Pedro Acosta surged to third on the leaderboard in Friday’s MotoGP practice at Assen on 26 Jun 2026, posting a fast lap that put him on the cusp of the top‑two showdown with Marco Bezzecchi.
What happened?
The hour‑long session unfolded under unusually hot conditions, with Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) taking the early lead and never looking back. Raul Fernandez (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP) held second, while Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) delivered a late‑stage lap that lifted him to P3. The Spaniard’s time was enough to secure a spot in Q2, positioning him well for Saturday’s qualifying sprint.
Who else featured?
Ai Ogura (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP) ran a strong session, briefly topping the charts before Bezzecchi reclaimed the lead. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) cracked the top ten, and Diogo Moreira (Pro Honda LCR) hovered near the cutoff. The session also saw crashes from Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) and Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing), prompting red‑flag interruptions.
Why it matters for Pedro Acosta
Acosta’s P3 finish signals a clear upward trajectory after a mixed start to the season. By moving into Q2, he avoids the pressure of a Q1 scramble and can focus on fine‑tuning his bike for the next day. The result also demonstrates his ability to extract speed in hot weather, a factor that could prove decisive at the fast‑flowing Assen circuit.
What comes next?
Saturday’s qualifying will determine the grid for the Dutch Grand Prix. With Bezzecchi still the man to beat, Acosta will aim to translate his practice momentum into a front‑row start. The weekend’s heat is expected to linger, so tyre management and bike setup will be under the microscope. Fans will be watching closely to see if the Spanish rider can convert his P3 practice performance into a podium finish on race day.