According to Carlo Pernat, the Dutch Grand Prix has profoundly changed the landscape of the 2026 MotoGP championship. Yes, Aprilia had a historic weekend with an unprecedented 1-2-3 finish at Assen thanks to Ai Ogura, Raul Fernandez, and Jorge Martin. Yes, Jorge Martin has regained the championship lead. But, according to the Italian team manager, the most important information lies elsewhere: Marco Bezzecchi is now facing a level of pressure he has never experienced before.
« Last year, Marco was practically alone in developing Aprilia. Martin was injured, and Savadori was handling the testing. The whole team worked around him, and he was naturally the leader. ", recalls on GPone FeatheredThe situation is completely different today. Martin He's back. World champion 2024, he has once again become an internal benchmark.
And it is perhaps this new competition that is driving Bezzecchi to make unusual mistakes. Martin puts more pressure on him than Marc Marquez himself ", valued Feathered.
The assessment is harsh but is consistent with what the latest Grand Prix have shown.
Since several weeks, Bezzecchi accumulates setbacks: collision with Martin in Hungary (Budapest), disqualification at Brno after his gesture towards a track marshal, then spectacular fall at nearly 200 km/h AssenAll these mistakes have now cost him the top spot in the championship.
Ogura, the big winner of the weekend in Assen according to Pernat
The other strong man of the Dutch weekend is obviously Ai OguraHaving secured his first MotoGP victory, the Japanese rider confirms that he has become much more than just a promising rider.
Feathered However, he admits to not understanding his choice to join Yamaha in 2027. " Leaving Aprilia today leaves me perplexed. " he acknowledges. In view of the current competitiveness of the RS-GP, the question certainly deserves to be asked.
But the switch to 850cc motorcycles in 2027 could completely reshuffle the technical cards, making any prediction particularly difficult.
Feathered also wonders about Marc MarquezFor him, the difficulties encountered at Assen cannot be explained solely by theApriliaHe sees two simultaneous fights in the pilot. Ducati : a physical battle, linked to the after-effects of his injuries, and a technical battle with a GP26 which he still considers difficult to exploit perfectly.
The unusual choice of the soft rear tire to Assen This illustrates, in his view, a constant search for solutions. Nevertheless, despite a difficult weekend, Marquez limited the damage and remains fully in the championship fight.
On one point, it is difficult to contradict Carlo Pernat : MotoGP 2026 has probably never been so unpredictable. Martin, Bezzecchi, Di Giannantonio, Ogura, Marquez, Raul Fernandez and even Pedro Acosta They remain mathematically in the race. The gaps remain small and retirements are increasing.
In this context, pure speed may no longer be enough. The ability to handle pressure, avoid mistakes, and remain physically fit could well make the difference in the second half of the season. And that's perhaps where the championship will ultimately be decided.
The summer break, which will come after the Sachsenringwill be crucial in allowing the body to regenerate. For pilots like Marquez or the unfortunate AldeguerThis rest will be vital. For leaders like Martín et BezzecchiThis period will be one of intense tactical reflection before embarking on the final sprint of a 2026 season that no longer tolerates any major errors.
