The 88th edition of the Bol d’Or at Paul Ricard ended in spectacular fashion, delivering one of the most dramatic finales in endurance racing history. Yoshimura SERT Motul stormed to a dominant race victory, but it was YART Yamaha who emerged as FIM Endurance World Champions. Press: EWC
From the early stages, the #12 Yoshimura SERT Suzuki GSX-R1000R set the pace. Gregg Black, Étienne Masson and Dan Linfoot carried the team’s momentum into the night, barely relinquishing control as they racked up maximum points. Their consistency, pit discipline and relentless pace ensured a third consecutive Bol d’Or win, confirming the team’s reputation as one of endurance racing’s strongest forces.
Yet the championship fight lay elsewhere. BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team looked set to clinch their first EWC title until disaster struck with just 30 minutes left on the clock. A mechanical failure forced the M1000RR out of contention, handing the advantage to Yamaha.
For YART Yamaha, the 2025 season had already been a landmark campaign, including victories at the 24 Heures Motos and strong performances at Spa. In France, the trio of Marvin Fritz, Karel Hanika and Australian Jason O’Halloran kept their composure under immense pressure. Despite setbacks – including minor technical issues and illness in the camp – they secured enough points to leapfrog BMW and seal Yamaha’s second world crown in three years.
Their triumph also marked history for O’Halloran, who became the sixth Australian to win an FIM EWC championship, further strengthening Australia’s presence on the global stage.
There were more stories across the classes. Champion-MRP-Tecmas battled adversity to secure victory in Superstock, while National Motos Honda lifted the Endurance World Cup for a second year running. ARTEC #199 wrote their own page of history by winning the Production competition title.
Rieju, TSR Honda and ERC Endurance were among those sidelined during the gruelling 24-hour marathon, proof once again of the unforgiving nature of endurance racing.
For Australian fans, the result was especially sweet. Jason O’Halloran’s championship win with YART has put another Aussie name on the EWC honour roll, joining legends who have carried the flag in one of the world’s toughest racing arenas. With more local riders eyeing international endurance competition, and growing broadcast access in Australia, the EWC is carving out a stronger profile among local enthusiasts.
In total, Ducati, BMW and Honda all showed flashes of brilliance during 2025, but Yamaha’s ability to adapt and endure over four rounds proved decisive. SERT may have stood on the top step at Le Castellet, yet it was YART Yamaha who carried the trophy home, underscoring the unpredictable beauty of endurance racing.
The curtain falls on the 2025 FIM EWC season with Yamaha crowned champions, Suzuki celebrating a Bol d’Or masterclass, and fans already looking ahead to 2026. For Australians, there’s added pride knowing one of our own played a decisive role in this unforgettable campaign.
MotoGP Round 16 2025 Report | Marc Marquez holds off Bezzecchi at MisanoMarc Marquez (#93) reigned supreme over Marco Bezzecchi (#72) on the way to Championship point in Motegi as the duo traded fastest laps to the flag. Report: Ed Stratmann/MotoGP Press
Friday Practice and Saturday Qualifying
MotoGP
A 1:30.480 saw Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) pocket Day 1 honours at the Red Bull Grand Prix of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera in a tightly contested afternoon in the weekly MotoGP chase for the top 10 on a Friday. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) was second fastest on home turf for him and the Noale factory, 0.147s the gap, as Franco Morbidelli (#21) handed Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team a top three heading into Saturday’s action at Misano.
Misano had a home hero on pole thanks to Marco Bezzecchi’s (Aprilia Racing) late run in a fascinating MotoGP Q2. The Italian landed a 1:30.134 on his penultimate flying lap to beat Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #72) by just 0.088s, while Q1 graduate Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP #20) also got within a tenth of a Saturday morning P1. Championship leader Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) launched from P4 ahead of a quartet of hungry Italians.
Moto2
It was a perfect start to his second home round of the year for Celestino Vietti (Beta Tools SpeedRS Team #13) as the Italian clinched P1 on Friday at Misano. Going into Saturday as the rider to beat, it was a solid start for Vietti, who continued to chase his first win of the year, and where better to get it than at Misano? Elsewhere, title race leader Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP #18) earned a Friday P2 ahead of Catalan GP winner Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team #27) in third.
Fresh from his first Moto2 win from his first pole in the class, Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Aspar Team) remained the class of the field post-qualifying in Misano. A new record 1:34.216 put the Spanish rookie ahead of home hero Celestino Vietti (SUP Racing) by just 0.040s, with points leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) in third.
Moto3
That’s what a great afternoon at the office looks like for Leopard Racing as David Almansa (#22) and Adrian Fernandez (#31) handed the Honda outfit a 1-2 Friday finish at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, with the session leader 0.498s clear of the field. Almansa’s 1:40.596 was the only time below the 1:41 mark, as Joel Kelso (LEVEL-UP MTA #66) completed the top three.
Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3 #73) took another pole position, the second of his impressive rookie season after the Red Bull Ring in Austria. Still, the Argentinean left it late to fly up the order to head a KTM front row lockout ahead of Joel Kelso (LEVELUP-MTA) and Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull KTM Tech 3 #12), the latter of whom made a first appearance on the front row.
Saturday Tissot Sprint
Simply the Bez. Saturday at the Red Bull Grand Prix of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera belonged to Marco Bezzecchi and Aprilia Racing, as the Italian stormed to his first gold medal in two years with a flawless home performance.
Bezzecchi and Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) battled early in the Tissot Sprint, but a rare error from the title leader saw him crash out at Turn 15. That opened the door for Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team #49) to secure the remaining podium places.
Bezzecchi grabbed the holeshot with a bold move around the outside at Turn 1, while Marc Marquez muscled into P2 past his brother. By Lap 3, Bezzecchi began edging clear, clocking a 1:30.970 to build a 0.4s lead.
Drama struck on Lap 5 as Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) crashed out of P4, promoting Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46) up the order.
Marc Marquez briefly hit the front on Lap 6 after a Bezzecchi mistake but crashed moments later, handing the lead back. From there, Bezzecchi fended off pressure from Alex Marquez, stretching his advantage to nearly a second by Lap 11.
On the final lap, Bezzecchi held firm, converting pole position into a Sprint win. Alex Marquez settled for second, with Di Giannantonio completing the podium. Morbidelli crossed the line in P4, narrowly behind his teammate. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing #37) claimed P5 ahead of rookie Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #54).
“It was a fantastic Saturday,” Bezzecchi explained. “I’m very happy to grab the Sprint win, I don’t even remember when my last one was. The race was not perfect because we had some issues during the race, but even having these problems, I was able to have a good pace. I knew that Marc was on the limit.”
Tissot Sprint Race Results
Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing
Alex Marquez BK8 Gresini Ducati (+1.000s)
Fabio Di Giannantonio Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+2.551s)
Franco Morbidelli Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+3.526s)
Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM (+6.834s)
Sunday MotoGP
Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) edged closer to the MotoGP World Championship with a hard-fought victory at the Red Bull Grand Prix of San Marino. After fending off relentless pressure from Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing), the #93 took top honours on Sunday, putting his Saturday crash behind him in style. Only Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), who finished third, can now mathematically deny him the title heading into Japan.
Drama unfolded before the start when Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing #1) suffered a sighting lap issue, forcing him to start the warm-up from pit lane. Though he reclaimed his grid spot, he was later handed two Long Lap penalties.
Once racing began, Bezzecchi held P1, but Marc Marquez was quickly on the attack. Alex Marquez slotted into third, with Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) P4. Early crashes from Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR #5), Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol #36) and Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team #79) thinned the field, and Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3 #12) retired on Lap 5.
Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) looked strong in P5 but was forced to retire when his chain came off – mirroring a Friday issue suffered by Brad Binder (#33). On Lap 10, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team #63) crashed out from P7.
Up front, Bezzecchi led until a Lap 12 mistake at Turn 8 allowed Marc Marquez to take control. Bezzecchi stuck close, the pair trading fastest laps as the battle intensified. Though the gap hovered between 0.3s and 0.6s, Bezzecchi couldn’t find a way through. Marc Marquez held strong to win by 0.415s. Bezzecchi settled for P2 after a valiant effort, with Alex Marquez 7.7s back in P3 to give Gresini a home podium.
Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) completed the top five, with Morbidelli narrowly ahead of his teammate.
“Today I gave everything I had. It’s true that the mistake from yesterday gave me extra concentration, power and energy. It’s super-important for Ducati, I felt the pressure this weekend to win the Italian GPs in Mugello and here, so I’m happy for it,” Marquez said.
Celestino Vietti (Beta Tools SpeedUp Team) claimed his first win of the 2025 season in dominant fashion at the San Marino GP, leading from Turn 1 and never looking back in front of an adoring home crowd. The Italian became the 10th different winner of the year in what’s now a record-breaking Moto2 season. Launching from P2, Vietti grabbed the holeshot ahead of Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team), Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team #10) and Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP). An early incident saw Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team #96) pushed wide at Turn 6, dropping him outside the top 10.
By Lap 7, a small gap had opened between second-placed Holgado and Moreira in third. On Lap 9, Gonzalez attempted a pass on Moreira at Turn 14 but ran wide. Their battle continued through Laps 11 and 13, with Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego #7) and Senna Agius (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP #81) closing in.
Gonzalez finally made a move stick at Turn 11, but Baltus was soon on the scene, snatching P3 from Gonzalez on Lap 13. Moreira then began slipping back, losing out to Agius in the top-five battle on Lap 15. Out front, Vietti steadily built his lead to over a second. Holgado, meanwhile, was under pressure from a charging Baltus, who claimed P2 with four laps remaining. Behind them, Agius passed Gonzalez after a Turn 1 mistake, though the Australian ran wide later, allowing Gonzalez and Moreira back through. In the final laps, Vietti stayed composed to resist any late pressure from Baltus and sealed back-to-back wins at Misano. Baltus finished a strong second – his fifth runner-up result of the year – while Holgado secured another podium in P3. Moreira crossed the line fourth, Agius took fifth and Gonzalez ended up sixth, losing more ground in the title fight.
Moto2 Race Results
Celestino Vietti Beta Tools SpeedRS
Barry Baltus Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO (+0.747s)
Daniel Holgado CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team (+3.911s)
Diogo Moreira Italtrans Racing Team (+4.246s)
Senna Agius Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP (K+7.973s)
Moto2 Championship Points
Manuel Gonzalez Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 227
Diogo Moreira Italtrans Racing Team – 188
Aron Canet Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 188
Barry Baltus Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 173
Jake Dixon Elf Marc VDS Racing – 152
Moto3
Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo #99) pulled off a dramatic last-corner overtake to win the Moto3 race at Misano, strengthening his grip on the championship heading into the flyaway rounds. Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team #28) was denied victory in the final moments but returned to the podium, while Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) banked his first top-three finish since Argentina with a late charge to P3.
The race exploded into action as Joel Kelso (LEVEL-UP MTA) and Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) traded places multiple times in the first few corners, with Kelso emerging in front. David Muñoz (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP #64) was strong early, moving into P2 before passing Perrone at Turn 12. By Lap 5, a front group of eight formed, including Rueda, Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull KTM Tech3), Fernandez, Quiles and Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI #36). Then, on Lap 6, Muñoz misjudged a move on Perrone at Turn 4, resulting in contact that sent him into the gravel and down to P19. Perrone dropped to P6, while the lead fight intensified.
Rueda took the lead for the first time on Lap 7 after passing Kelso at Turn 8. Quiles, showing his aggression, overtook Kelso on Lap 10, though the Aussie struck back a lap later. The top six remained tightly packed as Roulstone lost ground. With five laps to go, Rueda, Perrone, Kelso and Quiles led the charge, just ahead of Fernandez and Piqueras. The battle peaked with two laps to go, as Quiles snatched the lead through Turn 13, dropping Perrone from P1 to P4 in seconds. On the final lap, Quiles held firm through Turn 14, but Rueda launched a stunning move at the final corner to steal the win by inches. Fernandez capitalised on a mistake from Perrone to secure P3, ahead of Kelso and Piqueras, with Perrone finishing sixth, just 0.9s off victory.
Moto3 Race Results
Jose Antonio Rueda Red Bull KTM Ajo
Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team (+0.113s)
Adrian Fernandez Leopard Racing (+0.117s)
Joel Kelso LEVELUP – MTA (+0.164s)
Angel Piqueras FRINSA -MT Helmets – MSI (+0.456s)
Moto3 Championship Points
Jose Antonio Rueda Red Bull KTM Ajo – 295
Angel Piqueras FRINSA – MT Helmets – 217
Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team – 188
David Munoz Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 172
Alvaro Carpe Red Bull KTM Ajo – 155
MotoE
The Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli delivered the goods again for MotoE™ qualifying. After his pole in Barcelona, Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) bagged another P1 in qualifying ahead of Alessandro Zaccone (Aruba Cloud MotoE Team) and Andrea Mantovani (KLINT Forward Factory Team). Both returned to a front row that’s covered by less than a tenth of a second.
Alessandro Zaccone and Matteo Ferrari then won a race apiece, as the championship fight heads into the final round on a knife edge.
MotoE Race 1 Results
Alessandro Zaccone Aruba Cloud MotoE Team
Nicholas Spinelli Rivacold Snipers Team MotoE (+0.170s)
Andrea Mantovani KLINT Forward Factory Team (+0.882s)
Eric Granado LCR E-Team (+1.162s)
Matteo Ferrari Felo Gresini MotoE (+1.832s)
MotoE Race 2 Results
Matteo Ferrari Felo Gresini MotoE
Eric Granado LCR E-Team (+0.082s)
Mattia Casadei LCR E-Team (+0.173s)
Alessandro Zaccone Aruba Cloud MotoE Team (+0.420s)
Kevin Zannoni – Power Electronics Aspar Team (+0.732s)
MotoE Championship Points
Alessandro Zaccone Aruba Cloud MotoE Team – 160
Mattia Casadei LCR E-Team – 155
Matteo Ferrari Felo Gresini MotoE – 148
Lorenzo Baldassarri Dynavolt Intact GP – 148
Eric Granado LCR E-Team – 142
How Did the Aussies Do?
Jack Miller (#43) began his weekend in Misano with a respectable 14th in the Sprint after a stirring comeback from 20th on the grid. He then rounded out a solid weekend with a hard-earned 12th in the main race, charging through the field once again from 21st to the chequered flag. Banking P7 in qualifying, Senna Agius crucially transferred his speed into the race, where he produced a superb effort to claim P5.
Not bad at all, given he was recently sidelined with a nasty injury. Beginning his weekend with an excellent P3 on Friday, this served as the catalyst for a quality weekend at the office for Joel Kelso, as he went on to qualify second before clinching fourth in the race to cap off a fine Misano. Jacob Roulstone mixed the highs with the lows in San Marino, as he secured the first front row of his GP career by qualifying P3. Disappointingly, tyre issues meant P11 was the best he could muster in the race.
WorldSBK Report Round 9 2025 | In front of a weekend attendance of 51,041, the French Round at Magny-Cours was dominated by Toprak Razgatlioglu (#1). The ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team made it 12 wins in a row and extended his championship advantage to 39 points. Report: Ed Stratmann/WorldSBK
Friday practice WorldSBK
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #11) claimed top spot for Friday’s action at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, finishing four tenths clear of nearest rival Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team #14). Title rival Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) had looked like he would end the day in P1 but lost three places as FP2 came to a close at the French Round.
WorldSSP
Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team #61) earned pole position, followed by Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing #62) and Lucas Mahias (GMT94-YAMAHA #94). The session was halted just before time expired by a red flag caused by Mattia Volpi’s (Motozoo ME Air Racing #55) bike suffering a technical issue. With two minutes to go, riders returned to the track in a chaotic dash to the finish.
Saturday WorldSK
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) secured his first pole position at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship with a stunning 1’34.930s lap time. He was joined on the front row by title rival Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team).
WorldSBK Race 1
The French Round’s MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship race action broke out in force at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) emerged victorious on a sunny Saturday afternoon at the quaint French hamlet for his 16th win of the season, now just two below his 2024 race win tally. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) claimed P2 for Italy’s 500th WorldSBK podium, and in third, Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team #22) earned his 48th career podium.
Toprak Becomes the second-ever rider to win a race with three different manufacturers at the same track. Toprak Razgatlioglu landed the holeshot, and was followed into the first corner by Alex Lowes, who slid past Nicolo Bulega from the Englishman’s P4 start.
Lap after lap, Toprak slowly ran away with the race, having put more than four seconds between himself and Bulega behind him by Lap 11. From there, it was a lonely ride for ‘El Turco’ and ‘Bulegas’ alike as the #1 cruised to his ninth win at Magny-Cours, tying Jonathan Rea’s (#65) tally of nine wins at the French Circuit. Bulega led Lowes onto the rostrum in P2 as the British rider earned Bimota their 24th podium.
Alex Lowes earned his first dry Bimota podium since Hockenheim Race 2 in 1989 Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) and Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) battled brother on brother starting on Lap 6 as the twins scrapped tooth and nail for the final podium position. Alex led the duo until his brother Sam crashed out on Turn 13 of Lap 19 for a P9 finish. Riding some distance behind the brotherly duel, Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team #9) finished P4.
After starting one spot from the back of the grid in P22, Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha #55) worked his way all the way up to P8 on Lap 6 behind fellow Yamaha rider Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team #87). By Lap 14, ‘Loka’ climbed a further two positions to P6 and finally improved to a P5 finish after Sam Lowes’ crash in front of him. Behind the Italian, fellow Yamaha rider Gardner landed P6.
“Today was incredible because I earned pole position in the Superpole and broke the circuit record. This is special to me, especially after missing Magny-Cours last season because of the big crash I didn’t race. Now, I need to win here with BMW because this is my last season,”Razgatlioglu reflected.
WorldSBK Race 1 Results
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +8.597s
Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +10.979s
Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +17.793s
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +20.648s
WorldSSP Race 1
Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) pulled off a late-race comeback that will go down in FIM Supersport World Championship history at Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours. After a huge moment on the penultimate lap, the #62 regrouped to close in on Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) and passed him at Turn 13 on the last lap to claim a sensational victory in Race 1 of the French Round.
Oncu grabbed the holeshot as he aimed to reduce the gap to title rival Manzi, who settled for P3 early behind Lucas Mahias (GMT94-YAMAHA). Mahias moved past Oncu at Turn 5 on Lap 4, but Manzi reclaimed the lead the same lap at Turn 13, pushing Mahias to third. On Lap 6, Oncu retook the lead under heavy braking at Turn 5, only for Manzi to surprise him at Turn 15. Both traded positions throughout the race, with neither able to break away.
Manzi led until Lap 15 when Oncu took over at Turn 5, but Manzi responded at Turn 13. Two laps later, they battled side-by-side at Turn 5 as Oncu regained P1, only for Manzi to quickly pass him again at Turn 11. This back-and-forth continued, with Manzi making moves at multiple corners. A big moment at Turn 13 allowed Oncu to lead by over a second, but Manzi rapidly closed the gap. On the final lap, Manzi passed Oncu at Turn 13 and held on for a remarkable victory.
Meanwhile, Lucas Mahias and debutant Alberto Surra (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team #76) fought for P3 early on. Surra took third at Turn 5 on Lap 7 before Mahias regained it four laps later. Surra moved ahead again on Lap 16, and although Mahias crossed the line third, a three-second penalty for shortcutting promoted Surra onto the podium in his debut race.
WorldSSP Race 1 Results
Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing)
Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) +0.244s
Alberto Surra (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) +4.415s
Lucas Mahias (GMT94-YAMAHA) +5.991s
Corentin Perolari (Honda Racing World Supersport) +7.257s
Sunday Superpole Race
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) claimed victory ahead of Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) in the Superpole Race. Bulega’s P2 marked his 46th career podium, while Lowes secured his second straight podium, his 49th overall, tying Carlos Checa for 17th all-time in WorldSBK podiums.
Bulega got the holeshot from Razgatlioglu, but the defending champion quickly retook the lead at Turn 5 on the opening lap. On Lap 4 at Turn 15, Bulega ran wide and dropped to P4 behind Sam and Alex Lowes. Bulega would regain P2 shortly after, but his race ended on Lap 7 when he slid off at Turn 2 from fourth place. The front trio then pulled away, with Razgatlioglu taking the win, followed by Bulega and Alex Lowes.
Pic: David Clares
Razgatlioglu’s win set new records, making him the first rider with at least 10 wins at three different circuits and the most successful rider at Magny-Cours, surpassing Jonathan Rea’s nine wins.
Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) couldn’t match Lowes for the podium but pulled clear of BMW teammate Michael van der Mark (#60) to finish P4. Van der Mark held onto P5, matching his best result of the season from Assen’s Superpole Race.
Superpole Race Results
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +3.712s
Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +7.674s
Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +8.854s
Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +9.660s
WorldSBK Race 2
In the final race of the weekend at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) emphatically claimed his 75th WorldSBK win, cementing his status as the circuit’s most successful rider with a dominant performance.
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) completed the podium behind ‘El Turco’. Bulega’s second place marked the 27th time he’s finished runner-up to Razgatlioglu, while Lowes celebrated his 50th career podium and gave Bimota its third podium of the weekend – a feat not achieved since 1988. With this win, Razgatlioglu extended his Riders’ Championship lead to 39 points over Bulega, with nine races remaining across three rounds.
At the start, Razgatlioglu took the holeshot, followed by Bulega, Lowes and Jonathan Rea, who surged up from P7. The defending champion controlled the race smoothly, earning his fourth consecutive hat-trick of the season. Bulega secured his 23rd podium of the year, while Lowes continued Bimota’s strong weekend.
David Clares
Early in the race, Rea defended P5 against Michael van der Mark but soon began pressuring Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) for P4. Despite relentless attacks, Rea initially struggled to overtake. However, on Lap 8, he manoeuvred between Petrucci and Lowes to take third. The battle for the final podium spot was fierce until Lowes pulled ahead for his third straight podium. Rea’s pace then faded, and he dropped behind van der Mark and rival Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #19), finishing sixth.
“It looks like we took everything, but it was not an easy weekend, every lap I was pushing the limit, and I was trying to post a good pace. In general, we did a very good job; this was a product of teamwork. This is my favourite track, every race I did a good job and made a big gap, but more importantly, we won the races. We’ve pulled off another hat trick, and now the focus is on Aragon,”Razgatlioglu said.
WorldSBK Race 2 Results
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +8.087s
Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +12.123s
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +13.806s
Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +16.293s
Championship Points
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 469 points
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 430
Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) 260
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) 236
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 230
WorldSSP Race 2
The FIM Supersport World Championship’s French Round concluded with an exciting Race 2 at Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, where Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) claimed victory ahead of Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) and Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing #69), earning their 28th and ninth career WorldSSP podiums, respectively. With this double podium, Yamaha secured the Manufacturers’ Championship, thanks to strong performances from riders like Manzi, Oncu and Lucas Mahias (GMT94-YAMAHA).
To begin, Oncu led Manzi into Turn 1, followed by fellow Yamahas Lucas Mahias and Alberto Surra. By Lap 4, Oncu had built a three-second lead, though, with him cruising toward his first win since Donington. Manzi, however, steadily closed the gap, chasing behind Valentin Debise (#53) and Jeremy Alcoba (#52). By the final lap, Manzi was within a bike length and eye-catchingly overtook Oncu in the last sector for his ninth win of the season.
Alcoba showed strong pace early and looked set to secure Kawasaki’s first WorldSSP podium since Jerez 2023, but Booth-Amos, starting from the fourth row, made a decisive move mid-race, pushing Alcoba to fourth. Yamaha’s P1 and P2 finishes clinched the 2025 Manufacturer’s title, solidifying their dominance with more poles, podiums, wins and fastest laps than any rival. With this 11th title, Yamaha surpassed Honda, who had been tied with 10. French rider Corentin Perolari (Honda Racing World Supersport #6) finished fifth again on home soil.
WorldSSP Race 2 Results
Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing)
Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) +0.554s
Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) +9.393s
Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team) +9.665s
Corentin Perolari (Honda Racing World Supersport) +9.985s
Championship Points
Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) 344 points
Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) 275
Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) 214
Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) 191
Bo Bendsneyder (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) 178
WorldWCR WorldWCR Race 1
The FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship officially kicked off race action at the French Round’s Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours. Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team #6) topped the podium in the first encounter of the weekend, followed into Parc Ferme by Chloe Jones (GR Motorsport #15) and Beatriz Nelia (Ampito Crescent Yamaha #36) for their fourth and ninth podiums of the season, respectively.
WorldWCR Race 1 Results
Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team)
Chloe Jones (GR Motosport) +0.130s
Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) +2.868s
Roberta Ponziani (Klint Forward Racing Team) +6.937s
Lucie Boudesseul (GMT94-YAMAHA) +7.265s
WorldWCR Race 2
The chequered flag waved on WorldWCR’s French Round at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours. Their Race 2 saw Beatriz Nelia (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) return to the top of the podium, taking home her fourth win of the season. British rookie Chloe Jones (GR Motorsport) kept her strong form rolling, clinching her fourth consecutive podium. Lastly, rookie and home hero Lucie Boudesseul (GMT94-YAMAHA #17) took home third place, earning her first WorldWCR podium to the elation of the home fans.
WorldWCR Race 2 Results
Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha)
Chloe Jones (GR Motosport) +0.130s
Lucie Boudesseul (GMT94-YAMAHA) +0.458s
Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team) +0.580s
Roberta Ponziani (Klint Forward Racing Team) +0.657s
Championship Points
1 Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team) 210
2 Beatriz Nelia (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) 204
3 Roberta Ponziani (Klint Forward Racing Team) 136
4 Chloe Jones (GR Motorsport) 133
5 Sara Sanchez (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR Team) 111
WorldSSP300
WorldSSP300 Race 1
The FIM Supersport 300 World Championship enjoyed its first race of the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours’ French Round on Saturday afternoon. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) made his first WorldSSP300 appearance since returning to the category after six races in WorldSSP. And Veneman duly took home his first win since his double at Most 2024, ahead of Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300), who earned his ninth WorldSSP300 podium, and Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki), who earned his fourth career podium in the category.
Carter Thompson landed the holeshot from P3, however, Dutch polesitter Loris Veneman and Spanish rider David Salvador gave chase in the early laps until Salvador fell back to P16 after taking his Long Lap Penalty on Lap 2. The Kawasaki machinery pair led the race until Vannucci got his Yamaha R3 in front by Lap 7. #91 wasted no time in charging up the grid from his P29 starting position. After jumping up to P3 by Lap 6, the Italian led much of the contest, yet Thompson and Veneman nipped at his heels into the final laps, the trio an emphatic five seconds ahead of the rest of the pack.
Into the final sector of the final lap, Veneman led, until Vannucci and Thompson cut inside the Dutchman. Thompson ran wide, and into the final chicane, Veneman passed the Italian back with an incisive move up the inside through the chicane. The win marked Veneman’s fourth WorldSSP300 win, and his first since returning to the category after a stint in WorldSSP.
Into the final four laps, less than a second separated P4 from P10, the large pack trading overtakes corner after corner as they fought for every available point. Phillip Tonn (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing) led his KTM teammate Jeffrey Buis across the line by just 0.131s to claim P4 for himself and shuffle the two-time WorldSSP300 Champion to P5.
WorldSSP300 Race 1 Results
Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki)
Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300) +0.053s
David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) claimed his first FIM Supersport 300 World Championship victory of the 2025 season at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours as he moved into second in the Championship standings. He was part of a nine-rider group who were fighting for victory during the French Round as he took victory ahead of Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300) and Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki).
Veneman was looking for a double victory on his return to WorldSSP300 and immediately moved into P1 when lights went out, looking to break away from the field alongside two-time Champion Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM – Paligo Racing). Although it looked like they had, the chasing pack caught up around one-third into the 11-lap race.
Halfway through the race, it became a lead group of nine fighting for victory, and it remained like this until the end of the race. With three laps to go, Vanucci tried to break away on his own, but the gap came down on Lap 10 on the run into Turn 5, dropping the #91 into seventh after contact with another rider. That allowed Veneman back into the lead, and he held that on the run to Turn 5 on the final lap. Salvador took the lead at Turn 13, and he and Veneman went side-by-side into Turn 15 before Veneman came down after contact, as did Buis. The #6 was taken to the medical centre following the crash. He was diagnosed with concussion, but the Dutchman was conscious.
Salvador went on to take his second WorldSSP300 victory ahead of Vannucci in second, who made it back-to-back podiums for the first time since Imola 2023. Thompson crossed the line in P3. Kawasaki claimed their 70th win in WorldSSP300, and Thompson’s P3 was the Japanese manufacturer’s 200th rostrum. Salvador became the sixth different winner this season, as many as in the 2024 campaign and four shy of the all-time record set in 2020.
Daniel Mogeda (Pons Motosport Italika Racing) was just 1.054s away from victory at the end of the race as he finished in fourth, ahead of Benat Fernandez (Team#109 Retro Traffic Kove) who climbed from 10th on the grid to finish in fifth.
WorldSSP300 Race 2 Results
1. David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI)
2. Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300) +0.243s
3. Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki) +0.805s
4. Daniel Mogeda (Pons Motosport Italika Racing) +1.054
5. Benat Fernandez (Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove) +2.107s
Despite feeling sore from his Balaton crash, Remy Gardner produced a valiant effort in Race 1 to claim sixth before proceeding to grab P11 in the Superpole Race and P13 in Race 2, which were admirable results in the circumstances.
Despite starting Race 1 from the back after being unable to complete a qualifying lap due to a collision with Kaito Toba, Oli Bayliss (#32) delivered a determined charge to gain 18 positions to ultimately finish 12th. He then carried this momentum into Race Two, where he produced another wicked surge through the pack to clinch 10th.
MotoGP Round 15 | Alex Marquez fends off Marc to win in Barcelona. The #73 banished his Sprint demons to hold off the #93 for a stunning home turf win as Enea Bastianini (#23) completed the Catalan GP rostrum. Report: MotoGP/Ed Stratmann
Friday Practice and Saturday Qualifying MotoGP
Not a bad day at the office for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. Brad Binder (#33), closely followed by Pedro Acosta (#37), led a very competitive and closely fought MotoGP field on Friday at the Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalonia. Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #73) acted as the Austrian factory’s closest challenger in P3.
How about that for a qualifying session? Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #93) clinched pole position at the Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalonia with a simply stunning new all-time lap record. The #73’s final sector was mega, as his 1:37.536 was plenty good enough to beat second place Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP #20), with the Frenchman coming through Q1 to stick his Yamaha on the front row.
Moto2
Leading the Moto2 charge, Aron Canet (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego #44) stole the show on Friday in Barcelona with a late lap that was enough to slot him nicely into P1, less than a tenth ahead of Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Impulse Aspar Team #27). The Spaniard, who was originally leading going into the closing moments, finished ahead of first Boscoscuro Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team #96) as the Brit completed the top three.
After some impressive pace on Friday, Dani Holgado (CFMoto Impulse Aspar Team) backed it up on Saturday with a new lap record for his first pole position in Moto2. Fellow rookie Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo #95) continued his recent form as well to take a first front row in the class, with the two debutants split by Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) in second.
Moto3
Valentin Perrone’s (Red Bull KTM Tech3 #73) 1:47.584 saw the Argentine rookie front the Moto3 field in Practice at the Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalonia, but it wasn’t by much. A late lap from David Muñoz (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP #64) propelled the Spaniard into P2, 0.096s off Perrone, while David Almansa (Leopard Racing #22) collected a Friday P3.
David Almansa left it late to fire himself into pole position for the first time in his Moto3 career. The Spaniard will have a clear view down to Turn 1 and was the only rider able to dip into the 1’46s, with a 1’46.877 good enough to see him clear of Joel Kelso (LEVELUP-MTA #66) and Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI #36).
Saturday Tissot Sprint
Marc Marquez’s unbeaten Sprint run continued at the Catalan GP – but only after a dramatic crash from Alex Marquez handed him victory. Alex had pulled over a second clear when he lost the front at Turn 10 with just four laps remaining. Fabio Quartararo finished 1.2s behind to claim second, with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina VR46 Ducati #49) completing the podium after escaping a fierce KTM scrap.
Alex Marquez led early after a strong launch, as Quartararo, Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta diced behind. An intense opening lap saw multiple lead changes before Marc Marquez reclaimed second and began hunting down his brother. As the race settled, Quartararo and Marc Marquez chipped away at Alex’s lead, but the #73 looked in control – until disaster struck. Marc Marquez inherited the lead and never looked back, securing his 14th Sprint win of the year.
Behind the podium trio, Acosta edged Bastianini and Binder in a thrilling finish, the trio covered by just 0.075s across the line.
“I’m happy for my victory for the Ducati team and we won the Constructors’ Championship, but unfortunately Alex crashed,” Marc Marquez explained. “I already gave up because he was faster than me, and when I gave up, maybe he relaxed a bit too much, and he crashed at Turn 10. He will have another chance tomorrow because he has the best pace, but we are happy at a circuit where we are struggling. I was a bit on the limit.”
Tissot Sprint Race Results
Marc Marquez Ducati Lenovo
Fabio Quartararo Monster Yamaha (+1.299s)
Fabio Di Giannantonio Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+3.653s)
Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM (+5.868s)
Enea Bastianini Red Bull KTM Tech3 (+5.913s)
Sunday MotoGP
Alex Marquez banished his Sprint demons with a phenomenal victory at the Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalonia, fending off brother Marc Marquez to claim a sensational home win. The #93’s unbeaten Sunday run ended, but P2 extended the title race to at least Japan. Enea Bastianini secured his first Sunday podium with KTM in P3.
Marc got the holeshot from P3, leading into Turn 1, while Pedro Acosta launched into third. Quartararo slotted into fourth, ahead of Bastianini. But on Lap 2, chaos hit: Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing #72) clipped Morbidelli (#21) and crashed, with Di Giannantonio going down moments later trying to avoid him – both out of podium contention.
Alex Marquez took the lead on Lap 4 with a decisive Turn 1 move, and behind him, Marc had Bastianini and Acosta in close pursuit. Meanwhile, Binder crashed out from P10 on Lap 7, as Pecco Bagnaia surged from P22 to P8 by Lap 8, which was an impressive recovery. By Lap 10, the top four had pulled 2.1s clear. Bastianini moved past Acosta into P3 and began closing on Marc Marquez, cutting the gap to 0.8s.
As the race wore on, Acosta faded and eventually lost touch with the podium fight. By Lap 19, the stage was set for an epic Marquez showdown. But a couple of mistakes from Marc on Lap 20 gave Alex a gap of 0.8s – then 1.3s with two laps to go. Alex held his nerve, conquered his Turn 10 demons from Saturday and crossed the line 1.7s clear for his second MotoGP win – and a very special one on home soil. Marc settled for P2, proud to share the podium with his brother in a Marquez 1-2. Bastianini claimed a hard-earned P3.
Acosta secured P4, while Quartararo won the fight for fifth. Rookie Ai Ogura (#79) charged late to bank his best MotoGP result yet in P6.
“It feels so good. It’s true that I have in my head a little bit the race from yesterday, but when I was there on the bike, I said ‘this one needs to be with me’ so I just needed to push all the race and manage the tyres. With six, seven [laps] to the end, it was the time to see if I had something. I was able to make good lap times in that moment,” Alex Marquez explained.
Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Aspar Team) led every lap of the Catalan GP to take his first Moto2 victory in commanding style. The pole-sitter blasted off the line and never looked back to become the ninth different winner of the season. Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing) returned to the podium in second, while wildcard Daniel Muñoz (#17) stunned with a maiden P3 finish.
Holgado got the holeshot and immediately opened a gap to Dixon. Turn 4 claimed Filip Salač (ELF Marc VDS #12), who was forced wide into the gravel, while Ayumu Sasaki (RW-Idrofoglia #71) crashed out on the opening lap. By Lap 3, Holgado led Dixon, with Muñoz charging in third ahead of Izan Guevara (#28) and Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (#18).
Muñoz made his move on Dixon at Turn 1 on Lap 6 to take second. Behind, Jorge Navarro (#9) wiped out Salač at Turn 1, while Aron Canet crashed at Turn 7 to put a nasty dent in his title hopes. Gonzalez and Guevara battled hard for fourth, swapping positions on Laps 16 and 17 before Gonzalez made it stick. He sat in a strong P4 as Holgado stretched a 2.5s gap up front. On the penultimate lap, Dixon reclaimed second from Muñoz at Turn 1, holding the place to the flag. Muñoz, subbing for Deniz Öncü, held on for a remarkable debut podium. Further back, Diogo Moreira’s (#10) weekend worsened with a Long Lap Penalty for exceeding track limits, thus meaning he finished outside of the points.
For Aspar, it was a back-to-back debut win – this time from the other side of the garage. Holgado’s lights-to-flag masterclass was a career milestone. Dixon earned a solid P2, Muñoz celebrated a shock podium and Gonzalez extended his title lead with P4, just ahead of a season-best fifth for Guevara.
Moto2 Race Results
Daniel Holgado CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team
Jake Dixon Elf Marc VDS Racing (+2.500s)
Daniel Munoz Red Bull KTM Ajo (+3.119s)
Manuel Gonzalez Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP (+4.497s)
Izan Guevara BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 (+5.859s)
Moto2 Championship Points
Manuel Gonzalez Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 217
Aron Canet Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 179
Diogo Moreira Italtrans Racing Team – 175
Barry Baltus Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 153
Jake Dixon Elf Marc VDS Racing – 152
Moto3
A crucial win in the title race. Ángel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) emerged victorious from an intense Moto3 battle in Barcelona, cutting five points from José Antonio Rueda’s (Red Bull KTM Ajo #99) championship lead. Despite a Long Lap penalty, Rueda recovered brilliantly to finish P2. Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia #72) was passed at the final corner but held on for P3 – his second podium of the season.
From his maiden pole, David Almansa led into Turn 1, as Maximo Quiles (#28) jumped from P9 to P4. Piqueras dropped to P6, while Rueda took his penalty on Lap 3, falling from P5 to P15. By Lap 4, Piqueras was up to P3, as Rueda clawed back to P10 and rejoined the lead group. Almansa continued to lead a 14-rider freight train until Lap 9, when Quiles briefly hit the front before Almansa and Piqueras retaliated. Rueda moved into the lead on Lap 11, but Quiles ran wide at Turn 1, tumbling to P14.
With four laps to go, Rueda had a 0.5s lead over a chasing pack of Almansa, Piqueras, Adrian Fernandez (#31), Furusato and a charging Ryusei Yamanaka (#6), who’d started from the back. Two laps from the end, the top ten were locked together. On the final lap, Piqueras took the lead at Turn 1. Rueda dropped to P4 after a failed Turn 5 lunge but pulled off a bold final-corner move to snatch P2 from Furusato. But the win belonged to Piqueras – a vital one for the championship. Furusato held P3, with Almansa and Fernandez just missing the podium in P4 and P5.
Moto3 Race Results
Angel Piqueras FRINSA -MT Helmets – MSI
Jose Antonio Rueda Red Bull KTM Ajo (+0.081s)
Taiyo Furusato Honda Team Asia (+0.156s)
David Almansa Leopard Racing (+0.229s)
Adrian Fernandez Leopard Racing (+0.542s)
Moto3 Championship Points
Jose Antonio Rueda Red Bull KTM Ajo – 270
Angel Piqueras FRINSA – MT Helmets – 206
Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team – 168
David Munoz Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 163
Alvaro Carpe Red Bull KTM Ajo – 149
How Did the Aussies Do?
Starting 14th and finishing 12th in the Sprint, Jack Miller (#43) was content with his Saturday effort, where he showed excellent pace and engaged in some fierce battles throughout. Then in the main race, Miller recovered from early adversity to secure 14th, fighting his way back into the points after being pushed wide by Brad Binder on the opening lap, which dropped him to the back of the field.
Although Senna Agius (#81) banked an admirable P8 in qualifying after having his best lap cancelled, a poor start, grip issues and a Long Lap Penalty ensured 14th was the best he could muster on his return from his heavy crash in Austria. Rocketing to P2 on the grid in qualifying set Joel Kelso up superbly for a strong race. Frustratingly, he couldn’t translate that pace into the race itself, dropping as far back as 14th before admirably recovering to secure P7. Starting the race from P11 on the grid, Jacob Roulstone’s (#12) round was disappointingly ended prematurely when a technical issue forced him to retire.
Aussies Racing Abroad | August 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…. Words: Ed Stratmann
On-Track Jack Miller – MotoGP
After a tough 17th in the Austrian sprint, where he struggled with severe rear wheel spin, Jack Miller endured more of the same in the main race, limping home in 18th to cap off a weekend to forget.
“It’s quite clear on paper that this weekend our bike simply doesn‘t work with this rear tyre and its construction. There‘s just no way to make it work. I tried everything I know – from short-shifting to being super patient on the throttle – just trying to find a way to defend myself,” Miller reflected.
Heading to Hungary, the popular #43 secured a positive 12th in the Sprint on a track where overtaking was difficult. The main race was always going to be a challenge, with Miller forced to start 17th after receiving a three-place grid penalty for impeding Francesco Bagnaia during Friday’s practice. Despite a brilliant start, Jack Miller frustratingly crashed out of the race to end another challenging round.
“Definitely not the day I wanted or expected. I got off to a decent start, settled in behind Pol (Espargaro) and waited a bit before making a move, knowing I had the pace to get ahead. But then, at turn one, as soon as I touched the throttle, the front went away and that was it. Honestly, I hadn‘t done anything different from the lap before. I picked the bike up and tried to push, hoping to catch someone, even with a small clutch issue. But a few laps later I went down again at Turn 11. A real shame, because we had a decent pace this weekend and I feel it was a missed opportunity,” he lamented.
Senna Agius – Moto2
Kicking off his weekend with a strong P5 in FP2 and sixth in qualifying in Austria, things were looking promising for Senna Agius to deliver a fine race. But it wasn’t to be, as a brutal crash at turn two on the opening lap, involving Ivan Ortola and Alonso Lopez, saw Agius get run over, ending his race early. Fortunately, he escaped without serious injury. Though scans at the Red Bull Ring came back clear, he was transferred to Judenburg Hospital for precautionary checks and underwent further tests in Barcelona.
“Lucky to be walking away today, relatively okay after a scary crash on lap one. Time to recover to get back on it soon,”Agius recalled. While he had to sit out the Hungarian GP to rest and recuperate, he positively plans to return to action in Catalunya, pending medical clearance.
Joel Kelso – Moto3
Back from injury in Austria following the summer break, exciting talent Joel Kelso claimed 10th on the grid before producing a commendable 11th in the race. Leaving determined and motivated to build on this ahead of the subsequent round in Hungary, his words illustrated he wasn’t content.
“Not the result we wanted coming back from the summer break. Didn’t feel fully dialled in this weekend, but we’ll regroup and go again,” stated the #66. Although it wasn’t the weekend Joel Kelso had envisaged in Hungary on a track he enjoyed riding, the Australian dynamo showed plenty of grit to fight his way back from P14 to a respectable eighth.
“It wasn’t an ideal weekend, starting from P14, but we fought hard and managed to move forward. We’re still in a bit of a rut – no point sugar-coating it. The focus now is on finding solutions, and we won’t stop until we do,” asserted the Aussie.
Jacob Roulstone – Moto3
Having toiled earlier in the weekend, it was admirable how Jacob Roulstone made steady progress on the Saturday to qualify P12 at the Red Bull Ring. Sadly, grip issues hindered his race, thus ensuring he couldn’t get any higher than 14th.
“I’m taking some positives away from what was definitely a tricky round, at not one of my favourite tracks. In today’s race, I managed to get a decent start and maintain a decent pace throughout. I did struggle with grip toward the end of the race. It seems we’re making small steps in the right direction, even if the results aren’t quite reflecting that yet,”commented Roulstone.
After qualifying P7, Jacob Roulstone continued his admirable Moto3 momentum with a P10 in Sunday’s race in Hungary. While a reasonable result, the Aussie felt more was possible with better tyre management.
“Really good start, and I was able to stay near the front for a while. But I just didn’t manage the tyre well enough. Small steps forward again. Not the results I’m aiming for, but I’m giving my best day in and day out to get to where I know I can be. Just need to work things out on and off the bike a little earlier in the weekend. A week off now, but see you in Barcelona,” insisted the gifted prospect.
Off-Track Jett Lawrence – AMA Pro Motocross
Jett Lawrence wrapped up his second 450 AMA Pro Motocross crown and his fifth title in the premier class after enjoying his latest masterful season. His achievement was made all the more remarkable given the fact he’d only just recovered in time from an ACL injury for the start of the Pro Motocross series. Winning nine of the 11 overalls on offer, there was no denying the 22-year-old phenom, who was a cut above his adversaries throughout. Combining superb technique, elite line selection, tremendous starts and outstanding racecraft, it was a joy to watch the #18 flex his muscles.
“I think the biggest moment in this championship was round one. Leading up to it, I was dealing with my knee injury. It was my first one, so mentally it felt horrible, and I was originally told I’d be out four months. I didn’t think I was going to make the opener at all. Just making it to the first round had me stoked, and to go there and win made it one of my best races ever. To wrap up the title one round early makes it even more rewarding,” Lawrence explained. The younger Lawrence sibling will now immediately shift his attention to the upcoming SMX Playoffs.
Hunter Lawrence – AMA Pro Motocross
Hunter Lawrence rounded out an excellent Pro Motocross season by finishing second in the standings behind his sensational brother, in a campaign which memorably included him banking his first-ever victory outdoors in the 450 category when he reigned supreme at Ironman.
“I haven’t got the energy to be emotional or happy. It’s hot and I’m finished. I’m just happy to get one [a win]. A lot of second-place finishes, but it’s good to get the monkey off my back,” he divulged. Launching out of the gate wonderfully throughout the crusade and riding in a disciplined and calculated manner, Hunter deserves huge credit for what was an accomplished body of work over 11 gruelling stops on the calendar. Expect him to come out swinging in SMX too, where he’ll aim to go one better after falling just short last time around.
Jake Cannon – EMX250
Consistency has been key for Jake Cannon in August in the fiercely competitive EMX250 division. Beginning with a solid P5 in Sweden despite a spill in race one and having an off-track excursion in the second race, there were many positives to extract from his Uddevalla. Feeling good on the bike, possessing podium speed and comfortable on the iconic venue, a podium was in reach if only he’d avoided those mishaps.
“I felt good on the bike and was enjoying the track, but the first moto just didn’t go my way. I rode strong to get back to ninth after crashing on the second lap, but I need to get better starts and minimise the errors. I’m frustrated with my first lap in the second moto, as I jumped off the side of the track after a good start. After ten minutes I started riding like myself again and came back to fifth for fifth overall. I just have to put it all together for a full moto. I know I have the speed to be at the front,” Cannon told the Bud Racing website.
The Venum Bud Racing Kawasaki hotshot then ventured to Arnhem ready for more, but unsatisfactory starts ensured he had to surge through the pack to eventually clinch a hard-earned sixth overall.
Liam Owens – EMX250
Liam Owens continues to make impressive strides in EMX250, with the Aussie flyer notching his maiden podium at Arnhem last weekend, which was a just reward for all his hard work. Riding superbly on the demanding sand circuit, his 4-2 moto scores saw him claim a deserved third overall and his spot on the box.
“Finally made it on the podium. If you had told me, when I first moved here from Australia, that my first EMX250 podium would come in the sand, I would’ve fallen off my chair. Big thanks to everyone involved in my first podium. Getting that feeling once just makes me want it even more,” said a delighted Owens.
In another piece of uplifting news, it was also confirmed that the Cat Moto Bauerschmidt Husqvarna ace will stay with the team for 2026, where his sights will be firmly set on the coveted EMX250 title.
Round six of the 2025 ASBK Championship at Phillip Island delivered drama and history, with Anthony West claiming a maiden pole and breakthrough win, while Josh Waters extended his title lead in challenging conditions across a packed weekend of racing. Report: ASBK Media/Ed Stratmann
Saturday
Anthony West (#13) was the star of the show in qualifying for round six of the 2025 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) at Phillip Island on September 6.
The Queenslander was a cut above in the premier SW-Motech Superbike class, powering to his maiden pole position in the ASBK Championship on the Addicted to Track Yamaha. The 44-year-old has been knocking on the door of pole position for quite some time, but in brilliant Phillip Island weather he finally reached the summit with a searing lap of 1:30.462 – the second best ever in the Superbike class. West was joined on the front row for Sunday’s two 11-lap races by Josh Waters (McMartin Racing Ducati #1) and Mike Jones (Yamaha Racing Team #46), who both sit above him in the championship race after five of eight rounds.
Qualifying was also held across all the other ASBK classes on Saturday – Kawasaki Supersport, Race and Road Supersport 300 and the BLU CRU Oceania Junior Cup – as well as the Yamaha R3 BLU CRU Asia-Pacific Championship making its first visit to Phillip Island. The Oceania Junior Cup riders also enjoyed their first race to bookend Saturday’s on-track activities, ahead of a massive 11-race schedule on Sunday.
SW-Motech Superbike
West’s trajectory has been on the up for some time, and today the former Moto2 winner’s stocks rose yet again. “I’m just so happy, and hats off to the Addicted to Track team,” said West. “We’ve been working hard towards getting the best out of the bike: we have a plan and we know what to do. All that experience is coming together really well.”
West was the only rider to circulate in the 1:30 bracket in qualifying, with Waters, Jones, Broc Pearson (DesmoSport Ducati #11), Cru Halliday (Stop and Seal Ducati #65) and Max Stauffer (Yamaha #27) all in the 1:31s.
The top 10 was completed by Jack Favelle (Addicted to Track Yamaha #33), the returning Troy Herfoss (Yamaha Racing Team #17), Jonathan Nahlous (Omega Racing Team Yamaha #20) and Ty Lynch (Yamaha #85). Meanwhile, Cameron Dunker (MotoGo Yamaha #3) didn’t take part in qualifying after mechanical woes in practice, with his team then forced to race against the clock to get him on the grid.
It was also a hapless day for Glenn Allerton (Superbike Advocates Racing Ducati #14), who didn’t go out because of a physical ailment.
Kawasaki Supersport
There’s breaking records and then there’s breaking records. Albury’s Archie McDonald (#69) was simply sensational in Kawasaki Supersport qualifying, setting a new best lap of 1:33.808 on his Stop and Seal Yamaha YZF-R6, nearly one second under the current lap record (1:34.682) and well over a second ahead of the previous qualifying marker. McDonald has now been in pole position in all four ASBK rounds he has competed in this season. Jake Farnsworth (Yamaha #49) and Hayden Nelson (BCperformance Kawasaki #279) were second and third among the 17 Supersport riders, ahead of Tom Bramich (Yamaha #44), Mahaffy (#37) and Oli Simpson (BCperformance Kawasaki #5). Mahaffy laboured in practice and qualifying with a bent frame, which was replaced overnight. Tom Toparis (Stop and Seal Ducati #7) was the fastest of the Supersport Next Gen riders despite a bingle at turn six in the second qualifying session.
Race and Road Supersport 300
Pressure Ghage! A stunning pole position for Ghage Plowman (Yamaha #27) in his Race and Road Supersport 300 ASBK debut, with Oliver Short (Kawasaki #7) and Jordy Simpson (Yamaha #33) second and third. Championship leader Scott Nicholson (#39) qualified in sixth, three spots ahead of his closest pursuer – fellow Kawasaki rider Tara Morrison (#95). The times were typically tight, though, which augers well for three crackerjack races on Sunday.
BLU CRU Oceania Junior Cup
A race for the ages, with the top 20 OJC riders flashing across the finish line separated by just 1.648 seconds! Xavier Curmi (#82) came out of the rolling scrum first ahead of Chaz Williams (#18) and Rossi McAdam (#61).
Sunday
Veterans Josh Waters and Anthony West were the stars of a challenging round six of the 2025 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) at Phillip Island on September 7. Waters (McMartin Racing Ducati) and West (Addicted to Track Yamaha) shared victories in the two 11-lap races, the first one held on a wet circuit before conditions cleared in the afternoon as West broke through for his first win in the SW-Motech Superbike class – one day after also setting his maiden pole position.
Broc Pearson (DesmoSport Ducati) was also mightily impressive at Phillip Island, with his 2-3 scorecard securing third overall. With Waters’ main championship rival Mike Jones (Yamaha Racing Team) unable to produce his normal front-running deeds, Waters has now extended his lead in the championship to 69pts (306 to 237) with two rounds remaining. West (234pts) is circling in third position ahead of round seven at One Raceway in Goulburn in two weeks – October 3-5.
“That was a wild day, and in race two a lot of the other riders had nothing to lose, while I have a lot on my mind in terms of the championship,” said Waters. “I was getting carved up like a Sunday roast, but I was happy with the result, and I’d like to thank my team and all of our sponsors for their support.”
Meanwhile, it was all about pure adulation for West. “I don’t remember too much about race two, as there was just so much going on,” he said. “But some of the young guys were making me angry, which really fired me up to get the job done. This weekend has been awesome on so many levels.”
SW-Motech Superbike Race One
It was a just-in-time final salvo from Waters, who won his ninth SW-Motech Superbike race of an extraordinarily impressive season after passing long-time leader Pearson on the final blast down Gardner Straight. The final margin was 0.094 seconds after 11 laps on the sodden Phillip Island layout.
“I had so many moments in that race – I would have liked Broc to have slowed down!” said Waters. Glenn Allerton – grimacing with an injured back which saw him sit out qualifying – was a brilliant third on his Superbike Advocates Racing Ducati after starting from the back of the grid.
West was fourth from Jones, Jonathan Nahlous (Omega Racing Team Yamaha), Oscar O’Donovan, (Scott’s Motorcycles Kawasaki #171) in a stunning ASBK debut, and Ryan Yanko (Addicted to Track Yamaha #82).
Troy Herfoss (Yamaha Racing Team) didn’t make the start after a crash on his out lap – suffering a minor injury, which was enough to end his day before it really got started – while others to get caught out in the slick conditions included Max Stauffer (Yamaha), Jack Favelle (Addicted to Track Yamaha), Cru Halliday (Stop and Seal Ducati) and Ty Lynch (Yamaha).
Race One Results
Josh Waters
Broc Pearson (+0.094)
Glenn Allerton (29.703)
Anthony West (36.870)
Mike Jones (+41.620)
SW-Motech Superbike race two
Race two was held on a drying track, with all riders fitting slick tyres – which made for a cautious opening before the intensity was dialled up as more dry lines appeared. The race eventually boiled down to a five-rider arm wrestle between West, Waters, Pearson, Nahlous and Halliday, with Pearson spending most time at the front.
However, on the penultimate lap, West made a decisive move to hit the lead, and then pinned his ears back over the final 4.448 km to win his first Superbike race in his 61st start. Meanwhile, Waters roared past Pearson at the death knell for the second time in as many races, with the duo finishing second and third ahead of Halliday, Nahlous, Jack Favelle (Addicted to Track Yamaha), Jones, Cameron Dunker (MotoGo Yamaha), Stauffer and Allerton. Allerton (190pts) remains fourth in the standings but now has the in-form Pearson (185pts) on his hammer. Dunker is on 175pts.
Race Two Results
Anthony West
Josh Waters (+0.262)
Broc Pearson (+0.263)
Cru Halliday (+1.141)
Jonathan Nahlous (+1.213)
Championship Points
Josh Waters – 306 Points
Mike Jones – 237 Points
Anthony West – 234 Points
Glenn Allerton – 190 Points
Broc Pearson – 185 Points
Kawasaki Supersport and Supersport Next Gen
There was a massive power shift in Kawasaki Supersport from Saturday to Sunday. After Archie McDonald’s sensational record-breaking performance in qualifying on the Stop and Seal Yamaha – and bike geometry woes for teammate and championship leader Jack Mahaffy – the prevailing view was “how far” for the Albury dasher in Sunday’s two 10-lap races.
But Mother Nature doesn’t always follow the script, with the first spots of rain appearing at the start of race one with riders on slicks.
Front row starter Jake Farnsworth (Yamaha) immediately sensed his opportunity, bolting from the start in an all-the-way triumph. It was his first victory in the category, and he was understandably elated: “I knew I had to get to the front and build into the race. It’s been so much hard work to get here, so this one’s special.”
Olly Simpson (BCperformance Kawasaki) was second ahead of Mahaffy and McDonald, who adopted a more cautious approach at the start before finding some late speed. Tom Bramich (Yamaha) and Hayden Nelson (BCperformance Kawasaki) were fifth and sixth, while Tom Toparis (Stop and Seal Ducati) was the first Supersport Next Gen rider ahead of Luca Durning (DesmoSport Ducati #21) – a feat he would replicate in race two.
The second outing saw riders on wet tyres on a drying track, making tyre management critical. Toparis and Simpson immediately settled into a nice rhythm, and were 1-2 across the finish line ahead of Nelson, Farnsworth, McDonald, Mahaffy and Mitch Simpson (Yamaha #66).
Simpson (199pts) is now second in the standings, moving past McDonald (195pts), while Mahaffy (220pts) still leads. Nelson (165pts), Bramich (155pts) and Farnsworth (147pts) fill positions 4-6.
Round Results
Olly Simpson – 45 Points
Jake Farnsworth – 43 Points
Hayden Nelson – 35 Points
Archie Mcdonald – 35 Points
Jack Mahaffy – 34 Points
Championship Points
Jack Mahaffy – 220 Points
Olly Simpson – 199 Points
Archie Mcdonald – 195 Points
Hayden Nelson – 165 Points
Tom Bramich – 155 Points
Race and Road Supersport 300
Three very different scenarios for the Race and Road Supersport 300 field, with race one held on a wet track, race two in drying conditions and race three on dry asphalt.
Through it all, championship leader Scott Nicholson (Kawasaki) showed the most composure with a 2-1-3 scorecard to claim the overall from Tyler King (Kawasaki, 1-15-2 #128), Jordy Simpson (Yamaha, 4-9-5), Tara Morrison (Kawasaki, 3-DNF-1) and Phoenix O’Brien (Yamaha, 5-2-14 #85).
Meanwhile, surprise polesitter Ghage Plowman (Yamaha) elected to sit out the races, instead focussing on his BLU CRU Oceania Junior Cup commitments.
Attrition was its highest in race one, with 17 riders going down – including Morrison and three others on the sighting lap. The first attempt at the race was red-flagged after Riley Nauta (Kawasaki #42) crashed at turn six and required medical assistance. He was okay, and returned for the balance of the program.
With an imposing lead of 67pts over Morrison (292 to 225), it’s now Nicholson’s championship to lose. Simpson (208pts), Jake Paige (Kawasaki, 190pts #55), King (190pts) and Hudson Thompson (Yamaha, 186pts #41) are next, with Simpson making the biggest inroads at Phillip Island – up from fifth to third.
Championship Points
Scott Nicholson – 292 Points
Tara Morrison – 225 Points
Jordy Simpson – 208 Points
Jake Paige – 190 Points
Tyler King – 190 Points
BLU CRU Oceania Junior Cup
The 2025 BLU CRU Oceania Junior Cup (OJC) redefined the meaning of close racing when round four was held at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on September 6-7.
It was mesmerising from start to finish, kicked off in spectacular fashion when 20 riders and their striking Yamaha YZF-R15s flashed across the line separated by just 1.648 seconds in race one. Xavier Curmi came out of the Saturday rolling scrum with the biggest smile before New Zealand wildcard Lucas Hyslop (#31) and Callum Campbell (#26) won the two races on Sunday. With slipstreaming a key battlefront at Phillip Island, it was nigh on impossible for riders to break free, which placed an extra premium on racecraft and again emphasised why the class is the perfect launching pad to begin circuit racing.
Campbell (11-2-1) and Curmi (1-5-7) finished on equal top-scoring points at Phillip Island, with the former awarded the overall courtesy of a higher finishing position in race three.
Hunter Charlett (4-6-2 #73) was third overall, which helped him move up from fifth to fourth in the championship on 176pts. At the front, Connor Lewis (222pts #77) is the new leader in the official Australian Junior Road Race Championship class over Chaz Williams (213pts) and Curmi (179pts).
The weekend started well for Williams – who had led the OJC standings from race one at Sydney Motorsport Park – when he was second in race one after starting from the front row of the grid, before he went down within sight of the finish line in race two. That saw Lewis take over the championship lead, which he extended to 9pts in race three when he finished third and Williams was sixth. But with two rounds and six races still remaining, the 2025 OJC battle is still exceptionally wide open.
The penultimate round will be held at One Raceway from October 3-5, alongside the 2025 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul.
Championship Points
Connor Lewis – 222 Points
Chaz Williams – 213 Points
Xavi Curmi – 179 Points
Hunter Charlett – 176 Points
Rossi McAdam – 169 Points
Meanwhile, expressions of interest are now open for riders aged between 11 and 16 to join the OJC grid in 2026. The OJC is officially part of the global Road to MotoGP program and supported by the FIM and FIM Oceania with dedicated coaching, rider training, media and PR development and a host of high-performance training programs.
All detailed ASBK Championship class results are here…
MotoGP Round 14 2025 Report | Masterful Marquez extends unbeaten run | The #93 delivered another double as KTM and Aprilia tasted podium success in Hungary at the first ever MotoGP race at the tight and twisty Balaton Park International Circuit… Report: MotoGP/Ed Stratmann
Friday Practice and Saturday Qualifying MotoGP
0.006s was the gap splitting Friday pacesetter Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing #37) and Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team #93) after an intriguing opening day of action at Balaton Park, as Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #73) closed out the top three in Practice at the Michelin Grand Prix of Hungary.
The first ever MotoGP qualifying session at Balaton Park threw up some drama and surprises, as the grid was set to stage two intriguing showdowns. Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) started from the front with a new lap record, while his closest challenger to that point, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory), crashed out.
Moto2
Day 1 was in the history books as the field hit Balaton in Hungary for the first hurdle of the weekend: getting into Q2 directly from Friday afternoon Practice. Heading the charge, Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team #10) began his weekend off strongly and aimed to cut more points out of his deficit in the standings.
Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) then headed the grid in Hungary as the Brazilian’s impressive form rolled on, taking pole by just 0.050 ahead of Zonta van den Goorbergh (RW – Idrofoglia Racing GP #84). Points leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #18) completed the front row, pipping Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team #96) by just 0.001.
Moto3
A 1:46.448 saw Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team #28) clinch Friday’s Moto3 honours at Balaton Park, and the rookie topped the standings by some margin too. 0.297s was the gap back to second place Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3 #73), while Guido Pini (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP #94) made it a rookie 1-2-3 in Hungary.
A tense tussle for pole position eventually saw Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) bank pole at Balaton Park, denying Austria polesitter Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) and last week’s winner Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI #36) as they joined him on the front row.
Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) continued his dominant 2025 Sprint form, taking his 13th win in 14 rounds with a commanding performance in Hungary. The #93 avoided Turn 1 chaos and never looked back, finishing two seconds ahead of Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing), with teammate Franco Morbidelli completing the podium.
Starting from pole, Marquez launched cleanly into the lead. Behind him, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha #20) misjudged the Turn 1 braking zone and collided with Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3 #23). Quartararo crashed out, while Bastianini stayed upright but dropped to P18. The incident also compromised Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing #72), who slipped into the lower top 10.
Later on Lap 1, Bastianini attempted an ambitious move on Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR #5) at Turn 9, causing both to crash out. Post-race penalties followed: Quartararo received a Long Lap for his first offence and Bastianini was given a double Long Lap for his second.
Up front, Di Giannantonio held second, 1.1s off Marquez by Lap 5, with Morbidelli just over a second behind. Luca Marini (Honda HRC #10) was fourth, ahead of Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini #54) and Joan Mir (#36).
Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM) crashed out on Lap 6 at Turn 11 while battling Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing #1) for P10, ending a tough Saturday for the Friday pacesetter.
In the end, Marquez remained unchallenged to extend his Sprint dominance, with the VR46 pair securing strong finishes behind him at Balaton Park.
“I heard somebody super-close in the first corner, but from that point I tried to find my rhythm, and the first lap I was riding already in a very good way,” Marc Marquez explained. “I tried to keep a constant pace, and I saw that was enough to open a gap.”
Fabio Di Giannantonio Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+2.095s)
Franco Morbidelli Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+3.595s)
Luca Marini Honda HRC Castrol (+4.890s)
Fermin Aldeguer BK8 Gresini Ducati (+5.692s)
Sunday MotoGP
Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) kept up his flawless 2025 season with a seventh consecutive Grand Prix win at the Michelin Grand Prix of Hungary, extending his unbeaten run with a dominant 4.3s victory over Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) completed the podium after leading early on.
Drama unfolded before lights out as Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46) was forced to start from pit lane due to a technical issue. At Turn 2 on Lap 1, Marquez and Bezzecchi made contact after the #93 ran wide at Turn 1. Bezzecchi led from Franco Morbidelli (VR46), with Marquez settling into P3. Enea Bastianini and Alex Marquez both fell on Lap 1, while further incidents took out Raul Fernandez and Joan Mir shortly after.
By Lap 5, Marquez had passed Morbidelli and began reeling in Bezzecchi with consecutive fastest laps. Acosta also moved into P3, closing in. After two failed attempts, Marquez finally passed Bezzecchi at Turn 1 on Lap 11 and began pulling away.
A key moment came on Lap 16 when Bezzecchi ran wide at Turn 15, allowing Acosta to slip through for second. Marquez, now clear, delivered a 1:37.843 to shut the door on any late charge.
Behind the podium trio, Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) stormed to P4 from P16 on the grid – his best Aprilia finish to date – passing Morbidelli late on.
Marquez’s win at Balaton Park marked his 22nd career victory at a different circuit and moved him 175 points clear in the standings, edging closer to a seventh MotoGP crown.
Acosta grabbed his second podium in three races, while Bezzecchi maintained his excellent run with a fourth podium in five Grands Prix.
“I was patient those first laps, but then when I saw that the soft rear tyre started to drop, with the medium [rear tyre] I started to attack, and then I had a super nice rhythm. I was flowing on the track,” insisted Marc Marquez.
David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team #80) became the first Colombian to win a Moto2 race, storming to a sensational victory at the Michelin Grand Prix of Hungary. The rookie’s late-race charge saw him beat title rivals Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team #10) and Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP #18) in a dramatic final-lap shootout. Moreira’s P2 also marked the first-ever South American 1-2 finish in Moto2.
Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team #96) led early after a bold move at Turn 2, as chaos behind saw Celestino Vietti (#13), Darryn Binder (#15), Yuki Kunii (#92) and Unai Orradre (#19) crash out. Moreira took the lead on Lap 4, with Gonzalez and Dixon close behind, while Alonso climbed from eighth, setting fastest laps as he hunted the leaders.
Gonzalez passed Dixon on Lap 6 to chase Moreira and, after shadowing the Brazilian, struck on Lap 15 at Turn 5. But Alonso, the reigning Moto3 Champion, was now the fastest rider on track, charging past Dixon and Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo #95) into the podium fight.
With three laps to go, Alonso was just 0.3s faster per lap than the leaders. He passed Moreira for P2 on the penultimate lap and lined up Gonzalez on the final tour. At Turn 9, he made the decisive move. Gonzalez, trying to respond, lost drive and was also passed by Moreira.
Despite running wide at Turn 15, Alonso defended into the final corner to seal his first Moto2 win. Moreira held onto second after a clash with Gonzalez at the flag. Dixon finished a close fourth, under a second off victory.
Alonso becomes the first rookie winner since Pedro Acosta, as the title fight heads to Barcelona.
Manuel Gonzalez Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP (+0.305s)
Jake Dixon Elf Marc VDS Racing (+0.876s)
Collin Veijer Red Bull KTM Ajo (+1.344s)
Moto2 Championship Points
Manuel Gonzalez Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 204
Aron Canet Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 179
Diogo Moreira Italtrans Racing Team – 173
Barry Baltus Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 147
Jake Dixon Elf Marc VDS Racing – 132
Moto3
Moto3 delivered a classic at the Michelin Grand Prix of Hungary as Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team #28) edged out Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3 #73) by just 0.018s in a breathtaking last-lap battle. David Munoz (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP #64) claimed third after fending off Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI #36) and Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo #99).
Polesitter Quiles led early but was passed by Perrone on Lap 3 after a small mistake. The Spaniard quickly struck back at Turn 9, and their duel allowed Munoz to close in. The #64 took second on Lap 4 and briefly led the chase.
Further back, Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power #19) crashed on Lap 6 at Turn 15, forcing Ryusei Yamanaka (#6) and Marcos Uriarte (LEVELUP-MTA #89) off track. At halfway, Quiles led again, ahead of Piqueras, Perrone and Munoz, with Guido Pini (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP #93) in fifth. However, a mistake from Quiles at the end of Lap 10 dropped him to P4, and Perrone moved to the front.
With five laps to go, Munoz was second and Quiles had climbed to third. Rueda bridged the gap to join the lead group in P5, while Pini crashed out of sixth at Turn 11. Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia #72) also fell from P8 at Turn 1.
The final lap was a thriller. Quiles passed Perrone at Turn 5, but the Argentine came back strong in the final sector. They banged elbows in the final corner, but Quiles narrowly won. Perrone secured a career-best P2, and Munoz extended his podium streak to five. Piqueras took P4, closing slightly on title leader Rueda, who finished fifth.
David Munoz Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP (+0.858s)
Angel Piqueras FRINSA -MT Helmets – MSI (+0.952s)
Jose Antonio Rueda Red Bull KTM Ajo (+1.362s)
Moto3 Championship Points
Jose Antonio Rueda Red Bull KTM Ajo – 250
Angel Piqueras FRINSA – MT Helmets – 181
Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team – 164
David Munoz Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 155
Alvaro Carpe Red Bull KTM Ajo – 146
MotoE
Pole position and a double victory signalled a perfect weekend at Balaton Park for Mattia Casadei (LCR E-Team #40), and it means he now leads the championship ahead of a date with Barcelona. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Dynavolt Intact GP #7), Eric Granado (LCR E-Team #51), Nicholas Spinelli (Rivacold Snipers Team MotoE #29) and Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE #11) were able to stand on the podium.
MotoE Race 1 Results
Mattia Casadei LCR E-Team
Lorenzo Baldassarri Dynavolt Intact GP (+0.106s)
Eric Granado LCR E-Team (+0.790s)
Matteo Ferrari Felo Gresini MotoE (+1.543s)
Alessandro Zaccone Aruba Cloud MotoE Team (+2.289s)
MotoE Race 2 Results
Mattia Casadei LCR E-Team
Nicholas Spinelli Rivacold Snipers Team MotoE (+0.554s)
After securing 12th in the Sprint on a track where overtaking was difficult, Jack Miller (#43) made a brilliant start but frustratingly crashed out of the race.
While it wasn’t the weekend Joel Kelso (#66) had hoped for in Hungary, the Australian rider showed plenty of fight to claw his way back from P14 on the grid to a respectable eighth.
Jacob Roulstone (#12) continued his solid progress in Moto3 with a P10 finish in Sunday’s race in Hungary, following a positive P7 in qualifying. Although this was an admirable outcome, the Aussie knows he could have done better if he’d managed his tyres better.
At Red Bull Ring Marc Marquez doubled up for the sixth weekend in a row as Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #54) and Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing #72) claimed Austrian GP podiums. It was an exciting round yet again. Report: MotoGP/Ed Stratmann
Friday Practice and Saturday Qualifying MotoGP
Practice honours post summer break went the way of title race leader Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) after the #93’s 1:28.117 was enough to finish 0.228s ahead of second-fastest Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing #37).
Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) went from Q1 to pole position in qualifying, taking his first pole with Aprilia and first since the 2023 Indian GP.
Moto2
It was a championship standings 1-2 as Friday concluded for Moto2 in Austria. Points leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #18) clinched top honours with a new lap record, but he was just 0.013s ahead of the opposition led by second in the standings Aron Canet (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego #44).
Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) set a scintillating pace in Moto2 Q2 to clinch pole position. However, after being handed a three-place grid penalty for Sunday’s race, it was second-place Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team #27) who would launch from P1, with Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team #10) and former Spielberg winner Celestino Vietti (Sync SpeedRS Team #13) alongside.
Moto3
It was a classy Friday at the office for Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI #36) after the Spaniard topped Moto3 Practice with a 1:39.918 – a new all-time lap record for the class at the Red Bull Ring.
Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3 #73) took pole position in Austria, making it the first for Argentina since 2021 and his first ever in Moto3. Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) had been staking his claim on the win throughout the weekend but was forced to settle for second, ahead of teammate Ryusei Yamanaka (#6).
The unbeaten run continues. Championship leader Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) was made to work for it from the second row, but, in the end, the #93 beat Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #73) to Tissot Sprint glory by just over a second. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) bagged a third straight top three after coming from Row 3 to P3 in KTM’s backyard, as Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team #63) endured a torrid Saturday afternoon.
Off the line, it was an absolute disaster for both Bagnaia and Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) as both lit up the rear tyre big time, costing the riders in P3 and P6 a colossal chunk of time. Alex Marquez, meanwhile, grabbed the Sprint lead ahead of Marc Marquez, with Acosta passing Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) for P2 at the beginning of Lap 2 at the same place where, on the opening lap, Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing #1) was forced to run wide. That saw the reigning Champion drop to P15, one place behind Pecco.
Then, a change at the front. The #93 got a great run out of Turn 2B and made a move stick at Turn 3 with five laps to go, so could the #73 do anything in response? The answer with three laps to go was a firm no. Marc Marquez grew his advantage to 0.7s, but the red corner did have a track limits warning.
But, as expected, no mistakes came from Marc Marquez as he extended his incredible winning run to 11 on the spin in 2025. Alex Marquez crossed the line in P2, 1.9s ahead of Acosta, who kept Bezzecchi at bay.
“I saw immediately that it was difficult to be close to Alex, but then I decided to wait a bit. When the tyres started to drop [grip], it’s when I felt better and I started to push.”
Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) finally conquered the Red Bull Ring, clinching a vital win in MotoGP’s 1000th Grand Prix and extending his championship lead with a full 25-point haul.
After a poor Sprint start, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) launched well in the main race, briefly challenging Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) for the holeshot. However, it was Bezzecchi who led early, fending off a hard-charging Marquez. The reigning champion soon made a move stick on Bagnaia at Turn 3 to take P2.
Bezzecchi set a strong early pace, but Marquez steadily reeled him in. By Lap 8, the gap was down to just 0.2s. On Lap 18, the lead battle intensified as Marquez attacked at Turn 3 and took the lead on Lap 20 with a move at Turn 1. Bezzecchi briefly retook the lead but couldn’t hold off Marquez’s second strike.
Meanwhile, rookie sensation Fermin Aldeguer was flying. After muscling past Acosta and Bagnaia, he became Marquez’s closest challenger, slicing the gap with stunning pace – setting the fastest lap on Lap 22. By Lap 24, he was into P2 and just 0.9s behind.
Marquez, however, kept his composure. With two laps remaining, he controlled the gap and held firm to claim his first-ever win at the Red Bull Ring. Aldeguer impressed with P2, while Bezzecchi secured back-to-back podiums for the first time since 2023.
It was Marquez’s sixth win in as many races, another statement in his title charge, and a significant milestone victory in the sport’s history.
“Super happy to finally take the first victory here in Austria,” Marquez explained. “We found a good setup, especially with the used tyres as we saw with Bezzecchi – in the first part he was strong, but I just waited. I tried in the beginning, but it was too risky. I preferred to wait and then attack at the end.”
After a tough run of form before the summer break, Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) returned to winning ways with a flawless ride at the Red Bull Ring, collecting 25 crucial points in a dramatic Moto2 race. Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) suffered a costly DNF due to a radiator issue, dealing a major blow to his title hopes.
Rookie Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) started from pole and led early, claiming his first Moto2 podium with a strong second place. Celestino Vietti (Sync SpeedRS Team) rounded out the podium in third, despite a Long Lap penalty for track limits.
Early chaos saw Jake Dixon (#96) and Joe Roberts (#16) run wide at Turn 2A, before Senna Agius (#81) crashed heavily at Turn 2B – thankfully walking away uninjured. Aron Canet had a scare on Lap 2, while Gonzalez’s race unravelled soon after. A suspected mechanical issue dropped him 10 positions before briefly recovering, only to retire two laps later. A post-race check revealed a stone had pierced his radiator – a brutal twist for the title contender.
At the front, Moreira controlled the race while Holgado and Vietti battled behind. David Alonso (#80) joined the fight and passed Vietti for third with nine laps to go, but Vietti hit back. Their scrap allowed Moreira and Holgado to pull away, and with seven laps remaining, Vietti was handed a Long Lap penalty.
That appeared to set up a three-way fight for the win, but more drama followed. Alonso crashed at Turn 9 with five laps to go, ending his podium hopes and promoting Vietti back into third.
Moreira’s composed ride earned him a vital victory, Holgado impressed with P2 and Vietti salvaged a hard-fought podium.
Tony Arbolino BLU CRU PramacYamaha Moto2 (+6.448s)
Moto2 Championship Points
Manuel Gonzalez Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 188
Aron Canet Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 169
Diogo Moreira Italtrans Racing Team – 153
Barry Baltus Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 143
Jake Dixon Elf Marc VDS Racing – 119
Moto3
Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) emerged victorious from a thrilling six-rider battle at the Red Bull Ring, banking his first win since Lusail and leading a 1-2 for his team with teammate Ryusei Yamanaka finishing second.
Piqueras grabbed the holeshot ahead of polesitter Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3), but it was Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team #28) who soon took over at the front. By a third race distance, a lead group of four – Yamanaka, Quiles, Piqueras and Perrone – broke clear from the chasing pack.
Yamanaka led briefly before Quiles reclaimed the top spot on Lap 10. Perrone, eyeing Argentina’s first Moto3 win in 20 years, climbed back into podium contention on Lap 13. Behind them, Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing #31) and Championship leader Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo #99) tried to close the gap.
With six laps to go, Fernandez closed to under a second but later dropped to seventh after an error. Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia #72) and David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports #64) then joined the leaders to set up a dramatic finale.
On the final lap, chaos unfolded. Muñoz charged from 14th to P2, barging past multiple riders. Quiles and Perrone were forced wide, dropping to fifth and sixth. At the front, Piqueras held firm under immense pressure. Yamanaka surged into second at Turn 9, with Muñoz grabbing third in the final corners.
It was a stunning finish: Piqueras took the win, Yamanaka made it a dream 1-2 for MT Helmets – MSI and Muñoz completed the podium. Quiles salvaged fourth, with Rueda rounding out the top five in a hard-fought battle that saw the championship leader maintain consistency in the title race.
David Munoz Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP (+0.171s)
Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team (+0.250s)
Jose Antonio Rueda Red Bull KTM Ajo (+0.541s)
Moto3 Championship Points
Jose Antonio Rueda Red Bull KTM Ajo – 239
Angel Piqueras FRINSA – MT Helmets – 168
David Munoz Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 139
Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team – 139
Alvaro Carpe Red Bull KTM Ajo – 139
MotoE
Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE #11) bagged a double victory at the Red Bull Ring to complete the perfect weekend following his Friday pole position, as reigning World Champion Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP #1) earned two podiums. Elsewhere, Eric Granado (LCR E-Team #51) and teammate Mattia Casadei (#40) pocketed one podium each as we look forward to more great racing in Hungary.
Tibor Erik Varga Rivacold Snipers Team MotoE (+0.574s)
Lorenzo Baldassarri Dynavolt Intact GP (+1.148s)
MotoE Championship Points
Andrea Mantovani KLINT Forward Factory Team – 88
Alessandro Zaccone Aruba Cloud MotoE Team – 80
Lorenzo Baldassarri Dynavolt Intact GP – 67
Jordi Torres Power Electronics Aspar Team – 69
Mattia Casadei LCR E-Team – 66
How Did the Aussies Do?
After an underwhelming 17th in the sprint, where he battled severe spinning, Jack Miller (#43) suffered the same fate in the main race, limping home in 18th to round out a forgettable weekend.
Kicking off his weekend with a handy P5 in FP2 and a sixth in qualifying, things were looking good that Senna Agius would enjoy a quality race. But sadly it wasn’t to be, for a brutal crash, which even saw him get run over, at Turn 2 with Ivan Ortola (#4) and Alonso López (#21) ended his day. Fortunately, he escaped without serious injury. Although scans at the Red Bull Ring came back clear, he was transferred to Judenburg Hospital for precautionary checks and is scheduled for further tests in Barcelona on Monday.
Back from injury, Joel Kelso (#66) claimed 10th on the grid and delivered a commendable 12th in the race. He leaves determined to build on this ahead of the next round in Hungary.
Jacob Roulstone (#12) qualified a solid P12, but the race proved challenging, as grip issues held him back, thus meaning 14th was the best he could manage.
Suzuki Australia has officially announced pricing for the all-new DR-Z4S and DR-Z4SM, with the first Australian shipment expected to land in December 2025. The DR-Z4S will be priced at $14,490 ride-away, while the DR-Z4SM comes in at $14,990 ride-away.
Demand has been huge, with Suzuki confirming more than 1,300 online expressions of interest already lodged since the models were first teased. To manage the rush, Suzuki is launching a priority pre-order process designed to reward early fans who registered their interest online.
Customers who completed the “Register Your Interest” form will receive an email from Suzuki on August 12 inviting them to contact their preferred dealer to arrange pre-order contracts. Dealers and customers have until August 29 to lock in as many confirmed pre-orders as possible. The initial December shipment will then be allocated in the order registrations were received.
From September 1, orders will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, matched to the earliest registration dates until stock is exhausted.
Both models will be offered in two colours:
DR-Z4S – Champion Yellow No.2 / Solid Special White No.2, or Solid Iron Grey.
DR-Z4SM – Solid Special White No.2, or Sky Grey.
Suzuki will also offer a range of Genuine Accessories for both bikes, including knuckle covers, brake disc covers, axle sliders, a rear carrier, aluminium skid plate, and a low seat.
Get on Track at Sydney Motorsport Park – Final Winter & First Spring Ride Days Announced | Now’s the time to shake off the winter blues and gear up for some track time, with the final winter SMSP Ride Days coming up fast, followed by the first spring sessions just around the corner.
It was great to be back on track this year for our Editor, Jeff, and the BMW M 1000 RR was a highlight for him at the MEGA 30th Birthday Celebrations day held at a SMSP Ride Days event recently…
We’ve been doing our track testing at Sydney Motorsport Park or SMSP Ride Days for decades. In fact, our Editor has been a regular at SMSP since the early 2000s – testing bikes back in the Rapid Bikes days, and even earlier as a young journo at Two Wheels and Streetbike magazines! These ride days are a well-run, safe and seriously fun way to get that speed fix – without breaking the law.
Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, scrub in a fresh set of tyres, or just enjoy your bike in its natural environment – SMSP Ride Days are the perfect way to do it. With expert control riders, a familiar format, and the chance to ride one of Australia’s premier race circuits, it’s no surprise these events are so popular among street and track riders alike.
If you need a bike or gear, you can always hire one of the MEGA BMW track fleet bikes, and a full set of track gear, plus you can purchase tyres and have them fitted at the track on the day!
Check out our SMSP Ride Days features here… and 30 Years of MEGA BMW test here…
Final Winter Ride Days:
Thursday, 21st August 2025 – $305 (Weekday)
Friday, 22nd August 2025 – $305 (Weekday)
First Spring Ride Days/Nights:
Friday, 12th September 2025 – $305 (Weekday)
Friday, 19th September 2025 – $249 (Weeknight)
October Ride Days:
Saturday, 4th October 2025 – $355 (Weekend)
Sunday, 5th October 2025 – $355 (Weekend)
Monday, 6th October 2025 (Labour Day) – $355 (Public Holiday)
Friday, 31st October 2025 – $305 (Weekday)
To book your spot, simply click on the date of your choice at www.smsprd.com and you’ll be taken directly to the booking page. For more information, contact the Ride Days team on 0490 281 840 during business hours, or email info@ridedays.com.au.
