For the first time since 2004, a Japanese rider stands on the top step of a MotoGP podium in a drama-filled Dutch GP
Makoto Tamada, 2004 Japanese Grand Prix. 22 years ago, MotoGP witnessed its most recent Japanese winner... until today. A rapidly rising star from the land of the rising sun stood tallest at the Cathedral of Speed in 2026, as Ai Ogura (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team) clinched a maiden MotoGP victory in a highly dramatic Tissot Grand Prix of the Netherlands. Raul Fernandez came home second to see SuperFile Trackhouse celebrate a double 1-2 in Assen, as a P3 for Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) sees the #89 climb to the summit of the World Championship after teammate Marco Bezzecchi suffers an early DNF following a rapid Turn 15 crash, rider ok.
THE OPENING EXCHANGES
From pole, Martin didn't hold onto the lead into Turn 1 after Ogura's fast start from the middle of the front row, but on the cut back out of the opening corner, Martin powered back past the lead the Grand Prix. Ogura and Fernandez were P2 and P3, as Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) passed Bezzecchi on Lap 1.
A royal rumble battle was unfolding on Lap 2, with Martin enjoying some free space in the lead of the Grand Prix. It was Trackhouse vs Trackhouse for P2 at the first corner, and as the duo battled, through came Marc Marquez in the intense battle for P2. Ogura was the one to lose out though, the Japanese rider was shuffled down to P5, behind Fernandez, Marc Marquez and Bezzecchi, before huge drama unfolded at the end of Lap 2.
Bezzecchi, through the ferociously fast Turn 15 of Ramshoek, lost the front while sat behind Marc Marquez. No chance of saving it. The Italian was down the road in a big way, and while the main point was that Bez was relatively alright after a huge off, it was a third Sunday in a row where the pre-race championship leader would score zero points. Disaster for Bez and Aprilia.
FERNANDEZ CHASES, FIGHTING UNFOLDS
Back on track, Fernandez was reeling in Martin at a rapid rate of knots. Marc Marquez was holding P3 for the time being, but Ogura was swarming. The Japanese rider needed to get past the reigning World Champion as soon as possible, and Ogura did what he needed to do. But the Sprint silver medallist had over two seconds to make up to teammate Fernandez and leader Martin.
While Ogura got the better of Marc Marquez, we then strapped in for Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) vs Marc Marquez, with Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) enjoying a VIP ticket to the show in P6. A handful of lunges, then re-overtakes from the 2027 factory Ducati teammates were a treat for the eyes, but it was a scrap that saw third place Ogura quickly scamper to a three-second lead over the trio. And it also meant that Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), and Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) were joining the P4 party.
Right, where were we in the fight at the front? Fernandez was sitting 0.3s behind Martin, with Ogura galloping towards the two other riders on circuit who are in the Aprilia stable. The deficit by Lap 12 of 26 was cut to 1.2s, as attention then returned to the fight further back.
ACOSTA AND PECCO DNF
Acosta, keeping tabs on the Ducati Lenovo duo, suddenly ran wide at Turn 1 and began to cruise. Was it a physical problem, or was it another technical problem? We'd find out soon enough, but before we did, Pecco then encountered a technical problem on his Desmosedici to see the Italian roll into pit lane. Two big hitters out of the top six.
In Acosta's case, serious right-hand discomfort caused the #37 to pull in and retire from the Grand Prix. Pre-German GP surgery looks like it's scheduled for the Spanish star.
Then, a small dose of drama was thrown in the direction of Ogura. Around Turn 3, the rear ride height device was clearly stuck in its position and having just set the fastest lap of the Grand Prix to get right on the rear wheel of the top two, Ogura lost crucial ground again. Thankfully, for Ogura anyway, the #79 managed to release the ride height device, and a lap later, the battle for P1 lit up the Cathedral.
AN ALL-APRILIA SCRAP FOR THE WIN AS DIGGIA VS MM93 IGNITES
Fernandez pounced on Lap 17 at the Geert Timmer chicane to demote Martin to P2, and then on the anchors into Turn 1, Ogura followed his teammate through on the #89.
Biding his time, it was Lap 20 before Ogura decided to strike on teammate Fernandez. Turn 9, up the inside, clean as you like, job done. And straight away, Ogura began to stretch his legs. The gap at the start of Lap 22 was 0.9s, as Marc Marquez and Di Giannantonio went head-to-head at the Geert Timmer chicane.
On the first occasion, Di Giannantonio lunged underneath the #93 in what was a copy and paste from Marc Marquez vs Diggia's boss, Valentino Rossi, in 2015. Both were wide, Marc Marquez over the gravel, Di Giannantonio across the blue and shortcutting, and it was a move that saw the Italian eventually get handed a Long Lap penalty for not losing sufficient time when shortcutting the final chicane.
Once Diggia completed his Long Lap penalty, he dropped right in behind Marc Marquez again, with the superb Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) now in P4.
Another Marc Marquez vs Di Giannantonio head-to-head at the chicane on the penultimate lap, anyone? Go on then. This time, the Italian kept it on the asphalt to make an aggressive but cleaner move, and on the final lap, Di Giannantonio carved past Alex Marquez to grab P4.
While there was plenty to get stuck into in that battle, the headlines were at the front. After narrowly missing out on a debut win in Brno, Ogura only had to wait seven days longer to stand on the top step for the first time in MotoGP. An extraordinary performance at the Cathedral. Japan's rising star has arrived in the top class of motorcycle racing, and it's a win that sees Ogura sit just 25 points off the championship lead.
A lead that is now held by Martin after his P3, as Sprint winner Fernandez comes home in P2 to deliver Trackhouse a dream double 1-2 in Assen. What a weekend for the American outfit. And apart from Bezzecchi's Sunday DNF, a weekend where Aprilia showed real speed and authority.
YOUR ASSEN POINT SCORERS
As mentioned, Diggia battled hard to take the chequered flag in P4, with Alex Marquez putting in a heroic effort to round out the top five. After his Barcelona crash, and then his big Friday crash here in Assen, that's an incredible ride from the #73.
Marc Marquez ended the Grand Prix in P6, but a post-race penalty for exceeding track limits on the final lap saw the reigning World Champion drop one position, meaning Bastianini was promoted to P6. For the #93, with the Sachsenring up next, picking up a P6 in the Sprint and a P7 in the Grand Prix, plus sitting 40 points back while in 'eco' mode, isn't a terrible weekend at the office.
Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) got everything and more out of the Yamaha this weekend in Assen, the Frenchman was a commendable P8 ahead of Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP).
Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) was 11th, Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) earned some points in P12, as Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3), Diogo Moreira (Pro Honda LCR) and wildcard Augusto Fernandez (Yamaha Factory Racing) close out the points at the Dutch GP.
Wow. What a day. One that feels very significant in the championship chase. A weekend off now beckons before we head to Marc Marquez territory: the Sachsenring. The last Grand Prix before the summer break, and one where it's Martin arriving as the championship frontrunner. Seven points split the 2024 World Champion and Bezzecchi, with the chasing pack swarming. See you there.
Check out FULL RESULTS HERE.
Alonso vs Gonzalez vs Agius lights up the Cathedral
A Moto2 Assen battle for the ages. David Alonso (CFMOTO Azul Marino Aspar Team) vs Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) vs Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP). A victory battle right out of the Cathedral’s top drawer, a fight that was settled at the final chicane, and an encounter that was won by Colombia. Alonso beat Gonzalez to the flag by just 0.024s to clinch his first win since the 2025 Hungarian GP, with Agius just 0.234s away in P3.
From the front row, it was Alberto Ferrandez (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) who led the field for the first time, and it was teammate Izan Guevara who also got the better of Alonso into Turn 1. The Colombian was P3, as Agius made a solid start from P6 – the Australian was P4 on the opening lap, one place ahead of Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Azul Marino Aspar Team).
It was all change at the end of Lap 2 though. Guevara hit the front, Alonso carved his way through on Ferrandez too, and then Holgado grabbed a lovely two-for-one deal at the final chicane to pocket P3. And a lap later at the Geert Timmer chicane, Holgado led having got through on teammate Alonso and then Guevara.
On Lap 3, Celestino Vietti’s (HDR SpeedRS Team) race ended with a crash at Turn 10, which further dented his championship hopes in what’s been a bruising weekend for the Italian.
Back at the front, having sat behind teammate Holgado for a few laps, Alonso struck to retake the lead on Lap 6. An immediate fastest lap by the polesitter and going onto Lap 8, Alonso stretched his lead to 0.6s over Holgado, Guevara, Gonzalez, Agius, and Brno winner Ivan Ortola (QJMOTOR – Xeramic – MSI). And at this stage, as well as Alonso, the championship leader was making moves. Gonzalez carved his way up to P2, and shortly after, Agius shoved past Holgado to climb into P3.
By Lap 15, some relentless pace from Gonzalez saw the #18 reel in the #80. And on Lap 17 of 22, the door opened for Gonzalez to lead following a small Alonso mistake at Turn 5 – while at the same time, Agius was now less than a second away from the lead. The Aussie was 0.8s faster than the top two on Lap 17, and after setting the last lap of the race on Lap 18, Agius made it a six-wheeler in the victory fight.
This was some unbelievable pace from Agius, and sure enough, he struck for P2 on Lap 18. However, a mistake on the next lap coming through Turn 7 saw him lose crucial ground while he was hunting Gonzalez, and it was a small error that allowed Alonso to come back through.
Two to go. The top three split by 0.3s. Gonzalez vs Alonso vs Agius. And the blue touch paper was lit on the penultimate lap at the Geert Timmer chicane. Alonso lunged, Gonzalez defended, and as Agius tried to get both of them coming out of the chicane, Alonso was out of shape, which sat up Agius, and that allowed Gonzalez to keep the lead heading onto the final lap.
A final chicane fight for the win, anyone? Gonzalez, holding onto the lead, understandably went ultra defensive, as Alonso – who had a big moment at Turn 11 – rode around the outside of the title chase leader going into the chicane.
Then it was all about the exit. Agius, attempting to get a phenomenal run out of the chicane and pounce, got blocked off by teammate Gonzalez, then lost the rear trying to get the power down, and on the run to the line, Alonso held off Gonzalez by 0.024s to win for the first time since the 2025 Hungarian GP, with Agius just 0.234s adrift of the 25 points.
Guevara picked up important points in P4, but the Spaniard loses more ground in the championship to Gonzalez ahead of the German GP. Ortola completed the top five, with Holgado eventually seven seconds off the win in P6. Adrian Huertas (Italtrans Racing Team) collects his equal-best Moto2 result in P7, Filip Salač (OnlyFans American Racing Team) comes home in P8, with home hero Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo) collecting a top 10 in front of the Dutch crowd in P9.
Ferrandez earned his second top 10 of the season with a P10 finish, and it’s double Dutch delight in terms of points scoring rides for the home riders after Zonta van den Goorbergh (Momoven Idrofoglia RW Racing Team) finishes P13.
Onto the Sachsenring we go then. What a race, what a weekend in Moto2. More of the same in Germany please! Find full results from Moto2 here.
Masterful Quiles resists Almansa challenge for Assen glory
Six of the very best for Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) who converted pole position to add his name to the iconic Assen winners' list. The Championship leader put in a sublime end to the 20-lapper to defeat David Almansa (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) whilst Marco Morelli (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) came through for a second podium of the year. Suffering a DNF, Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) lost valuable ground in the Championship, remaining second but 90 points behind Quiles after Round 10.
Snatching the holeshot on the run to Turn 1, Quiles made a perfect start from pole position but was under attack straight away at Turn 5 by a rapid-starting Almansa. The usual Moto3 scrapping began but it didn't last long for Carpe, who fell from the lead group at Turn 5 on Lap 2 after tagging the back the back of Morelli. The Argentinean stayed up but Adrian Cruces (CIP GreenPower) collected Carpe, the #11 out of action whilst the #83 rejoined. Halfway through Lap 4, Almansa was under attack from Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) and the Indonesian briefly led at Turn 12, only to be re-passed by Almansa at Turn 15.
As we entered the second third of the Grand Prix on Lap 7, there had been some big comebacks coming through the field and into the top ten. Hakim Danish (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) in third, Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Jesus Rios (Rivacold Snipers Team) elevated themselves from 16th, 19th and 21st respectively and were all fighting in the top six. One rider who was no longer in the fight despite leading a few laps prior was Pratama, falling at Turn 5. At half-race distance, Almansa attempted to stretch the field with Quiles right with him whilst Danish and Rios making it a small breakaway group of four ahead of Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing).
At the end of Lap 10, a messy final chicane between Rios, Danish and Almansa gave Quiles some breathing room at the front but on Lap 12, Almansa was back with the Championship leader. The #22 wasn't content with just catching him either, getting back into the lead at Turn 14 and setting back-to-back personal best laps of the race, keen to break free from the #28 behind. That wasn't going to work though and the battle that has played out various times in 2026 was doing so again as the #28 took the lead back at Turn 8 on Lap 13. Their squabbling had allowed Czech GP winner Danish to close back in, sat holding station in P3.
With 5 to go, Carpe called it a day after a valiant rejoin whilst as we approached the final three laps, Quiles had pulled the pin – but Almansa was going with him. They'd dropped Danish who was now in a fight for the final podium fight. In that fight for P3, Morelli had rocketed through once again on used rubber but the win was now out of reach.
Onto the last lap and Quiles led Almansa, an all-Spanish duel for honours at Assen. A moment for Almansa at Turn 9 decided everything and Championship leader Quiles was clear to take a sixth win of 2026 and extend his Championship advantage to 90. A second podium in three GPs for Almansa in second to move up to third in the standings whilst Morelli held onto P3. Perrone took his best result since he was P4 in COTA with P4 again, ahead of a mighty Rios.
Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) came home sixth ahead of Danish, Joel Kelso (GRYD Racing), Fernandez and Casey O'Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse). Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech3) crossed the line fifth but due to a 6-second time penalty equivalent to a double Long Lap, he came home in 11th.
Check out full results here for all the scorers and see you at the Sachsenring!