The pilgrimage to the cathedral of speed
It is finally time to swap the heat of central Europe for the north. MotoGP has landed in the Netherlands, a place where motorcycle racing is not just a sport—it is woven into the very DNA of the country. We are back at the TT Circuit Assen, the legendary Cathedral of Speed, a staple of our calendar since 1949. Aside from the interruption of 2020, this track has hosted us every single year, remaining a true pilgrimage for fans across the globe.
The history here is staggering, especially when you consider the original street circuit once connected the towns of De Haar, Hooghalen, Laaghalen, and Laaghalerveen across a massive 16.5km stretch. While the venue has been heavily modified and slimmed down since a purpose-built track arrived in 1955—with the current layout dating back to 2010—the atmosphere remains untouched. Seeing well over 100,000 fans flood the circuit is a sight that never gets old for any of us who love this machine-obsessed life.
Beyond the racing, the region is a fantastic place to settle in. Whether you find yourself in the university hub of Groningen with its iconic Martini Tower or wandering the quaint streets of Assen itself, the local passion for the Dutch TT is undeniable. It is a unique destination, and quite frankly, there is nowhere else quite like it on the schedule.
