Marc Marquez delivered another championship-worthy performance by charging from fourth on the grid to win the 2025 Dutch MotoGP Sprint in overcast conditions at Assen. The title leader edged out younger brother Alex Marquez after a close battle, with Marco Bezzecchi securing his first Sprint podium for Aprilia in third.
Marquez wasted no time at lights out, slicing through the pack and nearly seizing the lead before Fabio Quartararo shut the door, brushing his shoulder in the process. But by the end of the opening lap, Marquez forced his way under the Yamaha rider at the final chicane to take control. Alex Marquez followed through moments later, pushing Quartararo down the order.
Bezzecchi then added to Quartararo’s woes by taking third, just before the race settled into a tense rhythm up front. Marc briefly ran wide at the halfway mark, but recovered with a string of fastest Sector 2 laps, holding Alex at bay until the finish.
Quartararo’s challenge ended with a high-speed crash four laps from the end, while Francesco Bagnaia’s Sprint struggles continued as he slipped to sixth behind Fabio di Giannantonio.
Fermin Aldeguer and Pedro Acosta were both hit with long lap penalties for track limits. Acosta, who failed to serve his penalty, received a 3-second post-race penalty, dropping him to ninth.
Elsewhere, Joan Mir crashed out on lap one, while Raul Fernandez retired after early contact with Franco Morbidelli.
Following Friday’s crashes in cooler conditions, all riders opted for soft tyres front and rear for the Sprint. Sunday’s grand prix is expected to see warmer track temperatures over 26 laps.
Honda’s Luca Marini remains sidelined due to injury and is replaced by Aleix Espargaro, while Aprilia test rider Lorenzo Savadori continues to sub for Jorge Martin.
Yamaha will sport a commemorative ‘Noriyuki Haga’ R7 livery on Sunday to mark the brand’s 70th anniversary.
