Who will steal the show during the 92nd Dutch TT? The main players in the world championship look ahead to next weekend’s battle in Drenthe’s cathedral of speed. One thing is certain. Assen has a very special place in the hearts of all drivers.
Ask reigning world champion Francesco ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia, ask last weekend’s winner Jorge Martín or ask Valentino Rossi adept Marco Bezzecchi, who currently ranks third in the World Cup. All three agree: there is something magical about the TT Circuit.
,,As always, this weekend is very special for me”, number one Pecco Bagnaia makes no bones about it. To reinforce his words, he carefully rolls up the sleeve of his right upper arm in front of the flashing and rotating cameras in the press room of the TT Circuit. There, in the form of a meticulously designed tattoo, the layout of the TT Circuit is displayed, complete with the coordinates that tell you where the world-famous piece of asphalt can be found.
‘Lots of respect for this job’
It is evident that Bagnaia has something to do with the Drenthe circuit. The 26-year-old Italian won his first race in Moto3 in 2016, then on a Mahindra. Also in Moto 2 he later won the line in Assen and last year the world champion won the race in MotoGP, then on his lightning fast Ducati.
“I have always had a lot of respect for this job. That was already the case when I first arrived in Assen for the world championship in Moto3”, says Bagnaia. ,,At Mahindra we all went crazy when I won here for the first time. In Moto2 we ran the perfect weekend later at the TT Circuit. I won all sessions and the race. And of course last year was also fantastic when I was able to decide the race from pole position. I like the layout. It seems tailor-made for our Ducatis, who usually always feel so at home in Assen.”
Intense fight
However, the Italian thoroughbred will not make the difference, because close competitors Martín and Bezzecchi also ride a Ducati, the brand that currently predominates in the world championship. ,,It will be an intense battle on Sunday, it will be very exciting” Bagnaia predicts. ,,The competition is fierce and last year it was already very close. Bezzecchi was on my heels and Martin was there to the end. I hope it will be a battle like last weekend at the Sachsenring, but with a different outcome.” Bagnaia finished second in Germany, six hundredth to Jorge Martín.
The 25-year-old speed demon from Madrid has only just recovered from all the festivities after his victory in Germany. ,,I certainly enjoyed the success in the days after my victory”, says Martin. ,,Actually, it is a pity that we have to go back to work this weekend, because I would have liked to celebrate it a bit more extensively. Unfortunately, there was no time for that this week. The focus soon had to return to Assen.”
Make hole smaller
In Drenthe, the Spaniard hopes to add his second victory of the season to his total, so that the gap of sixteen points with Bagnaia is decimated before the summer break. ,,I know that the TT Circuit is one of Pecco’s absolute favourites”, says Martín. ,,I remember staying with him in the camper when he won his first race in Assen. I couldn’t participate myself because of an injury. He was already convinced that it was going to happen. “Today I’m going to win,” he said to me just before the race. And the miracle happened. But it’s not just a favorite track for Pecco. That also counts for me. Hopefully we can fight for the podium again.”
‘Deep down in my heart’
Marco Bezzecchi also wants that. Just like his great teacher Valentino Rossi, who won so many times in Assen and had an unprecedented status with the public, the 24-year-old Italian has also lost his heart to the TT Circuit. “It is definitely a place that is deep in my heart. When I arrived here this week, wonderful memories of my first podium finish immediately came to mind. That gave me a huge boost at the time. This track suits my driving style. It’s fun and beautiful at the same time. Still, I can’t linger in those emotions. I will have to focus completely to get the most out of it this weekend.”
Bezzecchi mainly wants to drive a very consistent weekend. According to the rider of the VR46 Racing Team, this is an absolute condition to be successful within the new MotoGP format, which, in addition to the regular race on Sunday, also includes a sprint race on Saturday afternoon over half the normal race distance. ,,As soon as you loosen the reins a little, you are lost and that will continue throughout the weekend. It is therefore very important to start well and to maintain the high level both days. It’s not easy, but I feel a lot of confidence from the team and I’m ready to show it.”
A broken man
It is again not Marc Márquez’s season. The eight-time world champion arrived in Assen as a broken man. During the previous race weekend at the Sachsenring, the 30-year-old Spaniard crashed no fewer than five times. Then the lights still had to turn green for the main event, but Márquez fit and saved his strength for the TT.
But will that be a success? ,,It was on the edge last weekend, but I have to say that our medical team and the physios have done a good job over the last three days. My ankle was the biggest problem before coming to Assen. It was very swollen, but now I think it’s not insurmountable anymore. Furthermore, my thumb is broken, but it is only the tip. That won’t be the problem either. There is also a tear in my rib. I do feel it when I turn it on, but we’ll see. We’re taking it step by step.”
It was once such a happy marriage between Márquez and Honda, but the love seems all over between the driver and the machine. Still, the Spaniard refers rumors of an imminent split to the realm of fables. ,,The fact that I am here despite all the injuries says enough. That’s because my devotion to Honda is at its maximum. I want to help develop the bike further and into the future with this team.”