MotoGP Round 10 | Ogura clinches maiden MotoGP victory. For the first time since 2004, when Makoto Tamada won the Japanese Grand Prix, a Japanese rider stood on the top step of a MotoGP podium in a drama-filled Dutch GP. Report: BikeReview/MotoGP Press.

Friday Practice and Saturday Qualifying
MotoGP

Red-hot. Scorching. And the weather’s pretty warm too. MotoGP’s opening day at Assen saw Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing #72) respond from his Czech GP in the best way possible, taking P1 and leading the charge into the rest of the weekend. Raul Fernandez (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team #25) followed him home for second on Friday, whilst a late lap from Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing #37) saw him clinch P3.

Read our other race news here…

Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing #89) took pole position for the Tissot Grand Prix of the Netherlands, securing the spoils with a 1:30.812 to deny Ai Ogura (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team #79) by just 0.011. It was Martin’s first pole since 2024 and the first ever top four for Aprilia on the MotoGP grid, with Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) completing the front row and Raul Fernandez (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team) forced to settle for fourth after track limits scrubbed off his best lap.

Moto2

On a scorching afternoon at the Tissot Grand Prix of the Netherlands, David Alonso (CFMOTO Azul Marino Aspar Team #80) set the pace in Moto2 thanks to a 1:36.154, a time that was 0.009s quicker than second-place Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #18). The World Championship leader was, in turn, 0.055s ahead of Tony Arbolino in third (REDS Fantic Racing #14), as 0.256s covered the top 10 in Assen.

For the second time in seven days, David Alonso (CFMOTO Azul Marino Aspar Team) earned pole position in a fiercely competitive Moto2 qualifying session at the Dutch GP that saw Q1 graduate Alberto Ferrandez (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 #54) clinch a debut front row start in P2, and alongside the Spaniard was his BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 teammate Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 #28).

Moto3

Rocketing to P1 on day one in the sunshine at Assen, Joel Kelso (GRYD Racing #66) led a Honda 1-2-3 with a fine showing in Moto3. This was the first session the #66 has led in 2026, and he was in the box seat going into the rest of the weekend. The Australian had an advantage of 0.216s over the opposition, as less than a second covered the top 18.

Championship leader Maximo Quiles (CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team #28) earned pole at the Dutch GP, but it was a close-run contest as Joel Kelso (GRYD Racing) was forced to settle for second by just 0.025. Completing the front row, rookie Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo #51) took P3.

Saturday
Tissot Sprint

Raul Fernandez (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team) produced a superb Tissot Sprint victory at Assen, charging from fourth on the grid to hit the front early and then resist teammate Ai Ogura to secure a memorable 1-2 for Trackhouse. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team #49) completed the podium after battling past polesitter Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) and Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing).

Ogura grabbed the holeshot from second, but Martin quickly retaliated to retake the lead. Fernandez settled into third as Bezzecchi ran wide from P4, losing out to Diggia, who had already dispatched Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team #93). Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team #63) soon joined the freight train behind them.

Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP #20) held eighth as Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) attacked early, only to run wide and drop outside the top ten, leaving Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3 #23) hunting the Yamaha.

Fernandez struck on Lap 2, passing Ogura at the same spot the Japanese rider had lost the lead a lap earlier. At the final chicane on Lap 3, Fernandez attacked Martin for the lead while Di Giannantonio overtook Ogura for third, the quartet fanning out across the straight. Martin then ran wide on Lap 4, losing out to Diggia and Ogura, who tried to retaliate at the chicane but was denied as Fernandez and Diggia edged clear.

Ogura then set off in pursuit, while the Aprilia Racing pair duelled behind, with Bezzecchi eventually making his move. Marquez, Bagnaia and Bastianini were locked together as Ogura reeled in the leaders.

By five laps remaining, Fernandez had built a gap as Ogura passed Diggia with a clean move at the final chicane, setting up a Trackhouse vs Trackhouse fight for the win. Bezzecchi closed on Diggia for third, while Martin, Bagnaia, Marquez and Bastianini fought over fifth. Acosta climbed from P15 to P9 after his early off-track moment.

On the final lap, Ogura closed the gap but couldn’t quite reach Fernandez, finishing six tenths behind. Diggia held off Bezzecchi for third, while Bagnaia’s last‑lap attempt on Martin fell short by just 0.061. Fernandez claimed a brilliant victory, Ogura secured second and Di Giannantonio completed the podium, leaving Bezzecchi just off the rostrum.

“Normally in the last year we don’t believe a lot on the Sprint [races], but I think we found something and we are quite strong. It is amazing for me and also for the team because it is the first time they are making a 1-2. I know Ai is fast in the last part of the race, and I was on my limit, and we know he had more pace,” Fernandez reflected.

Tissot Sprint Race Results

  1. Raul Fernandez Trackhouse Aprilia
  2. Ai Ogura Trackhouse Aprilia (+0.362s)
  3. Fabio Di Giannantonio Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+1.131s)
  4. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing (+2.161s)
  5. Jorge Martin Aprilia Racing (+4.591s)

Sunday
MotoGP

Makoto Tamada, 2004 Japanese Grand Prix. Twenty‑two years later, MotoGP finally has another Japanese winner, and it came in spectacular fashion. Ai Ogura (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team) stood tallest at the Cathedral of Speed to claim his maiden MotoGP victory in a dramatic Tissot Grand Prix of the Netherlands. Raul Fernandez completed a sensational Trackhouse 1‑2, while Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) took P3 to move to the top of the World Championship after teammate Marco Bezzecchi crashed out early at Turn 15, rider ok.

From pole, Martin briefly lost the lead to Ogura into Turn 1 but cut back to retake control. Ogura and Fernandez settled into P2 and P3, with Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) passing Bezzecchi on Lap 1. On Lap 2, a fierce fight erupted for second as Fernandez and Ogura battled, allowing Marc Marquez to slice through. Ogura was shuffled to P5 behind Fernandez, Marc Marquez and Bezzecchi before huge drama struck. Bezzecchi lost the front through Ramshoek in a violent crash, ending his race and handing Martin a golden title opportunity.

Fernandez then reeled in Martin, as Ogura hunted Marc Marquez. The Japanese rider made a decisive move to take P3 but had over two seconds to close to the leaders. Behind, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Marc Marquez traded blows, with Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) watching closely. Their fight allowed Ogura to escape, while Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #73) and Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) joined the chase.

Acosta then ran wide at Turn 1 and began to slow, later retiring with severe right‑hand discomfort. Bagnaia soon suffered a technical issue and pulled into pit lane.

Ogura’s charge briefly faltered when his rear ride‑height device stuck, costing him crucial time. He freed it a lap later and immediately rejoined the fight. On Lap 17, Fernandez passed Martin at the Geert Timmer chicane, and Ogura followed at Turn 1. By Lap 20, Ogura struck on his teammate cleanly at Turn 9 and began to break clear.

Behind, Marc Marquez and Di Giannantonio clashed twice at the chicane, the first earning Diggia a Long Lap penalty. He recovered to P4 after a late move on Alex Marquez.

“It’s just fantastic, I don’t want to talk so much. There’s not so much to talk about. To win, I’m super happy for my people,” Ogura stated.

MotoGP Race Results

  1. Ai Ogura Trackhouse Aprilia
  2. Raul Fernandez Trackhouse Aprilia (+2.004s)
  3. 3.Jorge Martin Aprilia Racing (+3.512s)
  4. Fabio Di Giannantonio Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+9.315s)
  5. Alex Marquez SPA BK8 Gresini Ducati (+10.140s)

Check out the full MotoGP race results here…

MotoGP Championship Points

  1. Jorge Martin Aprilia Racing – 193
  2. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing – 186
  3. Fabio di Giannantonio Pertamina VR46 Ducati – 177
  4. Ai Ogura Trackhouse Aprilia – 168
  5. Marc Marquez Ducati Lenovo – 153

Moto2

A Moto2 Assen battle for the ages. David Alonso (CFMOTO Azul Marino Aspar Team), Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) and Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #81) delivered a victory fight straight from the Cathedral’s top drawer, settled only at the final chicane. Alonso triumphed by just 0.024s over Gonzalez to claim his first win since the 2025 Hungarian GP, with Agius only 0.234s away in P3.

From the front row, Alberto Ferrandez (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) grabbed the holeshot, and teammate Izan Guevara also edged past Alonso into Turn 1. Agius launched well from P6 to slot into P4, just ahead of Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Azul Marino Aspar Team #96). But by the end of Lap 2, everything changed. Guevara hit the front, Alonso passed Ferrandez and Holgado produced a brilliant two‑for‑one at the final chicane to take P3. One lap later at the Geert Timmer chicane, Holgado stormed into the lead ahead of Alonso and Guevara.

Celestino Vietti (HDR SpeedRS Team #13) crashed at Turn 10 on Lap 3, further denting his bruising weekend. At the front, Alonso retook the lead on Lap 6 and immediately set the fastest lap, stretching his advantage to 0.6s by Lap 8 over Holgado, Guevara, Gonzalez, Agius and Brno winner Ivan Ortola (QJMOTOR – Xeramic – MSI #4). Gonzalez soon carved into P2, and Agius followed by muscling past Holgado for P3.

By Lap 15, Gonzalez’s relentless pace reeled in Alonso. On Lap 17, a small mistake at Turn 5 opened the door for Gonzalez to take the lead, with Agius now under a second behind. The Australian was flying, as Agius was 0.8s quicker than the leaders on Lap 17, and after setting the fastest lap on Lap 18, he made it a three‑rider fight.

Agius struck for P2 on Lap 18, but a mistake at Turn 7 a lap later cost him dearly, allowing Alonso back through. With two laps to go, the top three were split by just 0.3s. At the Geert Timmer chicane, Alonso lunged, Gonzalez defended and Agius tried to sweep past both. Alonso’s moment on exit sat Agius up, letting Gonzalez keep the lead into the final lap.

At the last chicane, Gonzalez went ultra‑defensive. Alonso swept around the outside, Agius tried to launch off the exit but was blocked by his teammate and lost the rear. In the drag to the line, Alonso held off Gonzalez by 0.024s, with Agius 0.234s behind.

Moto2 Race Results

  1. David Alonso CFMOTO Azul Marino Aspar Team
  2. Manuel Gonzalez LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP (+0.024s)
  3. Senna Agius LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP (+0.234s)
  4. Izan Guevara BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 (+2.795s)
  5. Ivan Ortola QJMOTOR – Xeramic – MSI (+4.355s)

Moto2 Championship Points

  1. Manuel Gonzalez Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 185.5
  2. Izan Guevara BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 – 128
  3. Senna Agius LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP – 123
  4. David Alonso CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team – 116
  5. Celestino Vietti HDR SpeedRS Team – 109

Moto3

Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) made it six wins in style at Assen, converting pole into another masterclass to add his name to the Cathedral’s winners’ list. The Championship leader produced a superb late charge to defeat David Almansa (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP #22), while Marco Morelli (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team #97) claimed his second podium of the season. Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo #83) suffered a costly DNF after early contact, slipping 90 points behind Quiles after Round 10.

Quiles grabbed the holeshot into Turn 1 but was immediately attacked by Almansa at Turn 5. The usual Moto3 chaos followed, and on Lap 2 Carpe fell from the lead group after tagging the back of Morelli. Adrian Cruces (CIP GreenPower #11) then collected Carpe, eliminating the #11 while Morelli continued. On Lap 4, Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia #9) briefly hit the front at Turn 12 before Almansa repassed at Turn 15.

By Lap 7, several riders had surged forward. Hakim Danish (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI #13), Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3 #73) and Jesus Rios (Rivacold Snipers Team #54) climbed from deep on the grid into the top six. Pratama, who had led earlier, crashed at Turn 5. At half‑distance, Almansa tried to stretch the field with Quiles glued to him, Danish and Rios forming a four‑rider breakaway ahead of Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing #31).

A messy final chicane on Lap 10 between Rios, Danish and Almansa gave Quiles breathing room, but Almansa reeled him back in by Lap 12. The #22 retook the lead at Turn 14 and set consecutive personal best laps, but Quiles struck back at Turn 8 on Lap 13. Their battle allowed Czech GP winner Danish to close in again from P3.

With five laps remaining, Carpe retired after his earlier incident. Approaching the final three laps, Quiles pulled the pin, but Almansa stayed with him as Danish dropped into a fight for P3. Morelli charged through on worn tyres to secure the final podium spot, though the win was out of reach.

On the last lap, Quiles led Almansa in an all‑Spanish duel. A moment for Almansa at Turn 9 proved decisive, allowing Quiles to take his sixth win of 2026 and extend his lead to 90 points. Almansa’s second podium in three races moves him to third in the standings, with Morelli completing the rostrum. Perrone took P4, matching his COTA result, ahead of a mighty Rios.

Moto3 Race Results

  1. Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team
  2. David Almansa Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP (+0.513s)
  3. Marco Morelli CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team (+2.433s)
  4. Valentin Perrone Red Bull KTM Tech3 (+2.551s)
  5. Jesus Rios Rivacold Snipers Team (+2.921s)

Moto3 Championship Points

  1. Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team – 211
  2. Alvaro Carpe Red Bull KTM Ajo – 121
  3. David Almansa Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 109
  4. Brian Uriarte Red Bull KTM Ajo – 102
  5. Marco Morelli CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team – 102

How Did the Aussies Do?

Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP #43) battled brutal heat and minimal grip throughout Friday at Assen, ending the opening day 19th and facing a tough weekend. Things didn’t get any easier when his Sprint unravelled early, with the low grip compounding a tough Saturday before a technical issue forced him out on lap five.

Miller then admirably dug deep from 19th on Sunday at Assen while managing persistent chattering to fight his way into 12th and salvage points from a demanding Grand Prix.

Senna Agius enjoyed a strong Assen, as he got the ball rolling by bagging P7 on Saturday after displaying some serious pace in qualifying before charging to a hard‑earned third on Sunday, a result that lifts him to third in the Moto2 standings as he continues to build momentum and put together a terrific season.

Joel Kelso had a genuinely excellent weekend at Assen, topping Friday in P1 with a confident return to the sharp end before securing a front‑row start in qualifying with a composed P2. Sunday’s race brought frustration after an early mistake and a post‑race penalty dropped him from sixth to eighth, but the Australian will still extract plenty of confidence and positives from his fine weekend at the office.

 

 

Share this article