Le premier départ du Sprint d’Assen marquera une rupture historique. Pour la première fois depuis plusieurs saisons, les pilotes MotoGP s’élanceront sans le dispositif de holeshot sur la roue avant, interdit en urgence par la Grand Prix Commission quelques jours seulement avant le rendez-vous néerlandais.
On paper, the objective is simple: slow down the approach to the first corner to limit the risk of collisions. In reality, the paddock is far from convinced that this equation is so simple. AssenThe practice runs carried out on Friday revealed one thing above all: No one knows yet whether MotoGP has just become safer… or whether it has simply moved the problem elsewhere.
The argument put forward by those promoting this decision is nonetheless sound. By eliminating the artificial compression of the front fork, motorcycles accelerate less efficiently and arrive at the first braking point significantly slower. This is precisely what is emphasized George Martin that holds the top spot. " The most important thing will be that departures are safer and that we were approaching the first bend at a reduced speedThese are the main reasons for this measure. »
The world champion, however, adds an element that many consider almost a return to the fundamentals of driving. I believe that the skill of the pilots will once again become paramount.. Il faut doser l’accélérateur avec précision, ainsi que le frein arrière et l’embrayage. Avant, il suffisait d’accélérer à fond et de relâcher l’embrayage »
Same feeling among Diogo MoreiraThe Brazilian rookie is rediscovering sensations similar to those he experienced in Moto2. On doit maintenant davantage jouer avec l’embrayage et le frein arrière »
alex rins partage cette lecture. Lui qui a connu le MotoGP avant l’apparition du holeshot considère presque cette évolution comme un retour en arrière bienvenu. « Quand j’ai commencé ici, tous ces dispositifs n’existaient pas. I think it will be a little safer now »
fabio quartararo The picture is more nuanced. Yes, speeds will likely be lower entering the first corner. But the motorcycle also becomes much more unstable during acceleration. The starts will be a little trickier again because there are more wheelies.. »
First practice starts with no front holeshot device, different outcomes 😅🚀#DutchGP 🇳🇱 | #MotoGP pic.twitter.com/3mhcK1rZi8
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) June 26, 2026
Un premier vrai test ce samedi lors du départ du Sprint à Assen
Le Français résume parfaitement le dilemme. « Cela pourrait même être more dangerous in a straight line, but it will be safer at the braking point of the first corner"This is precisely what is fueling the concerns of several pilots." Raul fernandez does not hide his reservations after testing the new start at Brno then Assen that holds the top spot. " Without this device, the motorcycle is much more prone to wheelies. We will see many more wheelies and changes of direction. That's why it could be even worse. »
Fabio DiGiannantonio I share this analysis. For the pilot VR46Some circuits with a short distance between the grid and the first corner could become particularly tricky. Si la roue avant quitte le sol au moment du freinage, there is a risk of locking the front wheel. » L’Italien rappelle d’ailleurs qu’il n’était pas favorable à cette suppression. « I thought the holeshot was acceptable, including from a safety perspective.. »
In response to these criticisms, Jack Miller oppose une vision beaucoup plus pragmatique. L’Australien estime que les chiffres parlent d’eux-mêmes. « It's impossible to say that it's more dangerous now. After all, we approach the first bend at 30 km/h less »
According to him, wheelies have always been an integral part of motorcycling. We've had them for thirty years. It's just a matter of physics. » Miller goes even further by denouncing a procedure that has become artificial with the old systems. It seemed to me quite simply against nature de devoir freiner brusquement de l’avant pour désactiver le système après le départ »
Luca marini He shares this approach while acknowledging a reality that no one can change. Accidents at the first turn will not disappear completely. » Car le premier freinage restera toujours l’endroit où chacun tentera de gagner plusieurs positions d’un seul coup.
Even Francis Bagnaia, pourtant satisfait de la disparition du système, apporte une réserve intéressante. « Les départs sont beaucoup plus faciles maintenant. Cela signifie aussi que tout le monde peut prendre un bon départ. Et cela pourrait, par conséquent, nous rapprocher encore davantage au premier virage. »
In other words, reducing speed does not necessarily guarantee a reduction in risks if more motorcycles arrive simultaneously at the same place. Marco Bezzecchiwho, until recently, advocated for the complete removal of all vehicle trim control devices, now prefers to wait and see what happens. I think we won't have a truly clear answer until the start of tomorrow's sprint. »
Le MotoGP This marks a new technical chapter, but no one yet knows if safety will truly benefit. Engineers have lost an assistance tool. Drivers have regained greater control. The question now is whether this return to pure driving skill will be enough to make the opening meters of a race less dangerous… or simply more unpredictable.
