Marc Marquez has set his sights on simply surviving the TT Circuit Assen, acknowledging that the fast, narrow 4.54‑km layout will test even the most seasoned riders.
Top‑10 target, not a win chase
After back‑to‑back Sunday victories at Balaton Park and Brno, the Ducati factory rider entered the Dutch GP with a clear mental shift: “The target was top 10,” Marquez told reporters. “I saw the lap time acceptable, so I hit the box and focused on staying in the race.” He described Friday’s practice where a small crash at Turn 16 left him 0.3 seconds shy of the leaders and forced a brief garage stop amid a red flag.
Assen’s reputation beats favouritism
Marquez admitted the Assen circuit is a double‑edged sword. “It’s too fast, too narrow, and the run‑throughs are full of gravel and big rocks the rules say you can’t miss,” he said. “A small mistake can cost a lot.” He highlighted that his previous wins here—his first in MotoGP’s third season and later successes with Honda in 2018—did not always guarantee an easy run; the track’s “super high risk” has always required polished precision.
Professional mindset, no romanticising
The Spaniard’s approach remains politically neutral. “I’m not riding comfortably, but I’m riding okay,” he said, noting that while the T1 turns felt fine, he struggled with T2, T3 and T4. “We are professionals; we have to give 100% on each of the 22 circuits.” He recalled winning last year’s sprint and main races, but this year he is realistic: “I won races here, but this track is still very fast, narrow, and rough. We need to survive, not risk it.”
While rain remains a hope that could soften the course, weather forecasters predict dry conditions, reinforcing his resolve to navigate Assen’s challenges head‑on.
Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / Getty Images
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