The MotoGP 2026 calendar is packed with races, and each Grand Prix has its own schedule according to the local time zone of the circuit. For the upcoming event, the Dutch Grand Prix in Assen, the main race is set to start on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00 PM French time. What changes this year, beyond the schedules, is the technical context: the ban on the holeshot device comes into effect precisely this weekend.
Ban on the holeshot device: what changes at the start in Assen
The Dutch GP 2026 marks a regulatory turning point. It is the first weekend where the holeshot device is banned in MotoGP. This device allowed riders to lower the front or rear of the bike at the start to gain traction and stability in the first few meters.
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Without this system, the start phase becomes more reliant on pure riding skills. The management of the clutch, the throttle control, and body positioning regain a role that technology had partially automated in recent seasons.
For spectators, this means potentially more exciting first laps, with greater variations in positions at the braking of the first corner. Knowing the start time of the MotoGP Grand Prix makes even more sense when the start itself becomes a significant moment of the race.
Further reading : What time does the MotoGP race start today? Complete schedule guide
MotoGP Assen 2026 Schedule: Complete Weekend Program
The weekend format follows the now-standard structure in MotoGP, with a sprint race on Saturday and the Grand Prix on Sunday. Here are the details of the sessions for the premier class:
| Day | MotoGP Session | Time (France) |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, June 26 | Free Practice 1 | 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM |
| Friday, June 26 | Practice | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM |
| Saturday, June 27 | Free Practice 2 | 10:10 AM – 10:40 AM |
| Saturday, June 27 | Qualifying 1 | 10:50 AM – 11:05 AM |
| Saturday, June 27 | Qualifying 2 | 11:15 AM – 11:30 AM |
| Saturday, June 27 | Tissot Sprint (13 laps) | 3:00 PM |
| Sunday, June 28 | Warm Up | 9:40 AM – 9:50 AM |
| Sunday, June 28 | Grand Prix (26 laps) | 2:00 PM |
The Moto3 (11:00 AM) and Moto2 (12:15 PM) races precede the Grand Prix on Sunday. The riders’ parade takes place between 10:00 AM and 10:40 AM.
Why the warm-up matters more than before
The Sunday morning warm-up lasts only ten minutes, from 9:40 AM to 9:50 AM. With the removal of the holeshot device, this short session becomes the last chance to fine-tune suspension and electronic settings related to the bike’s behavior at the start.
Teams that poorly utilize these ten minutes risk paying dearly in the first lap. It is no longer just a simple ceremonial warm-up.
Saturday Sprint and Sunday Grand Prix: two races, two different stakes
The sprint format, introduced in 2023, requires two starts per weekend for each MotoGP rider. The sprint on Saturday at 3:00 PM is contested over 13 laps, compared to 26 for the Grand Prix on Sunday.
The difference is not limited to distance. On Saturday, riders have less data (only one day of practice). On Sunday, the settings are refined, the warm-up has allowed for a final adjustment, and the tire strategy is based on a more solid foundation.
- The sprint awards championship points, but on a reduced scale compared to the Grand Prix
- Track conditions evolve between Saturday and Sunday (rubber laid down, temperatures, wind)
- A rider can win the sprint and fail in the long race if their tires do not last the distance
To follow the entire weekend, Saturday morning’s qualifying determines the grid for both races. Missing qualifying compromises both the sprint and the Grand Prix.
MotoGP 2026 Standings: The Situation Before Assen
As the Dutch GP approaches, the 2026 riders’ standings place Bezzecchi at the top with 180 points. The Italian rides for Aprilia and leads the championship despite his exclusion from the GP of Brno for hitting a track marshal.
Behind him, Jorge Martín and Fabio Di Giannantonio occupy the podium positions in the standings. Marc Márquez, returning from injury, has secured two consecutive victories and climbed to fourth place, 40 points behind the leader.
For the French riders, the situation is more complicated. Fabio Quartararo is in 16th place and aims to return to the top 10. Johann Zarco, affected by injuries to his anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments as well as the medial meniscus, is replaced in Assen by Cal Crutchlow.
The Stakes for Márquez in Assen
Two consecutive victories after returning from injury place Márquez in a rare momentum. Assen, a fast and demanding circuit where direction changes are constant, tests physical condition as much as pure speed. His ability to maintain this pace on such a physical track will provide a clear indication of his ambitions for the rest of the season.
Which Channel to Watch MotoGP in France
Canal+ broadcasts the entire 2026 MotoGP season in France. Practices, qualifications, sprints, and races are accessible on the group’s channels. For viewers without a subscription, some sequences occasionally appear free-to-air, but the Sunday race requires Canal+ access.
- Exclusive broadcaster in France: Canal+
- Full coverage from Friday to Sunday for each Grand Prix
- The official site motogp.com offers a streaming viewing pass (TimingPass) for real-time data
The start of the Dutch Grand Prix, Sunday, June 28 at 2:00 PM, falls at a time accessible for the French public, with no time zone adjustments to manage. Assen is in the same time zone as France. For races in Asia or America, local start times may fall early in the morning or late in the evening, making it essential to consult the official calendar from one race to the next.