It’s no fault of the world championship that MotoGP has endured a three-week break before a back-to-back between the Netherlands this weekend and Germany immediately afterwards – which precedes the customary three-week summer shutdown in July.
The Italian has the map of the revered Dutch track – and its geographic coordinates – tattooed on his right arm, a permanent reminder of his mastery of one of the sport’s most enduring circuits, and its significance to his career. With Acosta being promoted alongside incumbent Brad Binder after a superb rookie campaign with sister team Tech3, Miller was keen to continue with KTM’s second squad, branded as GasGas and running identical RC16 machines to its ‘A-team’ this season.
“It’s about weighing up what I want, what the project has to offer. Going to a Ducati is very, very interesting because I know the bike very well, I know the structure very well. I have no doubts I can get back on that bike and be inside the top five almost instantly.” Miller hasn’t finished a Grand Prix in the points since he was 13th in Texas in round three. Like Miller, Jorge Martin arrived in Assen less than happy with his current employer, after the post-Mugello rider market fireworks that sawjust a day after it was made clear to him on Sunday night after the Italian Grand Prix that he’d been overlooked for Marquez.
“I wasn’t the decision or the best solution for Ducati, but I took the best opportunity I could. I think I will be much happier next years where I go and I also will be a factory rider, that was my dream.While the prospect of Martin winning the title and taking the number 1 plate reserved for the world champion to a rival manufacturer has many in the paddock wondering if he’ll be given a fair chance by Ducati to end the year on top, the Spaniard was quick to dismiss that theory.
With Ducati set to downsize to six bikes for 2025 – Yamaha would join KTM, Honda and Aprilia with four entries per race if Pramac switches manufacturers – Espargaro suggested the sport as a whole would benefit. Pramac has used Ducati machinery since 2005, but could switch to Yamaha for next season. A rider more pleased than most to be back at Assen was Bezzecchi, as the Italian has been a disappointment this season after winning three Grands Prix for the Valentino Rossi-run VR46 Ducati team last year to finish third in the world championship.