Marc Marquez is calling for urgent changes to the run-off areas at Assen after a series of high-speed MotoGP crashes saw riders launched violently into the air during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend.
Multiple incidents—including frightening off-track moments for Fermin Aldeguer (who suffered a fractured vertebra), Alex Marquez, Jorge Martin, and championship leader Marco Bezzecchi—have renewed debate about gravel trap safety at the legendary Dutch circuit. Bezzecchi’s crash at the ultra-fast Turn 15 was particularly alarming, as he cartwheeled through the gravel and was sent to hospital for precautionary checks.
Marquez, who has repeatedly warned about the dangers of large gravel stones at Assen, stressed that the current run-off areas simply aren’t safe enough:
“Assen is a very nice circuit, but I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—the run-off areas need to be improved. Every rider who goes into the gravel at high speed is flying. Today, Bezzecchi cartwheeled through the gravel; on Friday, Fermin was injured in a normal crash. They need to figure out a solution.”
Luca Marini echoed Marquez’s concerns, pointing out that Bezzecchi was lucky not to hit the barrier and that the shortest solution is to rethink the combination of gravel and grass.
“The corner speed is unbelievable now, and if you crash, there just isn’t enough space. When you put gravel, you start to roll a lot. Maybe more space and some grass, like we saw with Martin’s crash at Turn 12, would help,” Marini said.
Both riders agree the issue needs urgent discussion in the Safety Commission, especially as MotoGP bikes continue to get faster. While the series will switch to smaller 850cc engines in 2027, Marini doubts this alone will solve the problem:
“Even with a Moto2 bike, you could reach the wall. We definitely need to improve that run-off area.”
As MotoGP pushes the limits, rider safety remains paramount—and Assen’s run-off zones are firmly in the spotlight after a weekend of dramatic incidents.
