Moto2 - Assen

The Moto2 World Championship returns to Assen for the 2026 edition of the Dutch TT. This intermediate class race takes place at the TT Circuit Assen, one of the most historic venues in motorcycle racing. Fans will witness talented riders compete on powerful 765cc machines at a circuit that has hosted Grand Prix racing since 1949. The Moto2 race at Assen offers close competition and showcases the skill of riders who aim to reach the premier class.

The TT Circuit Assen

The TT Circuit Assen sits in Drenthe, Netherlands. The circuit measures 4.555 kilometers in length and features 18 corners. These corners include fast, flowing sections and technical slower turns that test rider ability. The longest straight stretches 560 meters, providing opportunities for overtaking.

The track surface offers excellent grip levels. The layout flows naturally and includes banking in some corners, though modifications have been made for modern safety standards. The final chicane often becomes a focal point for position changes late in races.

The venue accommodates 110,000 spectators, with 60,000 seated positions available. The circuit holds FIA Grade 2 and FIM Grade A homologation, meeting international safety and quality standards.

Race Format and Schedule

The Moto2 class follows a standard race weekend format. Riders participate in two free practice sessions, each lasting 40 minutes. These sessions allow teams to test setups and gather data on tire performance and bike behavior.

Qualifying determines the starting grid positions. The top 14 riders from combined practice times advance directly to Qualifying 2. The remaining riders compete in Qualifying 1, where the four fastest move forward to join the Q2 session. Q2 establishes the final grid order for the top eighteen positions.

The main Moto2 race covers approximately 100 kilometers. Riders complete multiple laps of the Assen circuit, with the exact number determined by the track length and minimum race distance requirements.

Riders and Teams for 2026

The 2026 Moto2 grid features a mix of experienced competitors and new riders moving up from Moto3. Jose Antonio Rueda, the 2025 Moto3 World Champion, joins Red Bull KTM Ajo alongside Collin Veijer. This marks Rueda's first season in the intermediate class.

Ángel Piqueras steps up to MSi, where he partners with Iván Ortolá. The Elf Marc VDS Racing Team fields a completely new lineup with Arón Canet and Deniz Öncü.

Other confirmed entries include Joe Roberts at American Racing Team, Daniel Holgado and David Alonso for Aspar Team, and Izan Guevara with Alberto Ferrandez at BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2. Fantic Racing runs Barry Baltus and Tony Arbolino, while Gresini Racing Moto2 fields Sergio Garcia and Alonso Lopez.

Additional teams include IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia with Mario Aji and Taiyo Furusato, Italtrans Racing Team with Adrian Huertas and Daniel Muñoz, and Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP with Senna Agius and Manuel Gonzalez. RW Racing GP runs Ayumu Sasaki and Zonta van den Goorbergh, SpeedRS Team fields Celestino Vietti and Luca Lunetta, and KLINT Forward Racing includes Alex Escrig and Jorge Navarro.

Technical Specifications

Engine and Power

All Moto2 bikes use a standardized three-cylinder 765cc Triumph engine. This engine produces around 140 horsepower and replaced the previous Honda 600cc unit in 2019. Each rider receives an allocation of seven engines for the complete season.

Chassis and Components

Teams develop their own chassis designs, creating differences in handling characteristics between machines. Kalex and Boscoscuro represent the most common chassis manufacturers in the class. Regulations prohibit titanium use in structural components such as frames, front forks, handlebars, swing arms, and wheel spindles.

Electronics and Tires

A unified electronic management system supplied by the championship promoter ensures equal technology across all teams. This standardization emphasizes rider skill and mechanical setup over electronic advantages.

Pirelli provides tires exclusively for Moto2. For 2026, new standard compounds have been introduced. Rear tires feature soft SC0 and medium SC1 options, while front tires use soft SC1 and medium SC2 compounds. Riders receive eight front and nine rear tires per race weekend. A minimum rear tire pressure of 1.50 bar must be maintained throughout sessions.

Weight and Speed

The combined minimum weight for bike and rider totals 217 kilograms. The motorcycle alone weighs approximately 150 kilograms. Moto2 machines reach top speeds near 295 kilometers per hour on fast circuits like Assen.

History of Racing at Assen

The first Dutch TT race occurred in 1925 on public roads near Assen. This original course measured 28.4 kilometers and included partly brick-paved sections through local villages. Safety concerns and growing popularity led to the construction of a dedicated circuit in 1955. The rapid completion earned it the nickname "The miracle of Assen."

The new circuit initially measured 7.705 kilometers. Multiple modifications and shortenings over subsequent decades brought the track to its current 4.555-kilometer configuration in 2006. These changes improved safety standards while maintaining the character that makes Assen special.

Assen holds a unique distinction among racing venues. It has hosted a Grand Prix motorcycle race every year since the World Championship began in 1949, with only 2020 as an exception due to the pandemic. This unbroken tradition makes it the longest-running event on the calendar.

The race traditionally took place on the last Saturday of June for many decades. In 2016, the event moved to Sunday, aligning with the standard schedule used at most other rounds.

Notable Aspects of the Event

Assen carries several nicknames among racing fans and competitors. "The Cathedral of Speed," "The Cathedral of Motorcycling," and "The University of Two Wheels" all reflect the circuit's importance in motorcycle racing history.

The venue has witnessed many close finishes and memorable moments. The 1975 500cc race saw Barry Sheene awarded victory over Giacomo Agostini after both riders recorded identical times. In 1955, during the inaugural race at the new circuit, 500cc riders staged a strike after their warm-up lap, demanding a larger share of earnings due to the massive crowd attendance.

Two legendary riders achieved remarkable feats at Assen. Jim Redman in 1964 and Mike Hailwood in 1967 each won three Grand Prix races in different classes on the same day, demonstrating exceptional versatility and skill.

The Moto2 race at Assen continues this rich tradition. The circuit layout suits the intermediate class machines well, with a balance of fast sections and technical corners that reward both bravery and precision. The grippy surface allows riders to push hard throughout practice, qualifying, and the race itself.

This event offers fans the chance to see future MotoGP stars develop their craft. Many current premier class riders gained valuable experience competing in Moto2 at Assen, learning the circuit's challenges and building their racecraft. The 2026 field includes several riders who will likely move to MotoGP in coming seasons, making this an important moment in their careers.