The rider market steals the spotlight in Assen
It is barely a week since the chaos in Brno, and we have already landed at the Cathedral of Speed for Round 10 of 2026. Usually, our focus here in Assen would be solely on the upcoming track action for the Tissot Grand Prix of the Netherlands, but Thursday was completely consumed by the 2027 season. The news from Ducati Lenovo Team and Aprilia Racing has shifted the entire landscape of the paddock.
The big talk involved Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati Lenovo Team, alongside Pedro Acosta from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. Marc Marquez shared his gratitude that Ducati believed in him even during his injuries, while Pedro Acosta expressed that teaming up with Marquez is an honour. Meanwhile, Francesco Bagnaia confirmed he pushed for the move to Aprilia to become Bezzecchi’s teammate. Even Davide Tardozzi of Ducati Lenovo Team weighed in, calling the decisions regarding his current riders easy while reflecting on Bagnaia's departure.
