MotoGP Round 17 2025 Report | Pecco Bagnaia secures double, MM#93 World Champ!

MotoGP Round 17 | Pecco Bagnaia secures sublime double | A poised win. An unbelievable comeback and a home podium for Honda as Joan Mir (#36) added to a day of celebrations at Motegi for round 17 of the MotoGP World Championship of 2025. Report: Ed Stratmann/MotoGP Press

Friday Practice and Saturday Qualifying
MotoGP

Well, that was fun. After a mad dash for Q2 in the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, there was lots to talk about on Friday. Despite two crashes in FP1, it was Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing #72) who headed into Saturday as the rider to beat. The Italian denied Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing #37) the top spot in Practice, with Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team #93) claiming a late P3 after sitting outside the top 10 for most of the hour-long stint.

Read our previous MotoGP reports here… 

The trials and tribulations of Barcelona and Misano now seem like distant memories for Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team #63) as the double MotoGP™ World Champion snatched pole position at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, continuing a weekend that saw him back to his best. Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) put in a stunner to run the #63 close in the battle for pole too, right in contention but forced to settle for second. Still, that equals his best ever qualifying in MotoGP. Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team), meanwhile, completed the front row at Motegi as he faced down championship point on Sunday.

Moto2

Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team #96) just edged out home hero Ayumu Sasaki (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP #71) on Friday in Japan, taking to the top in Moto2™ Practice by a tenth and a half late on after the #71 set the pace for much of the session. Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP #18) completed the top three, earning a place after the session following a tyre pressure infringement that scrubbed off the best lap for Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 #28). Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) hit back in style in Japan, taking pole to lead a duo of rookies as closest challenger Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team #10) was forced to settle for fifth.

Moto3

David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #64) took top honours on Friday, edging out Championship leader Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo #99) by over a tenth and a half – a similar gap to the one behind the duo to the chasing pack. That pack was led by home hero Ryusei Yamanaka (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI #6), who suffered a crash but then headed back out to improve his best lap time.

Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was back on top at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, taking pole position by just under a quarter of a second as he looked to hammer home his advantage ahead of a looming championship point in Indonesia. Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3 #73) impressed once more to take second place following his pole in Misano, with Joel Kelso (LEVELUP – MTA #66) completing the front row after getting denied late on.

Saturday
Tissot Sprint

Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) stormed back to the top with a dominant win in the Tissot Sprint at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan. The reigning double World Champion led from lights to flag, beating teammate Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) by 1.8 seconds to claim his first Sprint victory of the season. Marquez’s P2 result was a major boost in his bid for the 2025 MotoGP title, especially with Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #73) finishing P10 and scoring no points. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) rounded out the podium after a dramatic day.

The race began with Bagnaia grabbing the holeshot from pole. Behind him, chaos unfolded at Turn 1 as Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin (#1) (both Aprilia Racing) crashed out. Martin’s fall, caused by a braking error, resulted in a broken collarbone that ruled him out of Sunday’s race. Early on, Acosta overtook Marc Marquez and then Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) for P2. Meanwhile, Bagnaia began to pull away, building a gap of 1.6 seconds by Lap 6. Marquez struggled initially to pass Mir, but an aggressive move at Turn 10 pushed him into P3 with four laps to go.

Three laps from the end, Turn 10 was the scene again as Marquez lunged past Acosta for second. Alex Marquez, meanwhile, faded to P10, just behind home hero Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team #79), dealing a blow to his slim title hopes. Bagnaia maintained a commanding pace, leading by 2.4s at the start of the final lap. He crossed the line comfortably ahead of Marquez, with Acosta just holding off Mir for P3 by 0.6s.

Mir’s P4 marked a strong showing for HRC on home soil, while Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team #21) rounded out the top five. With the title now firmly within reach, Marquez could clinch it on Sunday – but Saturday belonged to Bagnaia.

“I’m back to doing my favourite races, starting well and pushing and not fighting from behind,” Bagnaia stated.

Tissot Sprint Race Results

1. Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo
2. Marc Marquez Ducati Lenovo (+1.842s)
3. Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM (+3.674s)
4. Joan Mir Honda HRC Castrol (+4.300s)
5. Franco Morbidelli Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+5.130s)

Sunday
MotoGP

Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) returned to winning ways at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, overcoming pressure and technical concerns to take the Grand Prix victory. Despite small puffs of smoke emerging from his bike late in the race, Bagnaia stayed composed and secured his first double win of the season. Behind him, teammate Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) made history by clinching his seventh MotoGP World Championship with a solid second-place finish. This marked an incredible comeback after 2,184 days since his last premier class title, making it one of the greatest returns in sports history.

Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) completed the podium, achieving his first MotoGP podium since 2021 and delivering Honda a home crowd celebration. Mir’s performance capped off a remarkable day at Motegi, adding to the race’s memorable moments. At the start, Bagnaia launched well from pole and took the holeshot ahead of Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), with Marquez holding third. Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) began in seventh, just behind Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing). By Lap 2, Bagnaia led Acosta by 0.7 seconds, while Mir had recovered to fourth after dropping to sixth on the opening lap. Lap 3 saw Bagnaia extend his lead to 1.2 seconds, with Marquez closely following in third.

An early retirement for Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol #10) left Mir as Honda’s main podium hope, closing in behind Marquez by less than half a second. By Lap 6, Bagnaia’s lead stretched past two seconds, while Mir began closing the gap to Marquez after some small errors from the championship contender. On Lap 11, Marquez overtook Acosta for second and set a pace close to Bagnaia’s, who was 3.7 seconds ahead by Lap 13. Mir continued to pressure Acosta, with Bezzecchi eyeing a podium in fourth.

Mir eventually passed Acosta on Lap 16, as smoke appeared again from Bagnaia’s Ducati. Though concerning, the issue did not slow Bagnaia significantly, and he maintained a 4.1 second lead. Acosta’s challenge faded as Bezzecchi and Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) passed him. With seven laps to go, Marquez was in position to secure the title, sitting comfortably in second while Mir held third.

Bagnaia’s bike emitted more smoke with four laps remaining, and his lead began to shrink to 2.8 seconds. Despite this, Bagnaia remained unaware and focused. Two laps from the finish, he led Marquez by two seconds. On the final lap, with no threat from behind, Marquez guided it home to second, sealing the championship. Bagnaia crossed the line first, proving he’s back at his best, while Mir secured third for Honda. Bezzecchi finished fourth, just ahead of Morbidelli, showing progress for Aprilia and the VR46 squad.

Marquez’s seventh MotoGP title marks a triumphant end to years of struggle, surgeries and determination – the longest gap between premier class crowns in history. Meanwhile, Bagnaia’s win confirms his return to form, setting the stage for next season’s battles.

“I don’t want to take any spotlight from Marc, he deserves the spotlight today,” Bagnaia said. “In any case I’m happy, it’s just a shame that it happened now. But happy for the weekend and performance, and I hope from now on I will continue in this way because like this, I can fight.”

MotoGP Race Results

1. Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo
2. Marc Marquez Ducati Lenovo (+4.196s)
3. Joan Mir Honda HRC Castrol (+6.858s)
4. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing (+10.128s)
5. Franco Morbidelli Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+10.421s)

Check out the full MotoGP race results here…

MotoGP Championship Points

1. Marc Marquez BK8 Gresini Ducati – 541
2. Alex Marquez Ducati Lenovo – 340
3. Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo – 274
4. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing – 242
5. Franco Morbidelli Pertamina VR46 Ducati – 196

Moto2

Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team #27) delivered a commanding performance to claim his second win of his rookie season at Motegi. Taking the lead on Lap 2, Holgado pulled away to finish ahead of Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) and Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team). Title leader Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) faced challenges after serving a Long Lap Penalty for a collision with Celestino Vietti (Beta Tools SpeedRS Team #13), but still maintained a 34-point lead heading to Indonesia by finishing fifth.

Moreira had an explosive start, jumping from fifth to lead through Turns 1 and 2, overtaking Holgado, who initially had the holeshot. Gonzalez, the polesitter, struggled early and dropped to ninth by the end of the first lap. On Lap 2, Holgado reclaimed the lead from Moreira, who was closely followed by Tony Arbolino (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 #14) and Dixon. Gonzalez fought with Vietti on Lap 4, but their battle ended with a crash at Turn 10, forcing Vietti out and earning Gonzalez a Long Lap Penalty. Moreira’s early momentum faded as he lost places to Arbolino and Dixon, while Holgado pulled ahead by more than three seconds.

After serving his penalty, Gonzalez dropped from seventh to ninth, with Moreira in fourth but under pressure from David Alonso (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team #80). Dixon took second on Lap 10, trailing Holgado by over four seconds. With five laps remaining, Moreira overtook Arbolino, but Alonso soon moved into fourth. Gonzalez mounted a comeback, advancing to fifth by the penultimate lap. Holgado remained untouchable for the win, with Dixon second and Moreira holding off Alonso for third. Gonzalez finished fifth, maintaining his championship lead, but Moreira narrowed the gap by five points.

Moto2 Race Results

1. Daniel Holgado CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team
2. Jake Dixon Elf Marc VDS Racing (+1.304s)
3. Diogo Moreira Italtrans Racing Team (+5.943s)
4. David Alonso CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team (+5.985s)
5. Manuel Gonzalez Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP (+8.426s)

Moto2 Championship Points

1. Manuel Gonzalez Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 238
2. Diogo Moreira Italtrans Racing Team – 204
3. Aron Canet Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 189
4. Barry Baltus Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 182
5. Jake Dixon Elf Marc VDS Racing – 172

Moto3

Fortune favoured the brave at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan as David Muñoz (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) took a commanding Moto3™ victory in tricky conditions. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) delivered a late-race surge to finish second, keeping his championship hopes alive heading to Indonesia, while Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team #28) held off Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) for third, securing his eighth podium of the year.

Rueda and Perrone made strong starts from the front row, with Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia #72) charging to an early third on home soil. Joel Kelso (LEVELUP – MTA), Muñoz, Quiles and Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo #83) worked their way through the pack. On Lap 2, Kelso passed Rueda for the lead, followed by Muñoz, while Quiles and Perrone pushed Rueda down to fifth. David Almansa (Leopard Racing #22), starting from the back, set the fastest lap and joined the leaders.

Rain spots added spice as the lead changed hands frequently. Quiles grabbed the lead on Lap 4, but Kelso’s charge faltered after contact with Almansa at Turn 10, dropping him outside the top 10. By Lap 8, Muñoz led by a second, with rain intensifying and the group splitting. Championship rivals Rueda and Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI #36) found themselves further back in ninth and tenth. Furusato crashed out twice, ending hopes of a home podium. With six laps left, Muñoz led Perrone by 1.5 seconds, with Quiles close behind. Rueda fought his way into the top five amid battles with Leopard teammates.

Drama struck as Piqueras crashed but remained in the points, while Almansa’s crash ended his impressive run. In the final laps, Rueda snatched second from Quiles, who held off a late attack from Perrone to take third. Muñoz claimed a stunning third win of the season, with Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing #31) fourth and home favourite Ryusei Yamanaka (Honda Team Asia) sixth.

Moto3 Race Results

1. David Munoz Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP
2. Jose Antonio Rueda Red Bull KTM Ajo (+1.618s)
3. Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team (+2.203s)
4. Valentin Perrone Red Bull KTM Tech3 (+2.336s)
5. Adrian Fernandez Leopard Racing (+3.853s)

Moto3 Championship Points

1. Jose Antonio Rueda Red Bull KTM Ajo – 315
2. Angel Piqueras FRINSA – MT Helmets – 222
3. Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team – 204
4. David Munoz Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 197
5. Alvaro Carpe Red Bull KTM Ajo – 157

How Did the Aussies Do?

It was a tough weekend for Jack Miller (#43) at Motegi. He showed promise in the Sprint, charging from 14th on the grid to nearly crack the top ten before crashing on the final lap while running 11th. Unfortunately, Sunday was even harsher, as he was forced to retire just three laps from the finish after his chain snapped. Senna Agius’ (#81) Motegi certainly didn’t go as planned, for after struggling all weekend, he frustratingly crashed in the race on lap three to end an unsatisfactory round.

Following his brilliant P3 in qualifying, Aussie flyer Joel Kelso recorded a strong eighth in the race despite an untimely contact with Almansa and the rain hindering him from finishing higher. Despite starting 20th, Jacob Roulstone (#12) put in an admirable effort in the main race, fighting his way back to 13th despite being involved in an early incident that dropped him to the back of the field.