The front‑holeshot lowering system will be prohibited at this weekend’s Assen Grand Prix, marking the first MotoGP start without the device. The ban, moved forward from the German round, is paired with a revised grid spacing to curb Turn 1 incidents, while rear ride‑height devices remain permitted for the rest of the season.
Riders offered mixed but pragmatic feedback. Luca Marini welcomed one less thing to disengage at the corner, yet warned crashes won’t disappear. Fabio Quartararo called the change safer, noting wheelies will be trickier but braking more predictable. 2024 champion Jorge Martin said the absence will force riders to manage throttle, clutch and brake more precisely, letting talent shine. Jack Miller put a figure on the impact – about 30 km/h slower into Turn 1 – and argued the removal reduces danger. Marco Bezzecchi accepted the decision but stressed it’s not the sole safety solution, while rookie Diogo Moreira likened the new start to a Moto2‑style launch, expecting more overtaking opportunities.
To smooth the transition, organisers scheduled extra practice starts at Assen, giving teams time to fine‑tune rear‑device settings and adapt to the slower, yet arguably safer, opening laps.
