MotoGP Grand Prix of Netherlands 2017: Race Schedule, Live Stream and Top Riders

Maverick Vinales leads the world championship in MotoGP as the season heads to the 2017 Grand Prix of the Netherlands at the TT Circuit Assen on Sunday.

The Movistar Yamaha rider is only seven points clear of Andrea Dovizioso as the Ducati man has been consistent this season.

Marc Marquez's annual charge is yet to catch fire, but the mercurial Spaniard will be hoping to claim a victory in the eighth race of the campaign.

Race Schedule

Sunday, June 25

WUP start: 8:10 a.m. (BST)/3:10 a.m. (ET)

Race start: 12 p.m. (BST)/7 a.m. (ET)

Live stream: BT Sport website (UK), beIN Sports Connect (U.S.)

Top Riders

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As Vinales and Dovizioso have their own private tussle for the lead at the top of the world standings, there is a tight pack crammed with quality behind them ready to strike.

Marquez's second place in Barcelona has kept him in touch, but the reigning world champion will feel his season has truly begun if he is on top of the podium in Assen.

Dovizioso has proved himself as a genuine contender in recent months, but the Italian is refusing to get carried away at this early juncture.

According to Crash.net, Dovizioso was confident ahead of the trip to the Netherlands:

"After two wins on the run in Italy and Spain, it's been a fantastic week for me. Even though I'm second overall in the standings I'm not thinking too much of the championship because there are still a lot of races left and we must continue to work to improve some aspects of our bike. It's true that we have dominated the last two GP and that the Desmosedici GP has gone really well but these were peculiar races, in particular Barcelona. In any case I'm pretty relaxed about everything and also at Assen I'll be trying to get the best result I can."

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Dani Pedrosa and the legendary Valentino Rossi will both be in contention on Sunday, and they are placed fourth and fifth, respectively, in the championship.

Much like last season, Rossi is failing to gain victories, but his consistency sees him very much the title picture.

Cal Crutchlow will be hoping for a good result to celebrate signing a new two-year deal with LCR Honda, per Crash.

The British rider is down in ninth but has the craft to finish high up the field in the Netherlands.

Vinales and Dovizioso are fan favourites at the moment, and both will be trying to extend their necks ahead of the other on Sunday.

However, Vinales' 10th-placed finish in Barcelona was a temporary blip during his personal charge, and he will be desperate to get back to winning ways in the next race.