.

MotoGP Dutch GP Practice results!

Moto2 : Salac Breaks Record At Assen

Mathilde Gasnier

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June 27, 2025

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Filip Salac led Moto2 World Championship practice Friday afternoon at TT Assen Circuit, in the Netherlands. Riding his ELF Marc VDS Boscoscuro on Pirelli control tires, the Czech rider lapped the 2.82-mile road course in 1:34.869, topping the field of 28 riders and breaking Fermin Aldeguer’s All-Time Lap Record of 1:35.269 from 2024.

Aron Canet was second-best with a time of 1:35.215 on his Fantic Racing Lino Sonego Kalex. Manuel Gonzalez did a third-fastest 1:35.304 on his LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex.

American Joe Roberts finished Friday afternoon’s practice session 6th with a best time of 1:35.556 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.

Classification moto2 practice

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Salac leads Moto2™ Practice at Assen with dramatic closing stages. The Czech rider didn’t put a foot wrong and is the favourite going into Saturday but the top two in the title race are right behind him.

After drama and delay in the morning, it was a smooth afternoon for the Moto2™ field at the TT Circuit Assen in the Netherlands as an all-important Practice session gave us the top 14 for Q2 and the big names who need to go via Q1. Late yellow flags and big names suffering problems may have headlined but it was Filip Salac (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) who bagged top spot by the close of action on Friday, setting a new lap record.

Continuing strong form from Mugello, Salac was strong throughout the session as he secured P1 by some 0.346s, a decent margin in his favour going into Saturday. Aron Canet (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) was the next rider up in P2, just ahead of Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP). Tony Arbolino (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) was fourth and looked good on Friday, whilst it was one of the best sessions of the year for 2024 Assen Moto3 winner Ivan Ortola (QJMOTOR – FRINSA – MSI), moving into Q2.

Jake Dixon’s (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) session was cut short early on with a mechanical issue curtailing the Brit’s session. He managed keep a place in Q2, finishing the session in eighth place. Late on in the session, Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) had a close call with reigning Moto3 World Champion David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) at Turn 15, forcing the Colombian off track. Roberts would finish in sixth whilst Alonso, along with teammate Dani Holgado, goes via Q1.

There were late crashes for Jorge Navarro (Klint Forward Factory Team) at the final chicane before, with the yellow flags still out, Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) joined him in the gravel trap. At Turn 3, Albert Arenas (ITALJET Gresini Moto2) fell at Turn 3, a few moments after teammate Darryn Binder had also fallen.

Moto2 Practice results from Assen!

Moto3 : Lunetta Is Best Friday Afternoon at Assen

Mathilde Gasnier

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June 27, 2025

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Moto3 : Lunetta Is Best Friday Afternoon at Assen

Luca Lunetta led Moto3 World Championship practice Friday afternoon at TT Assen Circuit, in the Netherlands. Lunetta used his Pirelli-shod SIC58 Squadra Corse Honda to lap the 2.82-mile track in 1:40.053, which led the field of 26 riders.

David Muñoz was second-best with a time of 1:40.262 on his LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP KTM.

Joel Kelso, piloting his LEVELUP-MTA KTM, claimed the third and final spot on the front with a lap time of 1:40.445.

Classification practice moto3

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Lunetta earns Friday top spot as big hitters face Q1. The Italian leads Muñoz and Kelso as Mugello’s top two, Quiles and Carpe, will be in Q1 on Saturday.

A 1:40.053 in the latter stages of a dry Moto3 Practice saw Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) top the Friday afternoon rush at Assen, and his margin to second place was a healthy one. David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) was the rider closest to Lunetta, 0.209s the gap, as Joel Kelso (LEVELUP-MTA) completed the top three.

It was a good session for World Championship leader Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo), the #99 was P4 ahead of impressive rookie Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3), but it wasn’t an ideal afternoon for the top two from Mugello.

Both Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) and Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) will be in the Q1 fight after finishing outside the top 14, and they’ll be joined by 2025 podium finishers Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) and Ryusei Yamanaka (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) in a big-hitting Q1 line-up.

What does Saturday have in store for Moto3 then? They’ll be hoping FP2 will be dry before qualifying gets underway at 12:50 local time.

Moto3 Practice results from Assen!

MotoGP : Marc Marquez Heads Opening Practice At Assen

Mathilde Gasnier

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June 27, 2025

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MotoGP : Marc Marquez Heads Opening Practice At Assen

Marc Marquez topped MotoGP World Championship Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at TT Assen Circuit, in the Netherlands. Riding his Michelin-shod Lenovo Ducati Desmosedici GP25, the six-time MotoGP World Champion turned a lap of 1:32.216 around the 2.82-mile (4.54 km) track and led the 22-rider field.

Maverick Viñales was second-best with a 1:32.529 on his Red Bull KTM Tech3 RC16.

Marco Bezzecchi was third with a lap of 1:32.570 on his Aprilia Racing RS-GP25.

Classification fp1 motogp

More from a press release issued by Dorna:

Big crash to P1: Marc Marquez leads Viñales on Friday morning. The title race leader crashed at Turn 15 but eventually went on to grab top spot by three tenths ahead of Viñales and Bezzecchi.

More proof MotoGP riders are built differently. Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) didn’t let a huge Turn 15 crash stop him from setting the fastest time in FP1, as the #93 endures a dramatic start to his Motul Grand Prix of the Netherlands. Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) were P2 and P3 to see three manufacturers sitting at the top of the times early into the weekend.

With 37 minutes to go, Marc Marquez suffered a big crash at Ramshoek – the fast Turn 15 left-hander. The #93 highsided on the way into the corner and was up on his feet, but the title chase leader looked in some discomfort with his left hand, as he made his way back to pit lane and into his office. Team Manager, Davide Tardozzi, reported that Marquez was in a little bit of pain with his left elbow, and the crash was potentially caused by the 93-time Grand Prix winner downshifting too quickly.

Not an ideal start to the weekend, but in true Marquez fashion, he ventured back out on track with 19 minutes to go and with just over 12 minutes left, the #93 rose to P1 by three tenths of a second. Talk about a rollercoaster ride. And on his penultimate lap, Marquez went even quicker with a 1:32.216 – impressive is one word to explain what we just saw.

Rounding out the top five heading into this afternoon’s Practice session were Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), with Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) in P6.

Tune into MotoGP Practice at 15:00 local time!

MotoGP FP1 results!

Moto2 : Lopez Tops Opening Practice At Assen

Mathilde Gasnier

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June 27, 2025

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Moto2 : Lopez Tops Opening Practice At Assen

Alonso Lopez was quickest during Moto2 World Championship Free Practice Friday morning at TT Assen Circuit, in the Netherlands. Riding his Pirelli-shod Folladore SpeedRS Boscoscuro on the 2.82-mile (4.54 km) track, the Spaniard recorded a 1:36.025 to lead the field of 28 riders.

Manuel Gonzalez was the best of the rest with a 1:36.035 on his LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex.

Albert Arenas was third-fastest with a 1:36.091 on his ITALJET Gresini Moto2 Kalex.

American Joe Roberts finished the opening session in 20th with a 1:37.297 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.

Classification fp1 moto2

Moto3 : Carpe Quickest In Opening Practice At Assen

Mathilde Gasnier

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June 27, 2025

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Moto3 : Carpe Quickest In Opening Practice At Assen

Alvaro Carpe was quickest during Moto3 World Championship practice Friday morning at TT Assen Circuit, in the Netherlands. Riding his Red Bull KTM Ajo on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard covered the 2.82-mile (4.54 km) road course in 1:46.078, topping the field of 26 riders.

Maximo Quiles was the best of the rest with a 1:46.189 on his CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team KTM.

Angel Piqueras was third with a lap time of 1:46.457 on his FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI KTM.

Classification moto3 fp1

Memorial Services Set For Racer David Hildebrand

John Ulrich

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June 26, 2025

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Memorial Services Set For Racer David Hildebrand

Hello friends. This is Carrie Hildebrand with news of David’s memorial services in Maryland. All are welcome.

Memorial Service In Loving Memory of David Andrew Hildebrand

A ceremony will be held at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville, in the committal shelter, on Thursday, July 10th, 2025.

Service Time: 10:45 AM (prompt)
Please arrive by: 10:30 AM

Location: Maryland Veterans Cemetery – Crownsville
1122 Sunrise Beach Rd, Crownsville, MD 21032

The service will last approximately 20 minutes. Following the service, David’s ashes will be placed in the columbarium. We are permitted to view the placement from our vehicles, but kindly note that approaching the columbarium during interment is not allowed.

Your presence in honoring David’s memory is deeply appreciated. Please let his parents or sister know if you plan to attend the service by July 6th if possible.

World Superbike: Gerloff Signs With Puccetti For 2026 Season

Michael Gougis

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June 26, 2025

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World Superbike: Gerloff Signs With Puccetti For 2026 Season

American rider Garrett Gerloff has extended his current contract with the Kawasaki WorldSBK Team to race the Ninja ZX-10RR in the 2026 FIM Superbike World Championship season.

Garrett Gerloff (31) scored his best finish of the season at Misano in June. Photo courtesy Puccetti Racing.

Gerloff, now 29 years of age, came to WorldSBK after a successful MotoAmerica career, which saw him finish third in the Supersport category in 2015, securing two race wins on the way. His prowess and even greater potential was made clear by his successive MotoAmerica Supersport Championship wins in 2016 and 2017.

Promoted to the Superbike category in MotoAmerica in 2018, he would race there for two seasons. He progressed from fifth in year one to third in year two, before he was picked up by an officially supported WorldSBK satellite team for the 2020 season.

Garrett Gerloff rides the only Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10 RR on the 2025 World Superbike grid. Photo courtesy Puccetti Racing.

Having ridden for two different manufacturers before joining Kawasaki in 2025, Garrett has scored eight podiums in all, with this total including two second-place rankings.

Since he became the ‘Lone Star’ in the new Puccetti Racing-operated Kawasaki WorldSBK Team this season, the Texan rider has made progress in what is one of the most closely contested WorldSBK line-ups in a decade or more.

The continuation of an official Kawasaki entry in WorldSBK on the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR demonstrates in a very public way not only Kawasaki’s relentless focus on the Ninja brand through all levels of production-derived racing, it also underlines a desire to continue the success that has been achieved by several iterations of the Ninja ZX-10R and ZX-10RR including seven WorldSBK Rider Championship wins.

Despite being new in the WorldSBK entry list this season, the Kawasaki WorldSBK Team is already well established in the paddock. The current season is at the exact halfway point right now, making the signing of Gerloff for the 2026 campaign at such an early stage a strong vote of confidence on what the Kawasaki WorldSBK Team thinks can be achieved alongside Garrett – not just in the second half of 2025 but next year as well.

Manuel Puccetti:

“It is a pleasure to continue to work with Garrett because, for us, he is a real top rider, the same level as the front guys. I think we will have better and better results. Our collaboration started this year, together with our new Kawasaki supported team, in WorldSBK. This achievement makes me incredibly proud. It is also a big responsibility to do our best for a wonderful brand that we have worked with for more than 20 years, in one form or another. We have continuously improved with Garrett this year, and I am quite positive that for next year, we will make a good step and have better and better results. We are super-pleased to work with Garrett as he is such a nice guy. I saw in the history of Kawasaki’s collaboration with new riders that they only improve in their speed, progression, and performance.”

Garrett Gerloff:

“I am very happy to have signed again with the Kawasaki WorldSBK Team for the 2026 season. I have been confident in the team and everything we have been doing. We are moving forward, even if it has been tough at times. I am happy with the team, the progress that we have made in the first half of the season, and their belief in me. They have been great at not putting undue pressure on me. I can see that they believe in the project and they also believe in me. We all want to keep investing and developing the bike. I am excited to build on what I have come to know about the Ninja ZX-10RR. It’s going to be nice to continue with the same project, the same people, and while not having to re-learn anything fundamental. For 2026, I am sure that is going to be positive for us.”

Mr. Manabu Shinobu, Senior Manager – Marketing Department, Kawasaki Motors, Ltd:

“We are sure Ninja fans will be enthusiastic about Garrett Gerloff extending his agreement to ride for the Kawasaki WorldSBK Team into 2026. From a factory perspective, his feedback helps us to continually develop our Ninja machines for riders everywhere. The Ninja brand has a global significance – including in Garrett’s USA homeland where the Ninja concept was originally conceived. We join all Kawasaki fans wishing him good fortune in 2026.”

MotoGP: Stats Ahead Of The Motul Grand Prix Of The Netherlands

Michael Gougis

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June 26, 2025

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MotoGP: Stats Ahead Of The Motul Grand Prix Of The Netherlands

Assen is the only venue that has hosted a Grand Prix every year since our inaugural season in 1949, with the sole exception of 2020. This year also marks the 100th anniversary since racing began in the area.

The original Assen circuit used up to 1954 measured 16.54 km, reduced to 7.7 km in 1955 and then 6.1 km in 1984. The current layout has been used since 2006, with minor adjustments. In 2016, the Dutch TT was held on Sunday for the first time after previously taking place on Saturday.

The 500cc race at the 1975 Dutch TT is the only MotoGP race where the first two riders were credited with the same race time. Barry Sheene and Giacomo Agostini finished so close that the timekeepers of the day, using manual timing accurate to 0.1 seconds, were unable to split them.

The top 15 at the 2018 Dutch GP was the closest in MotoGP at the time, with 16.043 seconds between Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa. The record is now 8.928, from the 2021 Doha GP. Assen 2018 is now the fifth.

MOTOGP™ WINNERS IN ASSEN ON THE GRID

Francesco Bagnaia 3 (2022, 2023, 2024) – Marc Marquez 2 (2014, 2018) – Fabio Quartararo 1 (2021) – Maverick Viñales 1 (2019) – Jack Miller 1 (2016)

SPRINT WINNERS IN ASSEN

Marco Bezzecchi 1 (2023) – Francesco Bagnaia 1 (2024)

FACTORIES IN ASSEN: BEST RESULTS

GP wins:

Honda 21 – Yamaha 18 – MV Agusta 15 – Suzuki 9 – Gilera 7 – Ducati 4 – Norton 1

Sprint wins:

Ducati 2

Honda ’s most recent MotoGP win at Assen was Marc Marquez in 2018 from pole. Honda have seven MotoGP™ wins in the modern era here with six riders: Valentino Rossi, Sete Gibernau, Nicky Hayden, Casey Stoner, Marc Marquez and Miller.

Yamaha ’s most recent MotoGP win here was for Quartararo in 2021. Yamaha have 11 wins in the modern era with five riders: Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Ben Spies, Viñales and Quartararo.

Ducati ’s four MotoGP wins here are Stoner in 2008 (from pole), Bagnaia in 2022 (from pole), 2023 and 2024 (also from pole). Ducati have then taken the last three poles in Assen, including with Bezzecchi in 2023.

Aprilia ’s best MotoGP results in the modern era at the Dutch TT are Viñales, P3 in 2022, his maiden podium with the Noale factory, and Aleix Espargaro, P3 in 2023.

KTM have a best MotoGP™ result here of P4 for Brad Binder in 2023.

EXTRA FACTS AND STATS

11 riders on the grid have MotoGP podiums in Assen: Marc Marquez (7), Viñales (4), Bagnaia (3), Quartararo (2), Bezzecchi (2), Miller (1), Joan Mir (1), Alex Rins (1), Enea Bastianini (1), Jorge Martin (1) and substitute rider Aleix Espargaro (1). 7 have
taken pole: Bagnaia (2), M. Marquez (1), Johann Zarco (1), Quartararo (1), Viñales and A. Espargaro (1) and Bezzecchi (1).

Only two of the current riders have scored points in all ninth Tissot Sprints: Marc Marquez and Alex Marquez.

The only two riders to win the MotoGP™ race at Assen in successive years are Bagnaia (2022, 2023 and 2024), and Rossi (2004 and 2005). In the 500cc class, Giacomo Agostini and Mick Doohan both won the Dutch TT five years in a row.

WHAT HAPPENS IF…

90 If a Ducati qualifies in the top three, it will be the 90th consecutive GP that a Ducati rider starts on the front row, a run that stretches back to Valencia 2020.

76 Ducati are on a streak of 75 podiums in a row. Another will extend their own record to 76. The only manufacturer with more than 75 podiums in a row is Honda with 83 from the FIM GP 1993 to the Imola GP 1999.

68 If Marc Marquez wins the GP at the Dutch TT, it will be his 68th win in MotoGP, equalling MotoGP Legend Giacomo Agostini in second on the list riders with most MotoGP wins, behind MotoGP Legend Valentino Rossi (89).

20 Rookie Fermin Aldeguer will be 20 years and 85 days old on Sunday and would be the second-youngest MotoGP winner after Marc Marquez (20 years and 63 days old in Austin, 2013), if he wins on Sunday.

10 If Marc and Alex Marquez both finish either P1 or P2 in the Sprint in Assen, it will be all 10 Sprints in 2025 that have been a Marquez 1-2 – Marc-Alex or Alex-Marc.

5 There are five riders on the grid who could take their maiden MotoGP win this weekend: Raul Fernandez, Pedro Acosta and rookies Ai Ogura, Somkiat Chantra and Fermin Aldeguer.

3 If Marc Marquez wins on Sunday at the Dutch TT, it will be the first time he wins in the three successive GP races since 2019 (five, from the San Marino GP to the Australian GP).

1 KTM and Aprilia riders could give their factory a maiden premier class win in Assen.

Aprilia Introduces RS 125 GP Replica

Michael Gougis

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June 25, 2025

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The new range of small Aprilia 125 sports bikes is further enhanced by the arrival of the
new Aprilia RS 125 GP Replica, a homage to the refined Aprilia RS-GP25, the prototype
used to compete in the MotoGP World Championship, ridden by World Champion Jorge
Martin and Marco Bezzecchi.

Graphics on the RS 125 GP Replica are a reproduction of those on the company’s 2025 MotoGP RS-GP. Photo courtesy Aprilia.

The Aprilia RS 125 GP Replica boasts the same edgy livery as the official MotoGP bikes,
dominated by black with red and purple graphics, including the logos of the Aprilia Racing
team sponsors.

A high-adrenaline “Race Replica”, with the aesthetics of the original reproduced in every
detail, it also stands out from the competition thanks to its superb standard equipment,
including the QuickShift electronic gearbox for rapid, precise gear changes and the
single-seat cover for an even sportier look.

The Aprilia RS 125 GP Replica comes with ABS, an electronic quickshifter, traction control and a “rollover prevention” system for emergency braking. Photo courtesy Aprilia.

A bold aesthetic that instantly evokes the track and a sense of competition, further
enhanced by the bold matte black paint finish of the swingarm and frame, crafted
from die-cast aluminium beams with cross-ribbed reinforcement – the result of Aprilia’s
extensive expertise.

The Aprilia RS 125 GP Replica also benefits from the major technical improvements
introduced on the RS 125 for 2025. The tuning of the single-cylinder engine with fourvalve timing and liquid cooling has also been overhauled, and boasts the same firstclass performance as the previous model, despite being compliant with the more stringent
Euro 5+ regulations: 15 hp (11 kW) at 10,500 rpm and 11.5 Nm at 8,500 rpm, figures
which set a new benchmark in this category.

The single-cylinder, 15 bhp, Euro5-compliant powerplant of the RS 125 GP Replica. Photo courtesy Aprilia.

Traction control (which can be disabled) and the cutting-edge dual-channel ABS
developed in collaboration with Bosch also come as standard, and the bike also features
a rollover prevention system in the event of emergency braking.

MotoGP : Quartararo Fastest Friday Afternoon At Assen

June 27, 2025

Fabio Quartararo was fastest during the MotoGP practice session in the Netherlands. Photo courtesy Dorna.

Fabio Quartararo led MotoGP World Championship practice Friday afternoon at TT Assen Circuit, in the Netherlands. Riding his Monster Energy Yamaha YZR-M1 on spec Michelin tires, the 2021 MotoGP World Champion turned a lap time of 1:31.156 and led the 22-rider field.

Alex Marquez was the best of the rest with a 1:31.258 on his BK8 Gresini Ducati Desmosedici GP24.

Pedro Acosta was third at 1:31.349 on his Red Bull KTM Factory RC16.

Marco Bezzecchi finished the session fourth with a 1:31.352 on his Aprilia Racing RS-GP25.

Francesco Bagnaia, piloting his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP25, got fifth with a lap time of 1:31.410.

Classification practice motogp

More from a press release issued by Dorna:

Quartararo fastest as Marc Marquez endures tough Friday at the Cathedral. Yamaha lead Ducati and KTM so far in Assen, with the #93 suffering two big crashes on the opening day of action.

Fabio Quartararo’s (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) 1:31.156 has given the Frenchman and the Iwata factory Day 1 honours at the Motul Grand Prix of the Netherlands in what was a rather dramatic Friday at the office. Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), despite a crash in Practice, heads into Saturday as the second fastest rider, with Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) kicking off his weekend with a positive P3.

However, positive isn’t a word to describe Marc Marquez’s (Ducati Lenovo Team) day at the Cathedral of Speed. A huge crash in FP1 was followed by another rapid off at Turn 7 as drama unfolds for the MotoGP World Championship leader.

Tricky conditions ? It looked that way.

The first 30 minutes were dramatic to say the least. Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) had a huge crash at Turn 11 that resulted in the red flags being waved for a short period with just under 32 minutes to go, thankfully the Japanese rider was alright, but before that, a whole host of riders were down. Alex Marquez crashed at Turn 1, as teammate Fermin Aldeguer was then on the deck at Turn 7.

That same corner caught out Aleix Espargaro (Honda HRC Castrol), with the Geert Timmer chicane catching out both Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) and Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3). Turn 12 was another place we saw someone crash, and that someone was Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team).

The Chase for the top 10

Quartararo led the way as the MotoGP riders reemerged from pit lane, but that didn’t last long because Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and then Alex Marquez climbed to the summit with 25 minutes to go.

A Turn 8 crash for Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia Racing) saw more red flags bring a halt to proceedings before we then got the usual Friday afternoon time attacks underway. And who went P1? Marc Marquez.

However, teammate Bagnaia was the pacesetter with five minutes to go thanks to a 1:31.410 – 0.045s quicker than Marquez. Another Italian then rose to P1 and it was Bezzecchi, but Alex Marquez ensured the Aprilia star didn’t stay at the top for long.

Marc Marquez crashes again

Then, more drama for Marc Marquez. Turn 7 caught out the #93 as the front end of his factory Ducati washed away. Marquez was back up on his feet but likewise to his FP1 crash, the six-time MotoGP World Champion looked in a bit of discomfort.

The top 10 on Friday

Elsewhere, Quartararo gate-crashed the Ducati and Aprilia party to send himself and Yamaha to P1. And despite a few improvements on their final laps, that was all she wrote in the chase to be top dog on Friday at Assen.

Bezzecchi eventually slipped to P4, but that’s still a good day at the office for the Italian and Aprilia. Pecco ends Day 1 in P5, while a bruised Marc Marquez heads into Saturday as the sixth fastest – what does Saturday hold for the title chase frontrunner?

Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) was a late improver into P7, Viñales left it a tad late to grab P8, as Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Zarco sail into Q2 after the latter nudged out Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) right at the end of the session.

Coming up: Saturday in Assen

After a far from quiet Friday, what does Saturday’s qualifying and Tissot Sprint have in store – and how fit will Marc Marquez be after two crashes? We’ll find out soon enough.

MotoGP Dutch GP Practice results!

Moto2 : Salac Breaks Record At Assen

June 27, 2025

Filip Salac sets new lap record at Assen this afternoon during the practice session. Photo courtesy Dorna.

Filip Salac led Moto2 World Championship practice Friday afternoon at TT Assen Circuit, in the Netherlands. Riding his ELF Marc VDS Boscoscuro on Pirelli control tires, the Czech rider lapped the 2.82-mile road course in 1:34.869, topping the field of 28 riders and breaking Fermin Aldeguer’s All-Time Lap Record of 1:35.269 from 2024.

Aron Canet was second-best with a time of 1:35.215 on his Fantic Racing Lino Sonego Kalex. Manuel Gonzalez did a third-fastest 1:35.304 on his LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex.

American Joe Roberts finished Friday afternoon’s practice session 6th with a best time of 1:35.556 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.

Classification moto2 practice

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Salac leads Moto2™ Practice at Assen with dramatic closing stages. The Czech rider didn’t put a foot wrong and is the favourite going into Saturday but the top two in the title race are right behind him.

After drama and delay in the morning, it was a smooth afternoon for the Moto2™ field at the TT Circuit Assen in the Netherlands as an all-important Practice session gave us the top 14 for Q2 and the big names who need to go via Q1. Late yellow flags and big names suffering problems may have headlined but it was Filip Salac (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) who bagged top spot by the close of action on Friday, setting a new lap record.

Continuing strong form from Mugello, Salac was strong throughout the session as he secured P1 by some 0.346s, a decent margin in his favour going into Saturday. Aron Canet (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) was the next rider up in P2, just ahead of Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP). Tony Arbolino (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) was fourth and looked good on Friday, whilst it was one of the best sessions of the year for 2024 Assen Moto3 winner Ivan Ortola (QJMOTOR – FRINSA – MSI), moving into Q2.

Jake Dixon’s (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) session was cut short early on with a mechanical issue curtailing the Brit’s session. He managed keep a place in Q2, finishing the session in eighth place. Late on in the session, Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) had a close call with reigning Moto3 World Champion David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) at Turn 15, forcing the Colombian off track. Roberts would finish in sixth whilst Alonso, along with teammate Dani Holgado, goes via Q1.

There were late crashes for Jorge Navarro (Klint Forward Factory Team) at the final chicane before, with the yellow flags still out, Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) joined him in the gravel trap. At Turn 3, Albert Arenas (ITALJET Gresini Moto2) fell at Turn 3, a few moments after teammate Darryn Binder had also fallen.

Moto2 Practice results from Assen!

Moto3 : Lunetta Is Best Friday Afternoon at Assen

June 27, 2025

David Muñoz (64) and Luca Lunetta (58) during the practice session at TT Assen. Photo courtesy Dorna.

Luca Lunetta led Moto3 World Championship practice Friday afternoon at TT Assen Circuit, in the Netherlands. Lunetta used his Pirelli-shod SIC58 Squadra Corse Honda to lap the 2.82-mile track in 1:40.053, which led the field of 26 riders.

David Muñoz was second-best with a time of 1:40.262 on his LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP KTM.

Joel Kelso, piloting his LEVELUP-MTA KTM, claimed the third and final spot on the front with a lap time of 1:40.445.

Classification practice moto3

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Lunetta earns Friday top spot as big hitters face Q1. The Italian leads Muñoz and Kelso as Mugello’s top two, Quiles and Carpe, will be in Q1 on Saturday.

A 1:40.053 in the latter stages of a dry Moto3 Practice saw Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) top the Friday afternoon rush at Assen, and his margin to second place was a healthy one. David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) was the rider closest to Lunetta, 0.209s the gap, as Joel Kelso (LEVELUP-MTA) completed the top three.

It was a good session for World Championship leader Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo), the #99 was P4 ahead of impressive rookie Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3), but it wasn’t an ideal afternoon for the top two from Mugello.

Both Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) and Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) will be in the Q1 fight after finishing outside the top 14, and they’ll be joined by 2025 podium finishers Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) and Ryusei Yamanaka (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) in a big-hitting Q1 line-up.

What does Saturday have in store for Moto3 then? They’ll be hoping FP2 will be dry before qualifying gets underway at 12:50 local time.

Moto3 Practice results from Assen!

MotoGP : Marc Marquez Heads Opening Practice At Assen

June 27, 2025

Marc Marquez was fastest this morning during FP1 at Assen. Photo courtesy Ducati Corse Team.

Marc Marquez topped MotoGP World Championship Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at TT Assen Circuit, in the Netherlands. Riding his Michelin-shod Lenovo Ducati Desmosedici GP25, the six-time MotoGP World Champion turned a lap of 1:32.216 around the 2.82-mile (4.54 km) track and led the 22-rider field.

Maverick Viñales was second-best with a 1:32.529 on his Red Bull KTM Tech3 RC16.

Marco Bezzecchi was third with a lap of 1:32.570 on his Aprilia Racing RS-GP25.

Classification fp1 motogp

More from a press release issued by Dorna:

Big crash to P1: Marc Marquez leads Viñales on Friday morning. The title race leader crashed at Turn 15 but eventually went on to grab top spot by three tenths ahead of Viñales and Bezzecchi.

More proof MotoGP riders are built differently. Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) didn’t let a huge Turn 15 crash stop him from setting the fastest time in FP1, as the #93 endures a dramatic start to his Motul Grand Prix of the Netherlands. Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) were P2 and P3 to see three manufacturers sitting at the top of the times early into the weekend.

With 37 minutes to go, Marc Marquez suffered a big crash at Ramshoek – the fast Turn 15 left-hander. The #93 highsided on the way into the corner and was up on his feet, but the title chase leader looked in some discomfort with his left hand, as he made his way back to pit lane and into his office. Team Manager, Davide Tardozzi, reported that Marquez was in a little bit of pain with his left elbow, and the crash was potentially caused by the 93-time Grand Prix winner downshifting too quickly.

Not an ideal start to the weekend, but in true Marquez fashion, he ventured back out on track with 19 minutes to go and with just over 12 minutes left, the #93 rose to P1 by three tenths of a second. Talk about a rollercoaster ride. And on his penultimate lap, Marquez went even quicker with a 1:32.216 – impressive is one word to explain what we just saw.

Rounding out the top five heading into this afternoon’s Practice session were Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), with Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) in P6.

Tune into MotoGP Practice at 15:00 local time!

MotoGP FP1 results!

Moto2 : Lopez Tops Opening Practice At Assen

June 27, 2025

Alonso Lopez was fastest this morning at wet TT Assen Circuit. Photo courtesy Dorna.

Alonso Lopez was quickest during Moto2 World Championship Free Practice Friday morning at TT Assen Circuit, in the Netherlands. Riding his Pirelli-shod Folladore SpeedRS Boscoscuro on the 2.82-mile (4.54 km) track, the Spaniard recorded a 1:36.025 to lead the field of 28 riders.

Manuel Gonzalez was the best of the rest with a 1:36.035 on his LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex.

Albert Arenas was third-fastest with a 1:36.091 on his ITALJET Gresini Moto2 Kalex.

American Joe Roberts finished the opening session in 20th with a 1:37.297 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.

Classification fp1 moto2

Moto3 : Carpe Quickest In Opening Practice At Assen

June 27, 2025

Alvaro Carpe was fastest this morning during FP1 at TT Assen. Photo courtesy Red Bull KTM Ajo Team.

Alvaro Carpe was quickest during Moto3 World Championship practice Friday morning at TT Assen Circuit, in the Netherlands. Riding his Red Bull KTM Ajo on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard covered the 2.82-mile (4.54 km) road course in 1:46.078, topping the field of 26 riders.

Maximo Quiles was the best of the rest with a 1:46.189 on his CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team KTM.

Angel Piqueras was third with a lap time of 1:46.457 on his FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI KTM.

Classification moto3 fp1

Memorial Services Set For Racer David Hildebrand

June 26, 2025

Hildebrand action IMG_9133 — David Hildebrand (427) in a WERA race at Road Atlanta in 2024.

Hello friends. This is Carrie Hildebrand with news of David’s memorial services in Maryland. All are welcome.

Memorial Service In Loving Memory of David Andrew Hildebrand

A ceremony will be held at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville, in the committal shelter, on Thursday, July 10th, 2025.

Service Time: 10:45 AM (prompt)
Please arrive by: 10:30 AM

Location: Maryland Veterans Cemetery – Crownsville
1122 Sunrise Beach Rd, Crownsville, MD 21032

The service will last approximately 20 minutes. Following the service, David’s ashes will be placed in the columbarium. We are permitted to view the placement from our vehicles, but kindly note that approaching the columbarium during interment is not allowed.

Your presence in honoring David’s memory is deeply appreciated. Please let his parents or sister know if you plan to attend the service by July 6th if possible.

World Superbike: Gerloff Signs With Puccetti For 2026 Season

June 26, 2025

gerloff 3 — Garrett Gerloff. Photo courtesy Puccetti Racing.

American rider Garrett Gerloff has extended his current contract with the Kawasaki WorldSBK Team to race the Ninja ZX-10RR in the 2026 FIM Superbike World Championship season.

Gerloff, now 29 years of age, came to WorldSBK after a successful MotoAmerica career, which saw him finish third in the Supersport category in 2015, securing two race wins on the way. His prowess and even greater potential was made clear by his successive MotoAmerica Supersport Championship wins in 2016 and 2017.

Promoted to the Superbike category in MotoAmerica in 2018, he would race there for two seasons. He progressed from fifth in year one to third in year two, before he was picked up by an officially supported WorldSBK satellite team for the 2020 season.

Having ridden for two different manufacturers before joining Kawasaki in 2025, Garrett has scored eight podiums in all, with this total including two second-place rankings.

Since he became the ‘Lone Star’ in the new Puccetti Racing-operated Kawasaki WorldSBK Team this season, the Texan rider has made progress in what is one of the most closely contested WorldSBK line-ups in a decade or more.

The continuation of an official Kawasaki entry in WorldSBK on the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR demonstrates in a very public way not only Kawasaki’s relentless focus on the Ninja brand through all levels of production-derived racing, it also underlines a desire to continue the success that has been achieved by several iterations of the Ninja ZX-10R and ZX-10RR including seven WorldSBK Rider Championship wins.

Despite being new in the WorldSBK entry list this season, the Kawasaki WorldSBK Team is already well established in the paddock. The current season is at the exact halfway point right now, making the signing of Gerloff for the 2026 campaign at such an early stage a strong vote of confidence on what the Kawasaki WorldSBK Team thinks can be achieved alongside Garrett – not just in the second half of 2025 but next year as well.

Manuel Puccetti:

“It is a pleasure to continue to work with Garrett because, for us, he is a real top rider, the same level as the front guys. I think we will have better and better results. Our collaboration started this year, together with our new Kawasaki supported team, in WorldSBK. This achievement makes me incredibly proud. It is also a big responsibility to do our best for a wonderful brand that we have worked with for more than 20 years, in one form or another. We have continuously improved with Garrett this year, and I am quite positive that for next year, we will make a good step and have better and better results. We are super-pleased to work with Garrett as he is such a nice guy. I saw in the history of Kawasaki’s collaboration with new riders that they only improve in their speed, progression, and performance.”

Garrett Gerloff:

“I am very happy to have signed again with the Kawasaki WorldSBK Team for the 2026 season. I have been confident in the team and everything we have been doing. We are moving forward, even if it has been tough at times. I am happy with the team, the progress that we have made in the first half of the season, and their belief in me. They have been great at not putting undue pressure on me. I can see that they believe in the project and they also believe in me. We all want to keep investing and developing the bike. I am excited to build on what I have come to know about the Ninja ZX-10RR. It’s going to be nice to continue with the same project, the same people, and while not having to re-learn anything fundamental. For 2026, I am sure that is going to be positive for us.”

Mr. Manabu Shinobu, Senior Manager – Marketing Department, Kawasaki Motors, Ltd:

“We are sure Ninja fans will be enthusiastic about Garrett Gerloff extending his agreement to ride for the Kawasaki WorldSBK Team into 2026. From a factory perspective, his feedback helps us to continually develop our Ninja machines for riders everywhere. The Ninja brand has a global significance – including in Garrett’s USA homeland where the Ninja concept was originally conceived. We join all Kawasaki fans wishing him good fortune in 2026.”

MotoGP: Stats Ahead Of The Motul Grand Prix Of The Netherlands

June 26, 2025

Marquez COTA DSC_0105 — Marc Marquez (93) leads the MotoGP World Championship heading into the Motul Grand Prix of The Netherlands. Photo by Michael Gougis.