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The test of tropical temperatures on the Assen track turned into an unusual challenge for MotoGP riders. Under weather conditions exceeding 35 degrees Celsius, the practice session, dominated by Aprilia riders, brought both technical difficulties and unexpected accidents. Especially as asphalt temperatures reached dangerous levels, control and motorcycle management on the track became critically important.
Track Conditions and Heat Pressure
The famous Assen circuit in Holland faced challenging conditions, known as one of the northernmost stops on the MotoGP calendar. The fact that the air temperature exceeded 35 degrees Celsius throughout the session turned this practice into an unprecedented test for both riders and motorcycles. As the asphalt temperature approached 55 degrees Celsius, controlling every movement on the track became difficult. This situation, coupled with the falling lap times, further increased the focus on motorcycle control among MotoGP riders. Accidents experienced during previous laps provided clear evidence of how severe these conditions were.
Critical Times and Championship Battle
The practice session revealed important reference times for various riders. Marco Bezzecchi completed the first Free Practice (FP1) lap with the best time, recording a time of 1:31, but this performance was made more difficult by rising temperatures. Two minutes later, Pedro Acosta made a strong start, setting the critical reference time and achieving a result of 1:32.3. This time set the benchmark for the session. Champion Marc Marquez followed suit, securing consecutive best results and bringing his time down to 1:32.145. Despite this, his result was approximately 1.7 seconds behind the lap record set by Champion Fabio Bagnaia in the 2024 season. In the standings, Ducati and Aprilia riders followed each other in the top ranks. Martin, who was 15 minutes behind, watched the Ducati-Lenovo motorcycles driven by Bagnaia and Marc Marquez. In the lower ranks, wildcard rider Augusto Fernandez (Yamaha), Tech3 rider Maverick Vinales, and Zarco’s reserve Cal Crutchlow took their places.
Accidents and Critical Moments
The later stages of the session saw significant activity. Especially during the second lap, Alex Marquez suffered a crash after making an error in a corner at Brno. Marquez, riding for Gresini Racing, managed to return his motorcycle to the garage using his own strength. Additionally, Fermin Aldeguer climbed to third place on the Ducati motorcycle. Our representative, Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, also managed to secure a temporary ninth place with a time of 1:32.9. Trackhouse rider Raul Fernandez set a time of 1:31.813 on the RS-GP motorcycle. During these moments, Aprilia filled the top four positions of the session, while Ai Ogura secured the fastest time and placed in the podium spots. World Champion Marc Marquez improved his result midway through the longest session of the MotoGP, but he finished ninth, behind Fabio Bagnaia and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu.
Red Flags and Q2 Battle
The standings changed once again in the final third of the session. Marc Marquez pulled his time to 1:31.742, securing third place and disrupting the Aprilia quartet. KTM riders followed, with Enea Bastianini rising to tenth place. However, critical moments occurred. Fermin Aldeguer lost control of his Ducati motorcycle on a fast corner and was taken to the medical center. Furthermore, about 20 minutes from the finish, Chaylak Moreira placed in fifth place behind Bagnaia, the Assen specialist. This situation caused the first Ducati to be visible only in sixth place alongside Aldeguer. When the red flag was raised, the fight for the Q2 (Qualifier 2) opportunity reignited. Bezzecchi secured the top spot with a time of 1:31.123, exciting his team. Moments later, Raul Fernandez followed him in second place. However, Martin crashed on Turn 12 four laps before the checkered flag, dropping down. Immediately after, Gresini Racing experienced a major shock; Alex Marquez and his teammate Fermin Aldeguer had a heavy crash at the same location. A red flag was raised to intervene for Marquez. Shortly thereafter, news arrived that the danger had passed. Alex Marquez was alert, but the second Gresini rider was also taken to the medical center as a precaution. When the track reopened, only two laps remained to challenge Aprilia’s lead. Acosta secured third place with a strong final lap. Along with Bastianini, a second KTM rider gained the right to participate in the Q2 session. Our representative, Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, finished the session in 20th place with a time of 1:32.593 after the hot and challenging session. The schedule for tomorrow will continue with the second practice session at 11:10 Turkish time.
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