Patryk Stachowiak
Ducati’s Marc Marquez delivered a masterclass under pressure to win the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix at Assen, fending off Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi in a relentless 26-lap duel. The result extends his championship lead to a commanding 68 points—and etches another milestone in his storied career.
It didn’t come easy. Marquez’s Assen weekend began with two heavy crashes in Friday practice, and for just the second time all season, he failed to qualify on the front row. But the eight-time world champion responded with clinical precision, taking victory in Saturday’s sprint and following it up with a third straight Sunday triumph—his third consecutive weekend double.
Bezzecchi, relentless and inch-perfect, shadowed Marquez for most of the race after overtaking Pecco Bagnaia on lap eight at Turn 16—the same corner where Marquez had muscled into the lead just three laps earlier. Despite constant pressure, Bezzecchi couldn’t find a way through. Marquez pulled the pin on the final lap, stretching the gap to over eight tenths before crossing the line 0.635s ahead.
Bagnaia, who grabbed the holeshot from second on the grid, led the opening laps but couldn’t hold off the pace of the front two. A late charge helped him reclaim third from KTM’s Pedro Acosta, ultimately finishing 2.666s off the win. With nine of 22 rounds complete, Bagnaia now trails Marquez by 126 points.
Acosta claimed fourth, 3.418s back, with Tech3 teammate Maverick Viñales completing the top five. Behind them, VR46’s Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli clashed dramatically in the closing stages. Morbidelli, who cut the final chicane while defending, was handed a long-lap penalty and ended behind his teammate.
Raul Fernandez brought the Trackhouse Aprilia home in eighth, followed by Tech3’s Enea Bastianini, who carved through from 20th on the grid after a penalty, and Fabio Quartararo in tenth. Quartararo’s race unraveled early—first shuffled back in traffic, then forced onto the grass at Turn 12 after Fermin Aldeguer crashed ahead of him.
Joan Mir, unable to avoid the fallen Gresini Ducati, collided and retired, though both riders were unharmed. Brad Binder led the remaining finishers in 11th for KTM, with Johann Zarco, Alex Rins, Jack Miller, and Somkiat Chantra rounding out the points. Aleix Espargaro finished 16th.
The race also saw early retirements for Ai Ogura—caught in a lap-one incident with Miguel Oliveira—and Aprilia’s Lorenzo Savadori, who crashed out later in the race.
With his 68th premier class win, Marquez now stands level with Giacomo Agostini. Only Valentino Rossi’s record of 89 lies ahead. And with the form he’s showing, it’s no longer a question of if—just when.