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WorldSBK Round 12 | Toprak Razgatligolu secures WorldSBK title

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WorldSBK Round 12 | Razgatligolu secures WorldSBK title | The final day of the WorldSBK season saw the World Championship decided in Toprak Razgatlioglu’s favour. The ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team made it back-to-back titles. here is our season finale report: Ed Stratmann/WorldSBK

Friday practice
WorldSBK

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #11) topped the timesheets on Friday at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, Andalucia, as the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship’s final round of the year kicked off in Spain. Bulega didn’t have Friday all his own way after hitting technical trouble in Free Practice 2, as he claimed top spot ahead of Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) at the Pirelli Spanish Round.

Read our previous WorkdSBK round reports here…

WorldSSP

With the Riders’ Championship wrapped up, the FIM Supersport World Championship’s riders returned to Spain for the final round of their season at the beloved Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, Andalucia. The Pirelli Spanish Round looked like it would host a thrilling final chapter as Mattia Casadei (Motozoo ME Air Racing #40) took pole in the Tissot Superpole session. The Italian was joined on the front row by Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team #61) and Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura #51), the latter making his return to the front row for the first time in five rounds.

Saturday
WorldSBK

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) set a lap time that left jaws dropped in Tissot Superpole for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship as he claimed pole at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, Andalucia. He was the only rider in the 1’36s bracket, as he obliterated his own lap record from last year on the way to beating Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) to P1 on the timesheets.

WorldSBK Race 1

The 2025 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship title race will go down to the wire after Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) dominated Race 1 at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, Andalucia, beating Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) by nearly four seconds. Bulega converted his pole into victory, remaining unbeaten on Saturday, while Razgatlioglu finished second but couldn’t clinch the championship early.

Razgatlioglu got a strong start and took the lead at Turn 1, but Bulega quickly responded and seized control by the opening sector. Razgatlioglu dropped down the order but fought back to P2 after passing Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven #29) at Turn 6. However, Bulega had already opened a two-second gap, lapping consistently in the 1’38s while Razgatlioglu stayed in the 1’39s. Bulega cruised to his 18th WorldSBK career win, while Razgatlioglu’s second place marked his 25th consecutive podium, tying Colin Edwards’ all-time record. Razgatlioglu now needs just three points in Sunday’s races to secure the title.

The battle for third was intense, with Iannone leading early but under pressure from Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team #22) and Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC #97). Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #19) was working his way up the field. Lowes often challenged Iannone through Turns 12 and 13, but Iannone held firm. By Lap 11, Bautista made a bold move at Turn 13, passing Vierge and Lowes to reach P4. Bautista’s attack on Iannone at Turn 13 on Lap 13 saw him briefly take third, though a mistake at Turn 2 dropped him back behind Iannone and Vierge.

Bautista reclaimed third at Turn 6 on Lap 15, strengthening his championship standing with a record sixth consecutive P3 finish. Meanwhile, Vierge pressured Iannone for fourth, eventually passing him at Turn 13 on Lap 18, though Iannone fought back on Lap 19 after Vierge ran wide. Iannone held on to fourth by the finish.

“On Saturday we made a step with the bike. In the morning, we had an incredible lap in the Superpole, and in Race 1 we did very well. I’m happy with my Saturday, and we’ll see about Sunday,” Bulega said.

WorldSBK Race 1 Results

  1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
  2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +3.766s
  3. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +9.569s
  4. Andrea Iannone (Team Pata Go Eleven) +11.221s
  5. Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC) +12.272s

WorldSSP Race 1

The FIM Supersport World Championship’s penultimate race at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto saw Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing #62) continue his dominant season with his 19th podium, claiming victory. He was joined by rookie Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team #52), who scored his second career podium in P2, and Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team), who tied Nicolo Bulega for ninth on the all-time WorldSSP podium list with 30 finishes.

At the start, Oncu took the holeshot ahead of Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) and Mattia Casadei (Motozoo ME Air Racing). On Lap 2, Oncu forced Casadei wide at Turn 6, pushing him back to P8; this move was deemed irresponsible riding by the FIM Stewards, resulting in a penalty that dropped Oncu two positions after he eased off on the back straight. Masia and Manzi then passed him, with Manzi capitalising on Oncu’s penalty to move into the lead.

Manzi later set his sights on Alcoba, making a decisive late-race pass to take the win. Alcoba pushed hard in the second half and led into the final lap but ran wide at Turn 13, allowing Manzi to reclaim the lead. Oncu, despite a strong start, struggled with pace in the closing stages, finishing fourth. However, a track limits penalty dropped Masia from the podium to P4, promoting Oncu to third.

Masia had looked strong early, challenging Manzi and Oncu for the lead, but his final corner mistake cost him a podium finish. Alberto Surra (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team #76) impressed by moving from P10 to finish fifth, while Casadei, after being forced wide by Oncu early on, was unable to recover and settled for sixth.

WorldSSP Race 1 Results

  1. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing)
  2. Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team) +0.051s
  3. Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) +0.329
  4. Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) +0.400s
  5. Alberto Surra (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) +1.625s

Sunday
Superpole Race

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) claimed victory despite a collision with Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) in the Tissot Superpole Race for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. The pair came together at Turn 5 on the opening lap, with the title fight going to Race 2 at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, Andalucia, with Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven) completing the podium at the Pirelli Spanish Round.

The title race took a HUGE twist when Bulega and Razgatlioglu collided at Turn 5, with ‘El Turco’ sliding into the gravel and out of the race. The incident was placed under investigation by the FIM WorldSBK Stewards, with the #11 given a Long Lap Penalty for irresponsible riding. Bulega went on to take victory and take 12 points out of Razgatlioglu’s Championship lead even after his penalty, while Razgatlioglu would start Race 2 from the fourth row in tenth place. The reigning Champion held a 22-point lead over Bulega heading into Race 2, meaning Bulega had to win with a non-score for Razgatlioglu to claim the title: ‘El Turco’ needed to lose 22 points or fewer to win the title, with countback going in his favour. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) battled his way up to second, ahead of Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven) who completed the podium.

Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC) once again fought for a podium, finishing in fourth place behind ‘The Maniac’ as he closed the gap on Iannone throughout the final few laps. However, he also had to resist a challenge from Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) to hold on to P4, with the #22 finishing fifth.

Superpole Race Results

  1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
  2. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +4.055s
  3. Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven) +5.236s
  4. Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC) +6.484s
  5. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +6.900s

WorldSBK Race 2

Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) secured his third MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship title with a podium finish in Race 2 at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, as Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) claimed victory to complete a Pirelli Spanish Round hat-trick. Starting tenth, Razgatlioglu finished third, clinching the championship in the final race of the season.

Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) led early at Turn 1 ahead of Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC), while Bulega dropped from P1 to P3 but quickly passed Vierge and Bautista to take the lead by Lap 2. Razgatlioglu steadily climbed from tenth to sixth by Lap 2, knowing he needed just three points to secure the title. He moved into fifth on Lap 4, then into fourth on Lap 6, and claimed third from Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha #55) on Lap 9, closing in on the podium as Bulega pulled away.

Bulega maintained a gap of over 3.5 seconds, but Bautista reduced it to 1.8 seconds by the finish. Bulega’s win secured Ducati the Manufacturers’ Championship and marked his 20th WorldSBK victory. Bautista rounded out the season with his 21st podium and 128th WorldSBK career podium. Razgatlioglu leaves WorldSBK as a three-time World Champion and joins an elite group moving to MotoGP alongside Carl Fogarty, Troy Bayliss and Jonathan Rea.

Behind the leaders, a fierce battle for fourth unfolded. Vierge briefly took fourth on Lap 10, with Locatelli responding. Both ran wide at Turn 13, allowing Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) to slip through, but he later ran wide at Turn 1, dropping to sixth. Locatelli ultimately edged Vierge by 0.098 seconds to claim fourth in a tight contest among future Yamaha teammates.

“The feeling is amazing. This weekend was a bit stressful because everything was going very well, especially on Saturday. Today I came to the track more relaxed, just needing a P7 in the Tissot Superpole Race, but we crashed in Turn 5. After that, I stayed calm and just focused on Race 2 because I just needed a strong performance there. In the end, we won the title,” Razgatlioglu reflected.

WorldSBK Race 2 Results

  1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
  2. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +1.793s
  3. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +6.339s
  4. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +8.833s
  5. Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC) +8.931s

Championship Points

  1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 616 points
  2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 603
  3. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 337
  4. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) 310
  5. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) 284

WorldSSP Race 2

In what was the final event of the FIM Supersport World Championship’s 2025 campaign, and while Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) had already locked up the Riders’ Championship, the field didn’t pull any punches. Race 2 of the Pirelli Spanish Round at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, Andalucia, saw Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) top the final podium of the season for his second WorldSSP win. Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing #69) closed his campaign strong in P2 with his ninth podium of the season, ahead of P3 finisher Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing), who capped off his time in WorldSSP with his 20th rostrum result this crusade, one podium shy of Nicolo Bulega’s 2023 record. With the #51’s win, he overcame Booth-Amos’s two-point Championship lead to usurp the bronze medal from the fourth-year British rider.

At lights out, the front row maintained their positions on T1. In the run across the line to start Lap 2, Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) took the race lead from Oncu, kicking off a scrap at the front over the first third of the contest between Masia, Oncu, Manzi, Roberto Garcia (GMT94-YAMAHA #37) and Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing). With seven laps to go, Masia emerged at the front of the pack with more than a second of margin between him and Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) behind him. Masia’s pace was very impressive, sticking lap after lap within the low 1’43’s. Booth-Amos looked as good as he had all season, battling with Manzi as the remaining laps ticked down. After a very tight final lap, Booth-Amos beat out the incumbent Champion in a mad dash to the line, shuffling the #62 to P3 while the #69 took P2. Unfortunately for the Englishman, however, with Masia’s win, he outscored the Brit by five points, enough to topple his two-point lead and boot Booth-Amos down to a P4 finish in the Riders’ Championship.

Can Oncu’s (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) pace fell off from Masia and the lead group as the race progressed; however, he did enough to claim P4. Oettl came out the faster of his protracted duel with Garcia, but in their battle, they let Mattia Casadei (Motozoo ME Air Racing) past for P5.

WorldSSP Race 2 Results

  1. Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura)
  2. Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) +3.255s
  3. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +3.262s
  4. Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) +6.089s
  5. Mattia Casadei (Motozoo ME Air Racing) +6.999s

Championship Points

  1. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) 466
  2. Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) 372
  3. Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) 265
  4. Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) 262
  5. Valentin Debise (Renzi Corse) 200

WorldSSP300
WorldSSP300 Race 1

The penultimate FIM Supersport 300 World Championship race in the category’s history was a spectacle to behold with plenty of drama as the field took to the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, Andalucia, in their final Pirelli Spanish Round.

After a red flag stoppage, Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300 #91) again led the field across the line for his third win in four races. David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI #38) followed him across the line as he took home critical Riders’ Championship points and was tailed by Daniel Mogeda (Pons Motosport Italika Racing #88) in P3. A better ending to the WorldSSP300 Championship couldn’t be written, as the stage was set for a winner-takes-all three-way Race 2 on Sunday.

WorldSSP300 Race 1 Results

  1. Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300)
  2. David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) +0.019s
  3. Daniel Mogeda (Pons Motosport Italika Racing) +0.248s
  4. Antonio Torres (Team ProDina XCI) +0.438s
  5. Pepe Osuna (ZAPPAS-DEZA-BOX 77 Racing Team) +0.513

WorldSSP300 Race 2

The final FIM Supersport 300 World Championship season was sent out with a bang as the title-deciding Race 2 came down to the final sector to proclaim Benat Fernandez (Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove #7) the race winner and 2025 World Champion. After a litany of penalties, Daniel Mogeda (Pons Motosport Italika Racing) took home his fourth podium of the season in second and Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki #71) closed his 2025 with a fourth WorldSSP300 podium.

WorldSSP300 Race 2 Results

  1. Benat Fernandez (Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove)
  2. Dani Mogeda (Pons Motosport Italika Racing) +0.404s
  3. Antonio Torres (Team ProDina XCI) +0.450s
  4. Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing) +0.500s
  5. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) +0.735s

Championship Points

  1. Benat Fernandez (Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove) 231
  2. Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki) 213
  3. David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) 203
  4. Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300) 191
  5. Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing) 168

WorldWCR
WorldWCR Race 1

The FIM Women’s World Circuit Racing World Championship took to the track for their penultimate race of the competition’s second season at the Pirelli Spanish Round.

And it was Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team #6) who benefitted from a dramatic final lap to top the podium for the sixth time this season. Chloe Jones (GR Motorsport #15) followed her home in P2 for her fifth second-place result of the season and Beatriz Nelia (Ampito Crescent Yamaha #36) was leading the race into the final lap, then finished in P4, but a penalty sent her back up onto the podium in P3.

With these results, Herrera headed into the final race on Sunday with a 15-point lead over Neila, and Jones increased her lead for P3 ahead of Roberta Ponziani (Klint Forward Racing Team #96) by a further three points.

WorldWCR Race 1 Results

  1. Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team)
  2. Chloe Jones (GR Motosport) +0.291s
  3. Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) +1.114s
  4. Paola Ramos (YVS Sabadell) +2.686s
  5. Roberta Ponziani (Klint Forward Racing Team) +5.503s

WorldWCR Race 2

The FIM Women’s World Circuit Racing World Championship came all the way down to the wire as the deciding Race 2 at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, Andalucia, crowned Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team) as the 2025 World Champion!

18-year-old wildcard Paola Ramos (YVS Sabadell #58) capped off her debut weekend by winning the final race of the season. Joining her on the final podium of the Pirelli Spanish Round was Beatriz Nelia (Ampito Crescent Yamaha), who took her 12th podium of the season, placing both second in the race and the Championship.

Claiming her second podium of the season, Lucie Boudesseul (GMT94-YAMAHA #17) finished in third place to see off the 2025 WorldWCR campaign.

WorldWCR Race 2 Results

  1. Paola Ramos (YVS Sabadell)
  2. Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) +9.578s
  3. Lucie Boudesseul (GMT94-YAMAHA) +9.678s
  4. Pakita Ruiz (PR46+1 Racing Team) +9.803s
  5. Chloe Jones (GR Motosport) +10.032s

Championship Points

  1. Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team) 245 points
  2. Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) 240
  3. Chloe Jones (GR Motosport) 164
  4. Roberta Ponziani (Klint Forward Racing Team) 156
  5. Sara Sanchez (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR Team) 126

How did the Aussies Do?

Remy Gardner (#87) impressed in Superpole with a strong sixth (later promoted to fifth) on the grid and overcame a rear brake issue in Race 1 to finish a determined eighth after fighting in the podium group early on. Then, on Sunday, Gardner showed resilience after an early crash in the Superpole Race, battling through shoulder pain to finish 11th in Race 2 with a determined and steady performance.

PTR Triumph’s Oli Bayliss (#32) suffered bad luck again, retiring on lap 10 due to a technical issue while running P20 in the opening race. Starting from the same grid spot for the second bout, he frustratingly struggled to find his rhythm and finished just outside the points in 17th.

 

MotoGP Round 18 2025 Report | Agius Wins, Kelso Podiums, Fernandez Triumphs!

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With over 90,000 spectators attending, Phillip Island put on good weather, not to mention the best racing we have seen at The Island since the Casey Stoner era. Miller, Agius, Kelso on the front row, two on the podium! Report: Ed Stratmann/MotoGP Photos: Brett Butler/MotoGP/AGP Corp

Senna Agius made history, becoming the first Aussie Moto2 rider to win at home.

Friday Practice and Saturday Qualifying
MotoGP

Talk about smashing the previous lap record! Marco Bezzecchi’s (Aprilia Racing) unbelievably rapid 1:26.492 saw the Italian comfortably lead the MotoGP pack heading into Saturday at the Liqui Moly Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, and it was another Aprilia rider acting as the #72’s closest challenger. Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) improved late on to make it an RS-GP 1-2 in Practice at Phillip Island, with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) rounding out the top three as fellow Ducati star Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #54), the latest winner, missed the Q2 cut.

Read our previous MotoGP reports here…

Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP #20), take a bow! A new all-time lap record around Phillip Island is what it took to beat Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) to pole position in Australia, and that’s exactly what the Frenchman threw down.

That 1:26.465 from El Diablo was 0.031s quicker than the Italian’s best effort, and joining the duo on the front row was home hero Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP #43). The Australian dug deep to come through Q1 and delight the home faithful, setting us up good and proper for the Tissot Sprint and Grand Prix.

Moto2

Diogo Moreira’s (Italtrans Racing Team #10) title hopes are more than real, as the Brazilian topped the opening day of action in Moto2 at Phillip Island. A deficit of just nine points meant it was very much game on, and after two crashes for Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP #18) on the first day, Moreira most definitely had the momentum into Saturday.

Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) started the Moto2 Australian Grand Prix from pole position on Sunday after a dramatic, tantalising Q2 played out at Phillip Island. Home hero Senna Agius (#81) would line up in the middle of the front row, with his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP teammate Manuel Gonzalez completing a top three that was split by a slender 0.076s.

Moto3

A 1:34.726 from David Almansa (Leopard Racing #22) handed the Spaniard a lap record-breaking top spot on Friday at the Liqui Moly Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, as teammate Adrian Fernandez (#31) and Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Alvaro Carpe (#83) rounded out the top three.

A first pole of the season, and what a place to do it; Joel Kelso (LEVELUP-MTA #66) was unstoppable, becoming the first Australian to take pole in Moto3 at Phillip Island. Behind him, newly crowned World Champion Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo #99) and Mandalika podium finisher Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse #58) completed the front row.

Saturday
Tissot Sprint

Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) made it two Tissot Sprint victories in a row, overcoming early drama at Phillip Island to pass Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) with three laps to go and take the win. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing #37) rounded out the podium after a tight scrap for third that went down to the wire, with P3 to P5 covered by just a tenth of a second.

Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #73) grabbed the holeshot, but Fernandez moved into the lead by Turn 2 and headed the opening lap. Bezzecchi slotted into second, racing with extra aero parts on his Aprilia after an unexpected seagull strike on the Warm Up Lap. Polesitter Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) dropped to sixth, behind Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) and Acosta. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing #33) crashed out at Turn 2 on the opening lap.

Up front, Fernandez and Bezzecchi pulled away in an Aprilia 1-2, while the battle for third intensified. Marquez came under fire from Miller, Acosta and Quartararo, with Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Tech3 #44) solid in seventh. Miller and Marquez swapped places on Laps 5 and 6, while Acosta made a double pass at Turn 1 on Lap 7 to move into podium contention.

By Lap 9, Bezzecchi was back on Fernandez’s rear wheel and made his move at Turn 2 on Lap 10. One lap later, Indonesian GP winner Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) crashed out at Turn 6 but was unhurt.

Bezzecchi sealed the win with a controlled final lap, while Fernandez secured his second consecutive Sprint podium, marking the first-ever Aprilia 1-2 in a Tissot Sprint. Acosta held off last-lap pressure from Miller and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) to claim third – making it the first Sprint without a Ducati on the podium.

“It has been nice. Super tough, because I never thought, honestly, about the victory. Only the journalists thought about it. But I didn’t even expect a podium,” Bezzecchi stated.

Tissot Sprint Race Results

  1. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing
  2. Raul Fernandez Trackhouse Aprilia (+3.149s)
  3. Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM (+5.310s)
  4. Jack Miller Pramac Yamaha (5.376s)
  5. Fabio Di Giannantonio Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+5.416s)

Sunday
MotoGP

Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) delivered a flawless ride at Phillip Island to claim his maiden MotoGP victory – and the team’s first ever in the premier class. With his win, every team on the grid has now celebrated a MotoGP Grand Prix victory.

Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) carved through from P10 to take second, just 1.4s off Fernandez, while Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) stormed to third after serving a double Long Lap penalty, making a late move on Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP).

Bezzecchi took the holeshot from the front row, with Fernandez quickly into second and Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) in third. That trio built an early gap over a chasing pack led by Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP).

Notified of his penalty on Lap 2, Bezzecchi delayed serving it to build a buffer. On Lap 5, he finally took the first Long Lap, dropping behind Fernandez and Acosta. The second came shortly after, putting him behind Di Giannantonio in P5. Meanwhile, crashes for Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR #5) and Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) brought heartbreak for Aussie fans. Out front, Fernandez hit the front and never looked back, pulling 1.1s clear of Acosta by Lap 6.

Di Giannantonio passed Quartararo for fourth on Lap 8, with Bezzecchi following through soon after. By Lap 13, Fernandez’s lead was 1.4s over Acosta, who was under pressure from Marquez. On Lap 16, Marquez made his move into P2, but Fernandez was already three seconds up the road. With eight laps to go, Di Giannantonio took third from Acosta, and Bezzecchi followed suit to grab fourth. Di Giannantonio then passed Marquez for second in a bold move at Turn 10, but the gap to Fernandez remained steady at around 2.6s.

Bezzecchi wasn’t done yet. On the penultimate lap, he lunged past Marquez to seal third, ending just 2.4s behind the winner despite his penalties. Fernandez crossed the line for a breakthrough MotoGP win, capping off a dream day for Trackhouse.

Di Giannantonio’s late charge secured second, while Bezzecchi’s gritty ride earned him a crucial podium – and P3 in the World Championship – after Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team #63) crashed out.

 

Marquez finished fourth, delaying his shot at the 2025 silver medal. Acosta held off Luca Marini (Castrol Honda HRC #10) by just 0.040s for fifth.

“I cannot believe it, I’m sorry because I am not believing,” Fernandez said. “After a long time, we found something – all the team always believed in me, they never stopped supporting me. It is a consequence of hard work, so thanks to them. The last five laps were super long for me.”

MotoGP Race Results

  1. Raul Fernandez Trackhouse Aprilia
  2. Fabio Di Giannantonio Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+1.418s)
  3. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing (+2.410s)
  4. Alex Marquez BK8 Gresini Ducati (+3.715s)
  5. Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM (+7.930s)

Check out the full MotoGP race results here…

MotoGP Championship Points

  1. Marc Marquez BK8 Gresini Ducati – 545
  2. Alex Marquez Ducati Lenovo – 379
  3. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing – 282
  4. Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo – 274
  5. Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM – 233

Moto2

Senna Agius (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) became the first Australian in Moto2™ history to win his home Grand Prix, delivering a dominant ride at Phillip Island just 12 months after his first World Championship podium. The crowd had even more to cheer as the battle for second raged between David Alonso (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team #80) and Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team), with the Brazilian taking crucial points from title leader Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP).

Agius made a perfect start, storming into the lead at Turn 1 ahead of polesitter Moreira and Gonzalez. Alonso settled into fourth with Ayumu Sasaki (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP #71) close behind. On Lap 3, Agius ran deep into Turn 1 but held the lead as Moreira dropped to fourth behind Gonzalez and Alonso. Sasaki challenged next but couldn’t get past Moreira at Miller Corner. By Lap 8, Alonso moved into second ahead of Gonzalez, but Moreira quickly retook both at Turn 4 to reclaim P2. On Lap 10, Alonso ran wide at Turn 10, allowing Moreira and Gonzalez back through. With Agius already over two seconds ahead, the podium fight intensified.

Gonzalez briefly retook second at the halfway mark, but Moreira struck back on Lap 13. Just behind, Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team #96) launched an aggressive charge, tangling with Albert Arenas (ITALJET Gresini Moto2 #75) in a fierce battle. Alonso got past Moreira for P2 with six laps to go and then pulled off a repeat move at Turn 1 to solidify the position.

Further back, Gonzalez struggled to hold on. Dixon and Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team #27) both passed him, with Holgado diving into fourth on Lap 20. Gonzalez then dropped another spot to Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing #7), losing more vital points in the title fight.

Up front, Agius cruised to a historic victory, essentially unchallenged in the final laps. Alonso secured second, while Moreira’s third cut his deficit to Gonzalez in the standings to just two points. Holgado impressed in fourth, Dixon finished fifth, and Baltus took sixth – crucially stealing a point from Gonzalez, who crossed the line seventh.

Agius’ emotional win on home soil marked a milestone moment for Australian motorsport, and with the title fight tightening behind him, the championship heads into its final stretch wide open.

Moto2 Race Results

  1. Senna Agius Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP
  2. David Alonso CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team (+3.684s)
  3. Diogo Moreira Italtrans Racing Team (+3.721s)
  4. Daniel Holgado CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team (+4.440s)
  5. Jake Dixon Elf Marc VDS Racing (+4.451s)

Moto2 Championship Points

  1. Manuel Gonzalez Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 247
  2. Diogo Moreira Italtrans Racing Team – 245
  3. Aron Canet Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 212
  4. Barry Baltus Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 205
  5. Jake Dixon Elf Marc VDS Racing – 190

Moto3

Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) claimed his 10th win of the 2025 season with a masterful ride at Phillip Island, fending off home hero Joel Kelso (LEVELUP-MTA) in a two-man showdown. The pair finished a dominant 12 seconds ahead of the rest, with Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) winning the fight for third – securing the Teams’ Championship for Red Bull KTM Ajo.

Kelso didn’t lead into Turn 1 from pole but immediately struck back at Turn 2 to take control. Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team #28) quickly moved into third as Kelso and Rueda built an early gap. By the end of Lap 2, they were already a second clear of the chasing pack.

Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull KTM Tech3 #12) made it two Aussies in the top four and set the fastest lap, but his home race ended in heartbreak with a crash at Turn 6 on Lap 4. At the front, Rueda and Kelso extended their lead to 2.4s, while Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI #36) suffered a near-crash at the final corner and dropped to 24th after a run through the gravel.

Rueda hit the front on Lap 7, and by Lap 11 the lead duo were over seven seconds clear, with Kelso glued to the rear wheel of the World Champion. Despite a late push from the Aussie, Rueda maintained composure and crossed the line just ahead after a flawless final lap, denying Kelso a dream home win.

Joel Kelso.

Behind them, a fierce battle for third raged between Quiles, Carpe, Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia #72), Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing), Joel Esteban (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team #78), Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse), David Almansa (Leopard Racing) and Matteo Bertelle (LEVELUP-MTA #18).

Joel Kelso made history, the first ever Aussie pole in Australia in Moto3…

In the end, it was Carpe who held his nerve to secure the final podium place, with Esteban taking a career-best fourth while standing in for Dennis Foggia. Quiles finished fifth, narrowly missing the podium and delaying his Rookie of the Year celebrations.

While Rueda again proved his World Champion status, Kelso’s runner-up ride thrilled the home fans – and Carpe’s podium helped Red Bull KTM Ajo seal the Teams’ title in style.

Moto3 Race Results

  1. Jose Antonio Rueda Red Bull KTM Ajo
  2. Joel Kelso LEVELUP – MTA (+0.829s)
  3. Alvaro Carpe Red Bull KTM Ajo (+12.638s)
  4. Joel Esteban CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team (12.696s)
  5. Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team (+12.773s)

Moto3 Championship Points

  1. Jose Antonio Rueda Red Bull KTM Ajo – 365
  2. Angel Piqueras FRINSA – MT Helmets – 231
  3. Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team – 228
  4. David Munoz Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 197
  5. Joel Kelso LEVELUP – MTA – 179

How Did the Aussies Do?

Jack Miller thrilled the home crowd at the Australian GP with his best Sprint result of the season, as, after qualifying second in Q1 and third in Q2, he battled to a hard-fought fourth place in the Sprint at Phillip Island. Sadly, his Sunday race didn’t go to plan, for he crashed out on Lap 5 in what was his 250th Grand Prix appearance.

Jack Miller.

Agius delivered another strong performance on home soil, qualifying second, just 0.011 seconds off polesitter Diogo Moreira, to set himself up for a promising Sunday. And he delivered, as the Aussie rising star put on a scintillating display to reign supreme in the race, making history as the first rider from his country to win the Australian Grand Prix in the Moto2 class.

Joel Kelso kicked off his home GP weekend by storming to pole in Moto3. He then backed that up with a masterful second in the main dance to cap off a superb weekend at the office.

Jacob Roulstone.

Earning 13th in qualifying on home turf, Jacob Roulstone was looking for more in the race. But it wasn’t to be, for, despite roaring off the line and starting the race wonderfully, a crash frustratingly ended his day while running third on Lap 4. Wildcard Harrison Voight showed maturity and speed, filling in at MSI Racing, finishing 26th on debut.

Check out our three huge Liqui Moly Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix galleries here…

 

Homecoming Ride 2025 Sees Over 500 Riders Unite For MotoGP PI

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Today’s eagerly anticipated Homecoming Ride 2025 delivered in spectacular fashion, with more than 500 riders joining a star-studded convoy from San Remo to the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. The event was hailed a great success, blending fanfare, respect and a strong road safety message for all.

The 2025 homecoming convoy was led by MotoGP legend Casey Stoner, joined by Australian favourite Jack Miller and international talents Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia, Marco Bezzecchi, Enea Bastianini and Fermin Aldeguer. Also taking part were rising Australian Moto2™ and Moto3™ competitors Senna Agius, Joel Kelso and Jacob Roulstone, riding shoulder to shoulder with enthusiasts and supporters.

The procession crossed the San Remo Bridge before winding through Cowes and into the circuit precincts, where the group completed two laps of the iconic Phillip Island GP track together.

Organisers and participants alike praised the atmosphere as respectful but exuberant — a highlight of the race-week build up. Many fans remarked that riding alongside heroes they usually only see at the track was a truly unforgettable experience.

The Homecoming Ride has long carried a dual mission: not only to bring fans closer to the stars, but to spotlight the importance of road safety and rider awareness. In 2025, that message resonated even more strongly — especially given Australia’s efforts to reduce motorcycle incidents and promote safer riding culture.

The turnout of over 500 bikes showcased the depth of enthusiasm in the Australian motorcycling community. The inclusion of both MotoGP legends and next-generation Australian talent reinforced the unifying spirit of the ride. The decision to couple spectacle with safety awareness elevated the Homecoming Ride beyond a parade — it became a public statement about responsible motorcycling.

 

Marc Márquez Undergoes Successful Shoulder Surgery in Madrid

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World Champion MotoGP rider and legend is on the road to recovery | Following further medical evaluation, reigning MotoGP World Champion Marc Márquez has undergone successful surgery on his right shoulder at the Ruber Internacional Hospital in Madrid, Spain.The decision to operate came after the Ducati Lenovo Team rider’s follow-up examination one week after his initial diagnosis. Despite a week of immobilisation, specialists found that the coracoid fracture and ligament damage to Márquez’s right shoulder blade were not healing as expected. Concerned about possible long-term instability, the medical team—led by Dr Samuel Antuña and Dr Ignacio Roger de Oña—opted for surgical stabilisation and repair of the acromioclavicular ligaments.

Marc Marquez became Ducati’s fourth MotoGP world champ in Japan this year.

Doctors had considered surgery as an option from the beginning, depending on how Márquez’s shoulder responded to conservative treatment. When the follow-up scans and clinical tests showed limited improvement, the decision was made to proceed with an operation to ensure complete recovery and avoid future complications. The procedure, performed on Friday, was described as a success, with no reported issues during surgery or early recovery.The operation marks the latest setback in what had otherwise been a dominant season for Márquez. After clinching his first MotoGP title with Ducati and his ninth world crown overall, the Spaniard sustained the injury during the Indonesian Grand Prix at Mandalika. While he managed to finish the weekend, post-race discomfort and swelling led to the diagnosis of a small fracture at the base of the coracoid process and associated ligament damage.Following the initial assessment, Márquez’s doctors prescribed immobilisation and rest, ruling him out of the Australian and Malaysian Grands Prix. The hope was that the fracture would stabilise naturally without surgical intervention, but a lack of sufficient bone consolidation prompted the change of approach.Now recovering at home in Madrid, Márquez will begin a carefully monitored rehabilitation program over the coming weeks. The length of his recovery will depend on how quickly the shoulder heals and regains strength, with medical staff scheduling regular check-ups to track progress. Ducati officials confirmed that no specific return date has been set, though the rider is expected to miss at least the next two rounds.In a brief statement issued through his management team, Márquez expressed relief that the procedure went well and confidence in the recovery plan. “The operation was successful and everything is fine. Now it’s time to rest and follow the doctors’ instructions step by step,” he said. “The goal is to come back when I’m completely fit. I want to thank everyone for their messages and the team for their support.”Márquez’s absence leaves Ducati to rely on teammate Francesco Bagnaia and test rider Michele Pirro for the remaining flyaway races. Despite the frustration of ending his title-winning season on the sidelines, the 32-year-old remains focused on long-term health and being fully prepared for the 2026 campaign.

 

WorldSBK 2025 Round 11 Report | Toprak & Bulega split it, Thompson Takes a Win!

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Toprak Razgatlioglu and Nicolo Bulega split the honours at the Estoril Round of WorldSBK in Portugal. WorldSBK now travels to Jerez for the final round of the season next weekend with the Riders’ Championship still to be decided. Report: Ed Stratmann/WorldSBK

Manzi won his first WorldSSP Riders’ Championship by a margin of more than two seconds.

Friday practice
WorldSBK

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) set the pace on Friday at the Circuito Estoril in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship as he looked to claw back valuable points on rival Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team). The #11 was the only rider in the 1’35s bracket, while ‘El Turco’ showed some impressive speed during the afternoon session.

Read our previous WorldSBK reports here…

WorldSSP

The 2025 FIM Supersport World Championship season got off and running in their penultimate round at the Circuito Estoril as the grid was set for Saturday’s Race 1 with the conclusion of their Tissot Superpole Race. Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team #61) was the fastest on Friday to kick off the EICMA Estoril Round, taking his fourth pole of the season. Alberto Surra (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team #76) gave him a late run for his money, but he finished behind Oncu in P2. Rounding out the front row, Valentin Debise (Renzi Corse #53) took P3 for his third front-row start of 2025.

Saturday
WorldSBK

Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was virtually unbeatable in the Tissot Superpole session at the Circuito Estoril after setting an incredible 1’34.203s to claim pole for the EICMA Estoril Round. ‘El Turco’ was a second quicker than his own FP3 lap record and more than a second faster than the 2022 pole lap record, as he beat title rival Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) to P1 in Portugal.

WorldSBK Race 1

Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) claimed a hard-fought Race 1 win at Estoril after dropping to fifth on the opening lap and charging back to the front. The victory allowed him to gain five points on title rival Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), who finished second in a red-flagged encounter during the EICMA Estoril Round.

The race was red-flagged following a Turn 1 incident involving Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team #47), who crashed and triggered a pile-up. Tetsuta Nagashima (Honda HRC #49), Bahattin Sofuoglu (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team #99) and Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team #60) also went down, while Tarran Mackenzie (MGM BONOVO Action #95) took a hit but stayed upright. All five riders restarted from their original grid positions for a 20-lap race.

At the restart, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #19) jumped from third to first, ahead of Bulega, while Razgatlioglu dropped to P5. He quickly passed both Jonathan Rea (#65) and Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha #55) to move into third, then overtook Bulega and Bautista to take the lead by Lap 3. Despite pressure from Bulega mid-race, Razgatlioglu – running the SC1 front tyre after the red flag – responded and controlled the final laps to take his 20th win of the season. Bulega claimed his 51st career podium in second.

Bautista and Rea fought over third in the early stages, with Rea looking faster but unable to make a move stick. A mistake from Rea on Lap 8 gave Bautista breathing room, though the Kawasaki rider closed the gap again. On Lap 12, Rea attacked after another Bautista error, but Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team #22) joined the fight and passed Rea on Lap 15. Locatelli then followed through, pushing Rea to sixth. On Lap 16, Locatelli overtook Lowes for P4, with Lowes finishing fifth and Rea sixth. Bautista held on to take his 16th podium of the year.

“I’m very happy, but I was pushing so hard in the race, especially in the beginning. I felt like everything was good, but in the middle, Nicolo started catching me. I always accepted that Ducati has more grip in hot conditions. When he started catching me, I said I was ready to fight,” Razgatlioglu stated.

WorldSBK Race 1 Results

  1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
  2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +1.948s
  3. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +14.729s
  4. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +16.563s
  5. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +17.044s

WorldSSP Race 1

Valentin Debise (Renzi Corse) continued his red-hot form at the EICMA Estoril Round, claiming his second career WorldSSP victory with a commanding Race 1 performance. The Frenchman outpaced both title contenders in a strategic ride that saw him steadily pull away from the lead battle.

Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) launched from pole and grabbed the holeshot, leading the opening lap. But by Lap 2, title rival Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing #62) had stormed from 13th to P5.

As the race unfolded, Oncu and Manzi battled intensely for P2, allowing Debise to stretch his lead. The Renzi Corse rider maintained a consistent pace and built a gap of nearly half a second to secure the win, while Manzi edged Oncu for second.

The result extended Manzi’s championship lead to 64 points, putting him on the verge of securing the WorldSSP title in Race 2 – so long as he didn’t lose more than 14 points to Oncu.

Behind the podium fight, Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team #65) ran strong early but slipped back to P5 by Lap 8. He recovered his rhythm and brought it home in P4. Lucas Mahias (GMT94-YAMAHA #94) held station in P5, unable to close the small gap to the lead group despite running a consistent pace.

With Manzi in control of the title race and Debise delivering back-to-back wins, all eyes turned to Race 2, where the championship could be decided.

WorldSSP Race 1 Results

  1. Valentin Debise (Renzi Corse)
  2. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +0.440s
  3. Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) +0.814s
  4. Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) +2.616s
  5. Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) +2.667s

Sunday
Superpole Race

Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) took a major step toward the 2025 WorldSBK title with a second victory at the EICMA Estoril Round, his 21st win of the season. Holding off title rival Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) in a tense 10-lap Superpole Race, Toprak extended his championship lead by three points.

Bulega made the strongest start, taking the holeshot ahead of Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Razgatlioglu. The BMW rider quickly passed Bautista and took the lead from Bulega at Turn 1 on Lap 2. The pair swapped positions multiple times in a thrilling sequence through Turns 6 to 9, but Razgatlioglu held firm and began to pull away. Although Bulega applied pressure late in the race, Toprak managed the gap and claimed another crucial victory.

Bautista completed the podium in P3 after an early scrap with Jonathan Rea (Pata Maxus Yamaha), who was running P5 before crashing at Turn 7 on Lap 5. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) capitalised, passing Rea and holding off a charging Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven #29) to secure fourth. Iannone had to settle for fifth after slicing through the field once again.

Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team #87) claimed P6 after fending off Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC), who gambled on the SCQ tyre.

With momentum on his side, Razgatlioglu entered Race 2 with the title in reach, needing one final push to seal another WorldSBK crown.

Superpole Race Results

  1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
  2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.545s
  3. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +8.942s
  4. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +10.060s
  5. Andrea Iannone (Team Pata Go Eleven) +10.122s

WorldSBK Race 2

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) claimed a crucial Race 2 win at Estoril, his 17th WorldSBK victory, to keep the 2025 title fight alive. The #11 held off Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), who finished second, ensuring the championship will be decided at the final round in Jerez.

As in the previous races, Razgatlioglu lost ground at the start, dropping to fifth behind Bulega, Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha), Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven) and Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati). He moved past Bautista early on and overtook Iannone – who was handed a double Long Lap Penalty for a jump start – before passing Locatelli at Turn 9 to take second by Lap 3.

At that point, Bulega had a 1.4-second advantage. The pair traded rapid lap times over the next few, but Bulega began to edge away, stretching the gap to 1.5 seconds by Lap 7 and over two seconds at halfway. Though Razgatlioglu kept the pressure on, Bulega controlled the pace to take the win and delay Toprak’s title celebrations.

The fight for third was intense, with Bautista under pressure early in the race. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) muscled past Locatelli to challenge for a podium, but Bautista held firm. The reigning Champion claimed his third P3 finish of the weekend, moving into third in the overall standings. Bulega’s win, combined with Bautista’s podium, also secured the 2025 Teams’ Championship for Aruba.it Racing – Ducati. Lowes finished fourth, losing time in the final laps, while Locatelli rounded out the top five.

With one round remaining, the title showdown between Bulega and Razgatlioglu is set for a dramatic conclusion in Jerez.

“It was a very good race in Race 2. We improved the bike a lot from the Superpole Race in the morning. I’m happy because this win is important. I know the Championship looks very difficult, but we’ll never give up. Toprak has been strong all season, but we’ve also had a very strong season. We will give Jerez our 200%. The only things I can do now are do my best and put pressure on Toprak,” Bulega said.

WorldSBK Race 2 Results

  1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
  2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +4.868s
  3. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +15.331s
  4. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +17.333s
  5. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +20.567s

Championship Points

  1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 580 points
  2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 541
  3. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 292
  4. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) 284
  5. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) 284

WorldSSP Race 2

With the round-closing Race 2 of the EICMA Estoril Round, Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) was crowned the 2025 FIM Supersport World Champion. The Italian claimed his title at the Circuito Estoril with force, as he won the race by a large margin. The #62 was followed onto the podium by Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) in second and rookie Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team #52) in third.

Oncu shot off the line, followed into the first corner by Roberto Garcia (GMT94-YAMAHA #37) and Valentin Debise (Renzi Corse), with Manzi lying in wait behind the Ducati rider. The trio was joined in the fight for P1 at times by Roberto Garcia (GMT94-YAMAHA) and Alberto Surra (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team), however, none had the pace to match Manzi, as one by one, his competitors dropped off.

Emphatically, Manzi won his first WorldSSP Riders’ Championship by a margin of more than two seconds. Oettl weathered the storm of riders dropping off ahead of him to land his second podium of the year. Alcoba tailed the pair across the line from his P25 start position. His recovery ride to P3 marks the lowest-ever starting position for a podium finisher in a WorldSSP race.

WorldSSP Race 2 Results

  1. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing)
  2. Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) +2.599s
  3. Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team) +2.574s
  4. Roberto García (GMT94 Yamaha) +3.944s
  5. Alberto Surra (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) +4.432s

Championship Points

  1. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) 425 points
  2. Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) 343
  3. Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) 233
  4. Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) 227
  5. Valentin Debise (Renzi Corse) 185

WorldSSP300
WorldSSP300 Race 1

Racing action at the first day of the EICMA Estoril Round was closed out on Saturday with the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship’s Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300 #91) taking his fifth career win in the category.

Teammates Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki #50) and Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki #71) both made dramatic late moves to get onto the podium ahead of the title leader Benat Fernandez (Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove #7). #50’s P2 spelled a fifth podium of the season for Thompson and a tenth career podium for his #71 Dutch teammate.

WorldSSP300 Race 1 Results

  1. Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300)
  2. Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki) +0.304s
  3. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) +0.336s
  4. Benat Fernandez (Team#109 Retro Traffic Kove) +0.360s
  5. David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) +0.517s

WorldSSP300 Race 2

It was an electric afternoon in Estoril on Sunday as the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship field closed out the EICMA Estoril Round weekend. Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki) topped the rostrum with his third win in the Championship. Benat Fernandez (Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove) chased him across the line as he scored his fifth podium of the season in P2, and Daniel Mogeda (Pons Motosport Italika Racing), who landed his sixth career podium, will ride to Jerez with an Estoril Race 2 podium in his back pocket.

With a win ahead of the #7 directly behind him, the Australian cut his title deficit to 10 points, now sitting five points closer behind Fernandez, who maintains his Championship lead. David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) missed the podium in P4, meaning his deficit to P1 increased to 22 points. While the gap is not insurmountable, with one round left, all eyes are now on Jerez.

WorldSSP300 Race 2 Results

  1. Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki)
  2. Benat Fernandez (Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove) +0.010s
  3. Daniel Mogeda (Pons Motosport Italika Racing) +0.036s
  4. David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) +0.041s
  5. Antonio Torres (Team ProDina XCI) +0.111s

Championship Points

  1. Benat Fernandez (Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove) 205
  2. Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki) 195
  3. David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) 183
  4. Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300) 159
  5. Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing) 145

How did the Aussies Do?

Remy Gardner kicked off his Estoril weekend with a strong P7 in qualifying and followed it up with a solid ninth in Race 1 before delivering consistent performances on Sunday to claim sixth in the Superpole Race and seventh in Race 2. Oli Bayliss (#32) backed up a promising P12 qualifying with a gritty ride to P13, overcoming a tough start to swiftly surge through the field. He then produced another commendable effort to grab 12th in the second bout. Carter Thompson won race two of the 300s!

 

MotoGP Down Under | Phillip Island Set for 2025 Showdown

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The roar of MotoGP returns to Australia this weekend as the world’s fastest riders descend on the legendary Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit for round 17 of the 2025 season.  The Island promises another weekend of drama, passion, and world-class racing. Press: AGP Corp.With just four rounds remaining, the 2025 MotoGP World Championship enters its final stretch — but newly crowned World Champion Marc Márquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) won’t be on the grid. The eight-time world champion and freshly minted 2025 title winner has been sidelined by a fractured shoulder sustained in Indonesia. The injury rules him out of both the Australian and Malaysian rounds, though he remains optimistic about returning before season’s end.That absence opens the door wide for others to shine. Márquez’s teammate Francesco Bagnaia will be desperate to recover from a tough Indonesian outing as he chases second in the standings, now held by Alex Márquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP). Ducati’s test rider Michele Pirro steps in for the champion, while Alex’s teammate Fermin Aldeguer— the 20-year-old Spanish sensation and Mandalika GP winner — arrives on a high. The rookie already has two wins this season and knows the Island well after his Moto2 victory there in 2023.Aprilia Racing will be looking to bounce back after a rollercoaster fortnight. Marco Bezzecchi saw his Indonesian campaign end early after a clash with Márquez, while Raul Fernandez earned Aprilia’s best result in months with a Sprint podium and P6 in Sunday’s race. With Jorge Martin still recovering from injury, Aprilia test rider LorenzoSavadori again joins the grid as the factory aims for redemption at one of MotoGP’s most unpredictable venues.Meanwhile, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing arrives in red-hot form. Pedro Acosta, already a race winner and top rookie in 2025, sits fourth overall and still has mathematical hope of third in the championship. His teammate Brad Bindercontinues to impress with consistent top-five finishes, while Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) will aim to rediscover the speed that put him on last year’s Island Sprint podium. Pol Espargaro substitutes again for the recovering Maverick Viñales.Outside the championship fight, Aussie fans will have plenty to cheer for. Home hero Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) knows Phillip Island better than most and has twice come close to victory here. Expect him to be right in the mix once again, eager to deliver a podium on home soil. You can also cheer for Jacob Roulstone, Joel Kelso, Senna Agius and Wildcard Harrison Voight. Yamaha rider Alex Rins showed strong form in Indonesia and could spring a surprise, while Honda’s Luca Marini and Joan Mir both remain podium outsiders.As always, Phillip Island is set to deliver unpredictable weather, edge-of-seat racing, and photo-finish battles. From the iconic Gardner Straight to Lukey Heights and Siberia, this is where MotoGP’s legends are made.

THE AUSSIE FOUR!

Moto2™ will see the championship blown wide open after points leader Manuel Gonzalez was disqualified post-race in Indonesia, shrinking his lead to just nine points over Diogo Moreira. Aussie Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) will also be one to watch, chasing a repeat of his 2024 Island podium.In Moto3™, World Champion Jose Antonio Rueda may have wrapped up the title early, but all eyes will be on the local stars — Joel Kelso and Jacob Roulstone — as they aim to thrill the home crowd and keep the Aussie flag flying high.

When MotoGP comes to Phillip Island, nothing is predictable — except that it will be fast, fierce, and utterly unmissable.

 

ASBK Round Seven 2025 Report | Jones clean sweeps One Raceway

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ASBK Round Seven 2025 Report | Yamaha star Mike Jones (#46) clean sweeped the field at round seven of the 2025 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) at One Raceway in Goulburn. Report: Ed Stratmann/ASBK Media.

Friday/Saturday

Still clinging to a faint hope of clinching the SW-Motech Superbike title from runaway leader Josh Waters (McMartin Racing Ducati #1), the Queenslander displayed his customary dash – and even more – on the Yamaha Racing Team YZF-R1, obliterating his previous One Raceway qualifying mark to bank his 18th premier class pole position ahead of teen star Cameron Dunker (MotoGo Yamaha Racing Team #3). Waters would start from third on the grid for Sunday’s two 20-lap races.

Read our previous ASBK round reports here…

Under clear skies and with Friday’s fierce crosswinds gone, qualifying and race records tumbled at One Raceway across all the classes, including Kawasaki Supersport, where Archie McDonald (Stop and Seal Yamaha #69) reigned supreme as he continues to make a late lunge at championship success.

The opening races were also held in the Race and Road Supersport 300 and BLU CRU Oceania Junior Cup classes on Saturday, complete with their usual level of jaw-dropping unpredictability and first-time winners in Riley Nauta (#42) and Ghage Plowman (#27).

SW-MOTECH SUPERBIKE

Jones and Dunker owned SW-Motech Superbike qualifying, with Dunker setting the early pace before Jones hit the front with a brilliant 58.420. “I treat every weekend the same, and that’s doing the best I can,” said Jones. “I’m feeling really comfortable on my bike, which is always great when that happens. I know the racing is going to be really close and tough on a track like this, but I’m ready for it.”

Dunker’s second place on the grid (58.707) was his best qualifying performance in two years of Superbike competition, while Waters (58.768) lurked in third after inching his way up the order during the last five minutes. As expected, Goulburn hometown hero Troy Herfoss (Yamaha Racing Team #17, 58.772) started to make his move after methodically chipping away on setup, and he lead the second row from 2024 race one winner Broc Pearson (DesmoSport Ducati #11, 58.799) and Anthony West (Addicted to Track Yamaha #13, 58.921), who’s locked in combat with Jones for second in the championship. The top eight was completed by Cru Halliday (Stop and Seal Ducati #65, 58.986) and Jack Favelle (Addicted to Track Yamaha #33, 59.040).

KAWASAKI SUPERSPORT AND SUPERSPORT NEXT GEN

Archie McDonald continued from where he left off on Friday, transferring his impeccable Kawasaki Supersport practice form into the qualifying arena on his Stop and Seal Yamaha YZF-R6.

After producing a masterful 1:00.138 in the first qualifying session – eclipsing his previous best lap by over 0.2 seconds – he used the second outing more for race simulation purposes in preparation for Sunday’s two 16-lappers. McDonald’s pole position, which included a $500 bonus cheque from Michelin, was his second in 2025 and his fifth in the last two seasons.

McDonald completed qualifying ahead of teammates Jack Mahaffy (Yamaha #37) and Tom Toparis (Ducati #7) aboard his Supersport Next Gen machine. Then it was the BCperformance Kawasakis of Hayden Nelson (#279) and Olly Simpson (#5) – the latter set to come under attack from McDonald for second in the championship, while Nelson will be looking to replicate his double podium from 2024.

Jake Farnsworth (Yamaha #49) started from the final spot on row two, with Tommy Edwards (Team BWR Yamaha #71), Marcus Hamod (Motocity Honda #13) and Will Nassif (Omega Racing Team Yamaha #65) on row three.

RACE AND ROAD SUPERSPORT 300

A Champions Ride Days Kawasaki quinella in Race and Supersport 300 race one, as a spritely Riley Nauta broke away from the main pack to score a runaway three-second victory over teammate – and fellow junior dirt track gun – Jake Paige (#55). It was Nauta’s first victory in the category.

Valentino Knezovic (Yamaha #48) was third, while Scott Nicholson (Kawasaki #39) inched closer to winning the championship at One Raceway with his seventh place. Polesitter Jai Russo (Yamaha #132) was fourth from Nikolas Lazos (Yamaha #11), Tyler King (Kawasaki #128), Nicholson and Mitch Simpson (Yamaha #66), with Nicholson also setting a new lap record of 1:05.710.

BLU CRU OCEANIA JUNIOR CUP

Another crackerjack contest between the Yamaha YZF-R15 brigade, as Ghage Plowman scored his first win in the BLU CRU Oceania Junior Cup, followed in quick succession by Rossi McAdam (#61) and championship leader Connor Lewis (#77).

The top 11 riders were separated by 1.8 seconds, with Thomas Cameron (#23), Hunter Charlett (#73) and Xavier Curmi (#82) filling positions 3-6.

Sunday

A brilliant performance by Mike Jones at One Raceway has incredibly kept alive the 2025 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) until the final round in November.

The Queenslander was at his silky-smooth best on October 5 as he won both SW-Motech Superbike races – his 26th and 27th in the ASBK ranks – from pole position on his Yamaha Racing Team machine around the tight and twisty Goulburn circuit. Meanwhile, Jones’ heroics also coincided with the lowest scoring round of the season for championship leader Josh Waters (McMartin Racing Ducati).

Waters posted a 5-5 scorecard, which allowed Jones to slash Waters’ lead to 50pts (338 to 288), down from 69pts at the start of the weekend. A maximum of 51pts are available at The Bend from November 7-9, so it’s clearly still Waters’ championship to lose.

However, Jones is remaining upbeat. “It’s been a really good feeling today, so special thanks to the Yamaha Racing Team for putting in such a big effort to give me a great motorbike,” said Jones. “It was really special to get two wins for them. I’ll just keep the championship alive and roll onto the next one and see how we go.”

At One Raceway, Jones defeated the mightily impressive 17-year-old Cameron Dunker (MotoGO Yamaha Racing Team) in both races after soaking up relentless pressure, while Troy Herfoss (Yamaha Racing Team) and Anthony West (Addicted to Track Yamaha) shared the third places.

West remains third in the championship on 269pts, while Dunker (215pts) slingshotted into fourth past Glenn Allerton (Superbike Advocates Racing Ducati #14, 213pts) and Broc Pearson (DesmoSport Ducati, 212pts).

SW-Motech Superbike Race One

Dunker’s form at One Raceway in 2024 was top-shelf, and this year he took it to the next level as he led race one until lap eight before Jones – fully aware passing opportunities were at a premium – slipped past the teen after he ran slightly wide at turn two. Jones then put down the hammer for a few laps to weaken Dunker’s resolve, with the final winning margin just under 2.5 seconds.

Herfoss, whose return to his former home track began in measured fashion on Friday, flicked into combat mode when it really mattered, fending off the slow-starting West to finish third. Herfoss also set a new lap record of 58.776 to show he’s lost none of the spark that took him to three Superbike titles, the last in 2023. Waters was fifth, circulating near the front throughout but just unable to find a way past his main rivals.

The top 10 was completed by Cru Halliday (Stop and Seal Ducati), Pearson, Jack Favelle (Addicted to Track Yamaha), Jonathan Nahlous (Omega Racing Team Honda #20) and Allerton. Nahlous was riding a replacement machine after his first bike was badly damaged earlier in the weekend.

Race One Results

  1. Mike Jones
  2. Cameron Dunker (+2.492)
  3. Troy Herfoss (+5.578)
  4. Anthony West (5.637)
  5. Josh Waters (5.760)

SW-Motech Superbike race two

Riders were greeted with slightly tougher conditions in the afternoon, including a higher track temperature and a stiff breeze – but no-one told Dunker, who broke Herfoss’ hours-old lap record to set a new benchmark of 58.626. That was on lap five as he tried to keep Jones in his orbit as both riders cleared away from the main pack in the shortened 10-lapper – the first attempt red-flagged after Favelle went down hard at turn four.

With the leaders firmly ensconced at the front, West slotted into third ahead of Herfoss, Waters and Halliday, and that’s how they remained for the balance of the race. Nahlous was seventh from Pearson, Allerton and John Lytras (Caboolture Yamaha #308).

Race Two Results

  1. Mike Jones
  2. Cameron Dunker (+0.117)
  3. Anthony West (3.528)
  4. Troy Herfoss (+4.819)
  5. Josh Waters (4.906)

Championship Points

  1. Josh Waters – 338 Points
  2. Mike Jones – 288 Points
  3. Anthony West – 269 Points
  4. Cameron Dunker – 215 Points
  5. Glenn Allerton – 213 Points

All detailed ASBK Championship class results are here.

Kawasaki Supersport

It was 2024 all over again at One Raceway, as Stop and Seal teammates Jack Mahaffy and Archie McDonald shared victories and second places in Kawasaki Supersport, with the latter winning overall courtesy of his bonus point for pole position on Saturday. Olly Simpson (BCperformance Kawasaki, 4-3) was third overall, which means the championship will go down to the wire at The Bend from November 7-9 with Mahaffy leading on 265pts from McDonald (241) and Simpson (234).

Meanwhile, the Supersport Next Gen class was again held in conjunction with Kawasaki Supersport, with Goulburn’s very own hard-charger Tom Toparis (Stop and Seal Ducati) easily accounting for Luca Durning (DesmoSport Ducati #21) in both races as well as finishing 2-3 amongst all the runners.

In race one, an early bingle for Hayden Nelson (BCperformance Kawasaki) – who would also go down (and remount) in race two in a dirty day for the 2024 One Raceway double podium finisher – brought out the red flag, and in the 15-lap restart, McDonald got the perfect jump from pole before the back end of his Yamaha skipped out a few corners later and he ran off the circuit, rejoining in 17th.

He immediately began carving his way back through the pack, with a new lap record of 1:00.155 on lap five an indication of his haste. McDonald’s early error opened the door for Mahaffy, and he seized his opportunity by hitting the lead and checking out, with Toparis second from McDonald, Tom Edwards (Team BWR Yamaha), Simpson, Marcus Hamod (Motocity Honda), Tom Bramich (Apex Yamaha #44) and Mitch Simpson (Yamaha).

Jake Farnsworth (Worth Race Developments Yamaha) and Will Nassif (Yamaha) were among the three DNFs after the former crashed and Nassif was caught up as collateral damage. Race two saw three leaders – Toparis (laps 1-5), Mahaffy (6-7) and McDonald (8-16) – as the trio made it an intra-team scrimmage. McDonald held out Mahaffy by 0.214 seconds in a tense final lap, with Toparis third from Simpson, Hamod, Edwards, Farnsworth and Bramich. Bramich (184pts) moved onto fourth in the standings at the expense of Nelson (172) at One Raceway, while Farnsworth (162) is sixth.

Round Results

  1. Archie Mcdonald – 46 Points
  2. Jack Mahaffy – 45 Points
  3. Olly Simpson – 35 Points
  4. Tom Edwards – 34 Points
  5. Marcos Hamod – 33 Points

Championship Points

  1. Jack Mahaffy – 265 Points
  2. Archie Mcdonald – 241 Points
  3. Olly Simpson – 234 Points
  4. Tom Bramich – 184 Points
  5. Hayden Nelson – 172 Points

Race and Road Supersport 300

Nicholson (Kawasaki) is the 2025 champion, building an insurmountable lead at One Raceway after his 7-4-4 finishes and a new lap record of 1:05.710. He now joins the likes of current Moto2 pilot Senna Agius and Dunker as recent Supersport 300 winners, in a season where his consistency has set him apart from the rest of the field: 13 podiums in 18 races, including five wins.

“The hard work behind the scenes to get here has been enormous, including Mum and Dad, who have supported me throughout my career and put in so much effort,” said an elated Nicholson, who’s also studying for a commerce degree. My partner and brothers also join me at all the race meetings, so everyone puts in a tonne of work.”

Nicholson (340pts) now heads to The Bend with the weight lifted off his shoulders. He’s ahead of Jake Paige (Kawasaki, 260pts), Jordy Simpson (Yamaha, 243pts), Tara Morrison (Kawasaki, 233pts) and Tyler King (Kawasaki, 228pts). Paige (2-1-1) was the overall winner at One Raceway ahead of teammate Riley Nauta (1-2-3) and Valentino Knezovic (Yamaha, 3-3-5), while Hudson Thompson (Yamaha #41) also finished on the podium with his second in race three.

Nauta’s victory in race one went against the normal Supersport 300 grain, with his margin over Paige a whopping 3.497 seconds. Normal service was then resumed in races two and three, with Page winning those by a combined 0.287 seconds.

Championship Points

  1. Scott Nicholson – 340 Points
  2. Jake Paige – 260 Points
  3. Jordy Simpson – 243 Points
  4. Tara Morrison – 233 Points
  5. Tyler King – 228 Points

BLU CRU Oceania Junior Cup

The 2025 BLU CRU Oceania Junior Cup (OJC) continued at One Raceway from October 3-5, with the compact nature of the Goulburn circuit perfectly suited to the fleet of diminutive Yamaha YZF-R15s. And that equated to crackerjack entertainment, with three different winners – Ghage Plowman, Rossi McAdam and Chaz Willliams (#18) – a new lap record and the normal wafer-thin margins right through the 17-rider field.

In terms of standings, Williams clawed back precious points on Connor Lewis, which means we’re set for a grandstand finish at The Bend from November 7-9 to see who will become the seventh OJC champion since 2019. After strong and biting winds on Friday made it hard work for the OJC field – and the rest of the ASBK paddock for that matter – the riders were greeted with more benign conditions on Saturday for qualifying and race one. Williams was on pole, but in the opener it was Plowman, who won his first OJC race ahead of McAdam and Lewis.

It was then McAdam’s turn to shine in the first race on Sunday from Thomas Cameron and Hunter Charlett, although it was Lewis who set a new lap record of 1:14.968 in what was the fastest of the three races. Williams, who was 8-5 until that point, then went up a notch in race three to defeat Lewis and trim the championship gap back to 3pts. Third was McAdam, who took the round honours ahead of Williams and Cameron.

Championship Points

  1. Connor Lewis – 270 Points
  2. Chaz Williams – 267 Points
  3. Rossi McAdam – 232 Points
  4. Hunter Charlett – 223 Points
  5. Xavi Curmi – 219 Points

 

WorldSBK 2025 Round 10 Report | Bulega answers back at Aragon

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WorldSBK Round 10 | Bulega answers back at Aragon | Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #11) made it two from two after outfoxing Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) at round 10 of the WorldSBK championship at Aragon Report: WorldSBK/Ed Stratmann

Friday practice
WorldSBK

Friday honours were split between Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team #1) and Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) on Friday at MotorLand Aragon as the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship descended on Spain. ‘El Turco’ set the pace in the morning FP1 session for the Tissot Aragon Round, before ‘Bulegas’ responded in FP2, with Razgatlioglu’s opening effort from Free Practice 1 the fastest time of the day.

Read our previous WorldSBK reports here…

WorldSSP

The FIM Supersport World Championship field attacked their Tissot Superpole session on Friday as they led the paddock into the weekend’s action. Mattia Casadei (Motozoo ME Air Racing #40) topped the timesheets at MotorLand Aragon to open the weekend, followed on the front row by Valentin Debise (Renzi Corse #53) and Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team #52).

Saturday
WorldSBK

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) stormed to a first MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship pole position since Misano as he obliterated the lap record at MotorLand Aragon. The #11 had waited 104 days since his last pole as he put in an unbelievable performance as the grid was set for the Tissot Aragon Round, with Championship leader Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) going from second and Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team #22) completing the front row.

WorldSBK Race 1

Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) secured his 13th consecutive win after a thrilling 18-lap battle with Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) at MotorLand Aragon. This marked Razgatlioglu’s first victory at the Spanish circuit and extended his record streak. At the start, Razgatlioglu aggressively took the lead from Bulega, who was briefly pushed to third behind Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team). Bulega quickly regained positions, passing Lowes at Turn 7 and Razgatlioglu at Turn 16 to lead on lap one. The lead swapped repeatedly over the opening laps, with Razgatlioglu and Bulega trading places multiple times through key corners like Turn 1, Turn 7 and Turn 15.

By lap five, Bulega took the lead again at Turn 1, closely followed by Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team #14). Razgatlioglu pushed back at Turn 15, keeping the intense battle alive. The two riders continued swapping the lead several times between laps seven and eight, with Bulega’s bold moves challenged by Razgatlioglu’s strong defences. Despite Bulega’s persistent attacks, Razgatlioglu pulled away slightly on lap ten, but the race remained tightly contested. On the final lap, Bulega attempted a last-ditch pass at Turn 1, but Razgatlioglu held firm, crossing the line with a 0.338 second gap. Notably, Bulega set the fastest lap of the race during this final push.

Razgatlioglu’s win marked his 19th of the year – the most in a single season – and matched his own record of 13 consecutive victories. Bulega earned his 48th career podium, while Sam Lowes completed the podium in third, witnessing the intense duel from a close vantage point. Further back, Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team #9) defended his position against Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #19) until Bautista crashed at Turn 15. This promoted Alex Lowes to fifth, while Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven #29) overtook Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha #55) late to finish sixth.

“I’m very happy because finally I’ve won at Aragon. It was a difficult race for me. We fought a lot in the beginning. I was just focused on winning, but this was difficult for me because Bulega was very strong in the final corner,” Razgatlioglu said.

WorldSBK Race 1 Results

  1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 1’49.049s
  2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.030s
  3. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +0.977s
  4. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) 4.114s
  5. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +6.485s

WorldSSP Race 1

The Frenchman Valentin Debise (Renzi Corse) finally broke through in Spain, securing his first career win in his 88th WorldSSP race at the Tissot Aragon Round. The victory at MotorLand Aragon was a milestone for Debise, who fought off stiff competition to claim the top step. Joining him on the podium were Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team #61) in second, earning his 13th podium of the season, and Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing #62), who added his 56th career podium by finishing third. Oncu and Manzi’s Yamaha machines helped boost the manufacturer’s all-time WorldSSP podium tally to 440.

Debise launched aggressively from P2 on the grid to take the holeshot, closely followed by Oncu and Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team). Meanwhile, polesitter Mattia Casadei dropped back to P8 early on. By Lap 2, Debise and Oncu had pulled nearly seven-tenths of a second clear of the chasing pack. By Lap 4, Championship leader Manzi had positioned himself just behind the front two and began cutting the gap to less than half a second. The front duo traded intense overtakes repeatedly at Turn 16 and Turn 1 throughout the race. Oncu led across the line on Lap 16, but Debise used his Ducati Panigale V2’s superior straight-line speed to regain the lead multiple times.

On the final lap, Oncu attempted a last-ditch move, but Debise’s power on the back straight proved decisive, holding off the Turkish star for a historic first win. Manzi finished over three seconds behind, securing a strategic P3 that keeps him on course to clinch his first WorldSSP title. Further back, Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team #65) and Filippo Farioli (MV Agusta Reparto Corse #77) battled for fourth. Oettl edged out Farioli, who was the top MV Agusta finisher in fifth. Spanish rider Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura #51) climbed late to sixth after being locked out of the top eight for much of the race.

WorldSSP Race 1 Results

  1. Valentin Debise (Renzi Corse) 1’53.213s
  2. Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) +0.197s
  3. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +3.236s
  4. Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) +5.842s
  5. Filippo Farioli (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) +8.685s

Sunday
Superpole Race

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #11) returned to the top step at MotorLand Aragon after a thrilling last-corner pass on Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team #1) in the 10-lap Tissot Superpole Race. This marked Bulega’s first win since May, again secured with a decisive final-corner overtake on Razgatlioglu. Bulega grabbed the holeshot, but Razgatlioglu quickly took the lead at Turn 15 on lap one. The #1 defended at Turn 16 but ran wide at Turn 17, allowing Bulega back ahead. The pair swapped positions multiple times – on lap two, Razgatlioglu passed, only to be outbraked by Bulega at Turn 1, though ‘El Turco’ held the outside line at Turn 2.

Lap three saw them side-by-side through several corners, with Razgatlioglu leading out of Turn 17. On lap four, Bulega made a move at Turn 16, pulling a small gap before Razgatlioglu forced his way through at Turn 15. Bulega responded immediately, regaining the lead through Turn 16. This back-and-forth continued lap after lap, with multiple position swaps at Turns 7, 12, 15 and 16. On the final lap, Bulega took the lead at Turn 16 but ran wide at Turn 7, allowing Razgatlioglu to slip ahead at Turn 8. However, ‘El Turco’ then ran wide at Turn 16, giving Bulega the opportunity to reclaim the lead on the back straight and secure a hard-fought victory. Lap eight was the only lap without a position change between the two.

Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) finished third, returning to the podium and ending Razgatlioglu’s 13-race winning streak, which matched his own record. This also marked BMW’s 100th podium in WorldSBK. Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven #29) claimed P4, less than a second behind Bautista, fending off Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team #14), who finished fifth after running in podium positions.

Superpole Race Results

  1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
  2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +0.105s
  3. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.703s
  4. Andrea Iannone (Team Pata Go Eleven) +1.593s
  5. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +1.810s

WorldSBK Race 2

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #11) made it two wins from two races on Sunday at MotorLand Aragon in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, edging out Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team #1) in another fierce battle at the Tissot Aragon Round. The Ducati star claimed his 10th win of the season, matching Max Biaggi’s record for Italian riders, while scoring his 50th career podium.

The race opened with Razgatlioglu making a move at Turn 15, only for Bulega to respond at Turn 16. Lap 2 saw ‘El Turco’ take the lead at Turn 14, but Bulega fought back at Turn 16. The pair exchanged positions repeatedly over key corners, including Turn 1 and Turn 16, battling fiercely throughout the race. On Lap 7, Razgatlioglu led at his favourite Turn 15, but Bulega re-passed at Turn 16. This duelling continued through laps 8 and 9, with position swaps at Turns 7, 12, 15 and 16. On Lap 11, Bulega took the lead at Turn 16, and despite Razgatlioglu’s efforts, a wide line at Turn 7 on Lap 12 allowed Bulega to pull ahead by about a second.

Bulega held the lead on the back straight and defended successfully, securing the victory and extending Razgatlioglu’s podium streak to 21 races, a personal best. The fight for the final podium spot heated up early as Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #19) had a poor start but quickly climbed back. Jonathan Rea (Pata Maxus Yamaha #65) moved into the top five and challenged Bautista but settled into P4 as Bautista pulled away to finish third.

Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven #29) passed Rea on Lap 14 to take fourth. Rea then battled Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team #14), who fell at Turn 14 on the penultimate lap, leaving Rea to finish fifth – matching his best result of the season.

“I’m really happy because I needed these two wins this Sunday. It was very difficult because Toprak was very strong and aggressive throughout the whole weekend. I just tried to stay with him and respond to his overtakes, and it was a great pair of battles. I enjoyed it a lot,” Bulega insisted.

WorldSBK Race 2 Results

  1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’48.459s
  2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +3.248s
  3. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +4.973s
  4. Andrea Iannone (Team Pata Go Eleven) +12.904s
  5. Jonathan Rea (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +13.521s

Championship Points

  1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 523
  2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 487
  3. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) 284
  4. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) 254
  5. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 253

WorldSSP Race 2

Oncu’s win breathes life into the 2025 Championship picture, cutting Manzi’s lead down to 60 points. After Saturday’s Race 1 saw Valentin Debise earn his first win in the FIM Supersport World Championship, the WorldSSP field took to the track for the last time for the final race of their Tissot Aragon Round at Motorland Aragon. Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) emerged victorious on Sunday afternoon, winning his 6th race of the season and the 7th race of his career. Joining him on the podium were Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) and Valentin Debise (Renzi Corse), who enjoyed their 16th and 4th podium appearances of the season, respectively.

Manzi leapt forward from P2, overtaking polesitter Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team,) who by T3 was back to P3. Oncu powered off the line from P7 to take the race lead by the second sector. Manzi saw himself back in fifth by Lap 5, overtaken by Oettl, Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) and Valentin Debise (Renzi Corse).

Manzi, however, showcased his trademark composure and made a late climb back up to P1, battling with Oncu in the last five laps for the race lead, as the pair had put roughly a quarter of a second between them and Debise in P3 by Lap 13. By the final lap, Debise closed the gap between the pair, and in the back straight, the trio went three wide as they sprinted towards the final loop. Oncu cut across the nose of Manzi in P2 from the inside towards the outside, leading the trio out of Turn 17 towards the finish line. The two Yamaha rivals opened up the throttle and pipped the title leader Manzi by 0.027s in P2 and Valentin Debise was top Ducati in P3.

Oettl’s return to the podium fight will put wind in the sails of the Feel Racing camp as they hope to close their season strong. The German finished in P4. Jaume Masia by Lap 3 had carved seven positions forward to P4 from his P11 start position, finishing just a position behind that as the Spanish rookie finished P5.

WorldSSP Race 2 Results

  1. Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) 1’53.310s
  2. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +0.027s
  3. Valentin Debise (Renzi Corse) +0.146s
  4. Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) +0.499s
  5. Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) +2.846s

Championship Points

  1. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) 344 points
  2. Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) 275
  3. Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) 214
  4. Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) 191
  5. Bo Bendsneyder (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) 178

WorldSSP300
WorldSSP300 Race 1

A dramatic conclusion to the WorldSSP300 season is building as David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI #38) closed to within seven points of title leader Benat Fernandez (Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove #7) following an intense race at MotorLand Aragon. Carter Thompson (#50) took his second career WorldSSP300 victory, with Salvador and Fernandez joining him on the podium for P2 and P3, respectively. Fernandez grabbed the holeshot ahead of Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300 #91) and Thompson as a competitive pack followed closely. A group of five riders traded the lead freely but struggled to break away, with seven riders within one second of P1 by mid-race. Salvador consistently attacked from within the pack, making late moves to gain positions.

On the final lap, Salvador led going into the back straight, but Thompson managed to slip ahead and block him through Turn 16, securing the win and pushing Salvador to second. Riding in his home round, Fernandez used his Red Bull Rookies Cup experience to make a smart late move, boxing out Vannucci to clinch P3 and maintain a narrow seven-point championship lead. Matteo Vannucci, who earned pole with a record-breaking Tissot Superpole time, stayed with the leaders early but was forced wide in a congested corner on Lap 2, dropping to P16. He fought back impressively to contest the podium late in the race, finishing fourth.

Juan Risueno (MS Racing #39) followed his fellow Yamaha rider across the line for P5, a solid finish after starting the race in sixth position.

WorldSSP300 Race 1 Results

  1. Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki) 2’06.522s
  2. David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) +0.037s
  3. Benat Fernandez (Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove) +0.202s
  4. Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300) +0.317s
  5. Juan Risueno (MS Racing) +0.358s

WorldSSP300 Race 2

Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300 #91) cruised to his first win since 2023 as the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship concluded the Tissot Aragon Round with a chaotic race at MotorLand Aragon. Despite crashes shaking up the field behind him, Vannucci rode clear to take his fourth career victory and his first since Imola 2023. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki #71) secured his second podium since returning to the class, while Humberto Maier (Yamaha AD78 FIMLA by MS Racing #12) rounded out the rostrum with his seventh career podium. Championship leader Benat Fernandez (Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove #7) dropped to P10 but extended his lead to 13 points after his main rivals all went down.

Juan Risueno (MS Racing #39) took the holeshot and led early until Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki #50) pushed him down to second at Turn 4 on Lap 1. The front group of Risueno, Thompson, Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing #6) and Vannucci battled fiercely until Thompson suffered a big high-side crash at Turn 5, collecting Buis in the process and ending both their races. David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI #38) and Phillip Tonn (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing #66) crashed at Turn 14, while Roberto Fernandez (Kawasaki Junior Team by MTM #13) went down at Turn 7.

Risueno later crashed at Turn 3 on Lap 6 and was taken to the medical centre. Meanwhile, Vannucci pulled away to build an 8 second lead by Lap 7 and finished with a 10.135 second gap, the third-largest in WorldSSP300 history. Daniel Mogeda (Pons Motosport Italika Racing #88) improved to P4, matching his Magny-Cours Race 2 result. Wildcard Jakob Rosenthaler (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing #78) impressed with P5, and Pepe Osuna (ZAPPAS-DEZA-BOX 77 Racing Team #77) celebrated a career-best P6 on home soil.

WorldSSP300 Race 2 Results

  1. Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300)
  2. Loris Veneman (EAB Racing Team) +10.135s
  3. Humberto Maier (Yamaha AD78 FIMLA by MS Racing) +10.182s
  4. Daniel Mogeda (Pons Motosport Italika Racing) +10.273s
  5. Jakob Rosenthaler (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing) +10.374s

Championship Points

  1. Benat Fernandez (Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove) 172
  2. David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) 159
  3. Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki) 150
  4. Julio García (Prodina Kawasaki Racing Sport) 136
  5. Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing) 131

How did the Aussies Do?

Remy Gardner (#87) endured a tough weekend in Aragon on a track that didn’t suit his Yamaha machine, with an electrical issue forcing him to retire in Race One before claiming 16th in the Superpole Race and P12 in Race Two. Race One proved to be a difficult outing for PTR Triumph’s Oli Bayliss (#32) after a crash in qualifying, with him only able to muster 23rd. The talented Aussie then bounced back in the second bout, where he surged through the field from as far back as 25th to claim 13th.

WorldSBK 2025 Round 10 Gallery

 

 

Aussies Racing Abroad | September 2025

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Aussies Abroad September 2025 | With many Australians showcasing their skills abroad in a range of disciplines both on-track and off-road, our latest column focuses on how they’re faring battling it out with the best in their chosen classes. Here is Ed’s latest update… Words: Ed Stratmann

On-Track
Jack Miller – MotoGP

Kicking his August off with a 12th in the Sprint after starting 14th in Catalunya, this was a solid effort in a bout where he displayed some excellent pace and engaged in some fierce battles throughout. In the main race, he recovered from early adversity to secure 14th place, fighting his way back into the points after being pushed wide by Brad Binder on the opening lap, which had dropped him to the back of the field. Keen for more at Misano, Jack Miller (#43) began his weekend with a decent 14th in the Sprint, clawing his way back from 20th on the grid despite him not feeling overly confident on the bike. He followed that up with a gritty ride to 12th in Sunday’s main race, once again carving through the field – this time from 21st – to round out what was another tidy body of work.

“It’s been a relatively good day, considering where we started and where we finished. I lost quite a bit of time in the opening laps while settling into my rhythm, but from around lap eight until about six laps from the end, I felt pretty good and confident on the bike, even setting my best lap of the race in that stint. From then on, with a low fuel load and worn tyres, the bike started moving around a lot, and it was difficult to manage the weight transfer – that‘s something we need to work on. Overall though, I’m satisfied: I had a solid Sprint and a solid Sunday. We’re still missing a bit of speed, but the team did a good job. We have an important test, where I’ll try the new Yamaha YZR-M1 V4 prototype,” he commented.

Read our previous Aussies Racing Abroad columns here…

Speaking of the test, and Miller was content following his first outing on Yamaha’s new V4, noting that there’s much to like already even though there’s huge scope for improvement given the project’s still in its early stages.

Senna Agius – Moto2

Despite banking an impressive P8 in qualifying, Senna Agius frustratingly could only manage 14th in the race, as he was hindered by a sluggish start, grip issues and a long lap penalty on his return from his brutal crash in Austria. Eager to come out swinging in Misano, this is exactly what the Aussie flyer did, for he produced a sterling showing, which began with a strong P7 in qualifying: just 0.190 seconds off the fastest time. He then positively transferred his pace into the race, with him riding with plenty of intensity and fight to clinch fifth, which secured him a valuable points haul to propel him from tenth to eighth in the Moto2 standings.

“It was a good race, I can’t complain. Fourth place would have been the best I could have hoped for today. Maybe even a little better, because I saw the podium and relived that feeling I’ve been missing over the last months. But I got a little kick from behind and ended up on the kerbs, where I almost lost control of the front on the outside. I almost had a serious crash because it was at a fast place. Fifth place at the end is good, and we’ve made up a little ground in the championship, which is nice.” Agius reflected.

Joel Kelso – Moto3

Joel Kelso rocketed to P2 in qualifying at Barcelona, setting himself up nicely for an uplifting race. However, he was unable to fully convert that speed when it counted, slipping as far back as 14th before fighting back to finish a respectable seventh.

At Misano, Kelso wanted to carry that momentum. And he did just that by bagging an eye-catching P3 in Friday practice. He duly backed it up with another front-row start in qualifying and went on to finish fourth in the race to cap off a fine round at the office.

“Not the smoothest race today – made it to the front but got shuffled back after a small mistake. Fought my way through to finish with solid points. Happy to have the good feeling back on the bike and ready to build for the second half of the season. Time to tidy up a few things and go again next weekend,” Kelso stated.

Jacob Roulstone – Moto3

While he was dissatisfied with only logging P11 in qualifying, mainly due to getting stuck behind others on slow laps at Catalunya, Jacob Roulstone was ready to show his class in Sunday’s showdown. But his race ended in devastation after a technical issue forced him to retire.

“Really unfortunate once again. It seems that when everything is going good, I can’t catch any luck. I don’t know how many ladders I walked under this year, but I am really upset. It is the third time this year that I am having this issue. I know it is out of the team’s control, so it’s just a really big shame. I felt really strong from lap one, I showed top speed, so it is sad,” he lamented.

It was a weekend of highs and lows in San Marino too. After securing the first front row of his GP career with a superb P3 in qualifying, tyre issues meant P11 was the best he could salvage in the race.

“We felt good at the start. I tried to manage myself, but I quickly struggled with the tyre drop, and I was a bit lost. I am a bit disappointed, of course, but we take the positives from this weekend, and let’s keep working,” admitted Roulstone.

Remy Gardner – World Superbike

Despite feeling sore from his Balaton spill, Remy Gardner produced a valiant effort on the physically demanding Magny-Cours circuit to register a brave sixth in the opening race. An 11th in the Superpole Race then followed for the #87 before he picked up an admirable P13 in the final race to close out the French round.

“Unfortunately, in the sprint race we couldn’t hold our position early on, even though our pace was good in the closing stages. That meant starting one row further back for race two, which made things a bit tougher. We tried to work our way through the field and kept a consistent pace, but it wasn’t quite enough to gain more places. Now we’ll focus on Aragon and take some time to rest,” Gardner said.

Oli Bayliss – World Supersport

While beginning race one from the back after a collision with Kaito Toba prevented him from completing a qualifying lap, Oli Bayliss mounted a spirited charge, gaining 18 spots to finish 12th over the 19-lapper. Bayliss once again put in a remarkable comeback in the second stanza, where, having started from the back, the Australian steadily sliced through the field at a rate of over one place per lap, showing both pace and determination. His remarkable surge to tenth at the chequered flag was certainly a supreme effort.

“It was a frustrating kind of a weekend. We had a pretty good free practice, and as we all know, we got taken out of the first lap of qualifying, so we had to start at the back of the grid. We were really close to making the lap time in race one to start one of the first nine in race two, we just missed out, so we had to start at the back again. We made good progress throughout the race and finished tenth. We were really fast at the end of the race, it’s annoying because I think we could have had some really good results, but we are just going to have to try again next time,” he noted.

Off-Track
Jett Lawrence – SuperMotocross

Jett Lawrence capped off an extraordinary 2025 season with another sensational performance at the SMX finale in Las Vegas to secure his third consecutive SuperMotocross 450 Championship. Entering the final round with just a six-point edge over his brother Hunter and facing a triple-points format, Jett was under intense pressure in a winner-take-all duel. And he delivered when it mattered most, overcoming average starts in both motos to go 1-2 on the night. A critical late-race pass on Eli Tomac in the second moto clinched the overall victory and the title, netting him $1 million and his 10th career AMA crown – tying him with legends Jeremy McGrath and Ryan Villopoto. At just 22, Jett remains the only rider to have claimed every premier category SMX title since the series began in 2023, cementing his place as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

“It was a good race weekend. Hunter rode well and executed two starts, which made it hard on me. The first moto, I was able to dig deep and get that moto win, thankfully, it saved me for sure. In the second moto, I got another bad start, and the boys were riding well. Honestly, I didn’t think I was going to be able to catch Eli to make the pass, but in the last few laps I was able to close up. I saw an opportunity to pass and jumped on it real quick. I was able to make it stick and get the win. It’s awesome to go 1-2 with Hunter and me,” Jett explained.

Hunter Lawrence – SuperMotocross

Hunter Lawrence may have narrowly missed out on the SMX 450 title, but his exertions in Las Vegas were nothing short of impressive. With the championship on the line and only six points separating him from his younger brother Jett, Hunter came out all guns blazing. He led both motos early and even held on to win the second, showcasing his speed, maturity and racecraft. His third in moto one and triumph in the second earned him second overall on the night and in the final standings – along with a hefty $500,000 payout. While he fell just short of the title, Hunter’s consistency and ability to push his brother to the limit underlined why he’s a top-tier contender in the premier class.

“Yeah, I’m gutted. I did everything I could in that one, felt like I just gave it 110% every time I went on the track. Just came up short,” Hunter insisted.

Jake Cannon – EMX250

Aussie Bud Racing ace Jake Cannon ended his EMX250 season well despite enduring some adversity. Although all the signs were looking good in race one, where he was running fourth, his moto was scuppered when he got run into by another rider, which relegated him to eleventh. Recalibrating his focus swiftly, he notably fought back to finish seventh.

Then, in the second moto, Cannon didn’t let being pushed wide condition his race, as he rapidly regained his composure, and charged from ninth to fourth. His resilient output saw him secure fourth overall and eighth in the final EMX250 standings.

Liam Owens – EMX250

Liam Owens wrapped up his 2025 EMX250 crusade in style by powering himself to the podium at the finale in Turkey to close out the term with back-to-back podiums to clinch an outstanding fifth in the gruelling EMX250 championship.

While battling a bout of food poisoning wasn’t ideal in race one, Owens charged from 13th on the first lap to finish an excellent fourth. Feeling better on Sunday, the hotshot found his groove again to take home third to earn third overall.

“Back-to-back podiums to finish my 2025 EMX250 campaign. This weekend in Turkey was definitely an experience, from eating the wrong food and throwing up in race one to riding in the altitude and bikes feeling slower because of it,” Owens posted.

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

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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.”

Marc Marquez became Ducati’s fourth MotoGP world champ in Japan this year.

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.

 

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