MotoGP returns this weekend after three weeks away from the race track following the Italian GP at Mugello, won by Francesco Bagnaia.
The reigning champion took consecutive wins for the first time this year at Mugello, having also won the week before at the Catalan Grand Prix. In addition, Bagnaia was leading when he crashed on the final lap of the Catalan Sprint, and so the Italian arrives to Assen, a circuit whose layout it tattooed on his arm, as the in-form rider of the championship.
After what has been referred to as MotoGP's 'spring break' which began after the Italian Grand Prix, Bagnaia said: "Now, it's back to serious business, and I'm happy to resume the season from Assen, one of my favourite tracks that I also have tattooed on my arm.
"In the last GPs, we have worked well, and my feeling with the Desmosedici has been very good. I am coming from two consecutive wins, three if we also count the Mugello Sprint, so, for sure, there are the conditions to continue to do well. Hopefully, the weather will be good and allow us to work consistently since the first Friday session, but in any case, I am ready to face the weekend in any condition."
Enea Bastianini's 'spring break' was more dramatic than Bagnaia's, as the #23 was announced to be leaving the Ducati Lenovo Team at the end of 2024 to be replaced by Marc Marquez, and was then confirmed to be joining the Tech3 KTM team from next season.
Ahead of this weekend's Dutch TT, Bastianini said: "This long break was needed, but now I really want to get back on track. After my good result in my home race in Italy, I arrive in Holland motivated and charged.
"I had never managed to get on the podium at Mugello in the past, and having succeeded this year, although I still feel I'm missing something, gives me hope for the next races. Compared to the past, I have been more consistent this year: we are working well, and race after race, we continue to grow.
"So, we are close to finding that explosiveness that we still lack, although a step forward has been made. We will work hard from the first session on Friday to be able to fight for the top positions."
