The moment came during the weekend’s Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour, which attracted 20,216 spectators who enjoyed perfect autumn weather and thrilling endurance racing. The 2026 edition delivered close competition across the field, with the annual production-car enduro again proving why it has become one of Australia’s most popular grassroots motorsport events.

But for motorcycle fans, the real headline came when a group of riders rolled onto the closed circuit for two special 15-minute demonstration sessions – the first motorcycles to lap Mount Panorama Circuit in a group in 26 years. The sessions were kept under wraps until successful completion Sunday afternoon, used as testers for future planned motorcycle events.

Six riders were invited by Bathurst Regional Council to take part in the historic return: Australian Superbike and International legends Shawn Giles, Roy Leslie and Ken Watson – plus experienced current racer Keo Watson and ex-racers Steve Wood and motorcycling publisher Jeff Ware.

Shawn Giles, multiple Australian Superbike Champion, “I’ve been coming to Bathurst at Easter since I was a child, as my family owned a motorcycle shop. Being back in the pits brings back memories and riding today with Roy Leslie was fantastic. I was getting Déjà vu over the mountain from our 1994 TT battle! The Suzuki GSX-8R was the perfect bike here and I look forward to riding here more often, everything went smoothly and to plan, with safety paramount” …

Roy Leslie, Racing Legend, “This was a great experience and a lot of fun. The last time I rode here was in 1994 racing against Shawn. Today I felt at home on the Ducati almost immediately, and in the second session it all started to come back – I hopped off wishing I had another dozen laps!” …

Ken Watson, Racing Luminary, “A lot of effort behind the scenes has gone into making this happen and everyone involved deserves a big pat on the back as everything went well and, more importantly, safely. It was fantastic to ride here again, the last time for me was the TT in 2000, and riding Mt Panorama on the TZ750 was a thrill” …

Organised through a huge collaborative effort between the event promotors ARG (Australian Racing Group) Bathurst Regional Council, Bathurst Mayor Cr. Robert ‘Stumpy’ Taylor and Motorcycling Australia, the demonstration proved an immediate crowd favourite.

Cr. Robert ‘Stumpy’ Taylor, “Without the efforts of ARG and everyone involved, we would not have been able to make this historic moment happen. After the success of these demonstration laps, I will be meeting with MA and discussing future events and ideas for 2027 and beyond, it was fantastic to witness two wheels back on Mt Panorama” …

The bikes ran on Saturday afternoon and again on Sunday morning, with excited fans, officials and car team members lining the fences around the famous circuit to witness the long-awaited return of two wheels to The Mountain.

Judging by the reception from spectators and organisers alike, the future for motorcycles in a non-competitive way at Mount Panorama Raceway suddenly looks very promising. Stay tuned for more news as plans for 2027 and beyond are announced by organisers and promotors.

The post Motorcycles Return To Mt Panorama Bathurst Over Easter appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

Friday Practice and Saturday Qualifying
MotoGP

Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing #72) wasted no time stamping his authority on the opening round of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship, smashing the Buriram lap record on Friday with a stunning 1:28.526. The Italian’s effort bettered his own test benchmark and left the field chasing shadows on the opening day of the season.

Bezzecchi completed a clean sweep of Friday by topping both sessions, finishing four tenths clear of reigning World Champion Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team #93), who salvaged second late in the session after briefly looking at risk of missing the automatic Q2 spots.

Read our other race content here… and Full Qualifying from Buriram here...

Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team #49) completed the top three after leading the timesheets for much of the session, showing impressive consistency across his runs. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing #37) continued his strong pre-season form in fourth, while Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing #89) returned to competition in style to claim fifth despite a small crash earlier in the day.

Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #73) ended the day sixth ahead of Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol #36), who was Honda’s top performer in seventh. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing #33) secured a Q2 berth in eighth, while rookie Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team #79) finished ninth despite a late fall at Turn 7. Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR #5) rounded out the top ten.

The biggest shock of the session came for Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team #63), who failed to improve late in the session and ended Practice down in 15th, forcing the two-time MotoGP champion into Q1.

Moto2

2025 Thai Grand Prix winner Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #18) picked up where he left off by topping Friday’s rain-hit Moto2 Practice with a new all-time lap record of 1:34.501.

Alex Escrig (KLINT Racing Team #11) and Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 #28) completed the top three, separated by just 0.185 seconds, while several high-profile names were caught out by worsening conditions.

David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team #80) was among the riders left frustrated after rain arrived in Sector 1 late in the session, dropping the Colombian to 22nd and forcing him into a stacked Q1 session alongside race winners including Alonso Lopez, Joe Roberts, Tony Arbolino, Deniz Öncü and Aron Canet. Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team #27) and Mario Aji (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia #64) finished fourth and fifth respectively, while Australia’s Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #81) impressed with sixth fastest.

Moto3

Moto3’s opening day in Thailand saw David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #22) set the early pace as the Spaniard topped Friday’s Practice session. Almansa was the only rider to dip into the 1:40s with a best lap that left him just under a tenth clear of fellow Spaniard Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo #83). Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3 #73) completed the top three after an impressive showing for the Argentine.

Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team #28) finished fourth ahead of teammate Marco Morelli, while Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power #19) rounded out the top six in an all-KTM-heavy session. Honda’s best performer was rookie Jesus Rios (Rivacold Snipers Team #74) in seventh, just ahead of Indonesian debutant Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia #54). Irish rider Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse #67) also impressed in 13th, securing a direct place in Q2.

One of the big names to miss out was David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #64), who ended the day 16th and was forced to fight through Q1.

Saturday
Tissot Sprint

The 2026 MotoGP season erupted into life with an instant classic at Buriram as Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) claimed his first ever Sprint victory after a breathtaking duel with reigning World Champion Marc Marquez. The 13-lap dash delivered fireworks from the start as Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) initially led the race after an early scrap with Marquez before disaster struck on Lap 2 when the Italian crashed at Turn 8 while leading comfortably.

That moment handed the lead to Marquez, but Acosta immediately went on the attack. The KTM star launched multiple attempts at the Ducati rider over the following laps, each pass becoming increasingly aggressive as the tension built. Acosta finally made a decisive move late in the race, but contact between the pair on the penultimate lap brought the stewards into action. Marquez lunged up the inside at Turn 12 and made contact with Acosta, forcing the KTM rider wide.

Race Direction immediately launched an investigation and handed Marquez a one-position penalty. The Spaniard served it dramatically at the final corner, backing off to allow Acosta through before trying to strike back on the exit.

Acosta crossed the line to take his maiden Sprint win and become the first KTM rider to lead the MotoGP World Championship. Marquez held on for second, narrowly keeping Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team #25) behind as the Aprilia rider completed the podium. Fernandez’s teammate Ai Ogura finished fourth in an impressive performance for the Trackhouse squad, while Jorge Martin completed the top five on his return to racing with Aprilia. Further back, Brad Binder, Joan Mir and Fabio Di Giannantonio filled the next three positions, while Francesco Bagnaia salvaged the final Sprint point in ninth.

“This is an incredible way to start the season. The fight with Marc was intense and fair, and taking my first Sprint win like this feels amazing,” Acosta said.

Tissot Sprint Race Results
Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM
Marc Marquez Ducati Lenovo (+0.000s)
Raul Fernandez Trackhouse Aprilia
Ai Ogura Trackhouse Aprilia
Jorge Martin Aprilia Racing

Sunday
MotoGP

Marco Bezzecchi delivered the perfect response to his Sprint crash by dominating Sunday’s PT Grand Prix of Thailand and giving Aprilia Racing a dream start to the 2026 MotoGP season.

The Italian converted pole position into a commanding victory at Buriram, finishing comfortably ahead of Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) in a race packed with drama.

The result also ended Ducati’s remarkable podium streak of 88 consecutive Grands Prix, the first time since the 2021 British Grand Prix that no Ducati rider finished on the Sunday rostrum. Bezzecchi grabbed the holeshot at the start and immediately established a strong rhythm at the front, while Fernandez wasted no time attacking Marc Marquez for second place at Turn 7 on the opening lap.

Jorge Martin briefly joined the battle before Acosta began carving his way through the field. The KTM rider dispatched Marquez at Turn 12 and then fought his way past Martin to move into podium contention. As Bezzecchi controlled the race from the front, the fight behind intensified between Acosta, Fernandez and Marquez. The reigning champion remained within striking distance until disaster struck late in the race when a rear tyre puncture forced the Ducati rider to retire.

More drama followed when Alex Marquez crashed out at Turn 4 and Joan Mir was also forced to retire with tyre problems after running strongly inside the top six. With chaos unfolding behind him, Bezzecchi cruised to victory to secure his third consecutive Grand Prix win following his triumphs in Portugal and Valencia last season.

Acosta produced another superb ride to finish second and leave Thailand as the MotoGP World Championship leader, while Fernandez battled through shoulder pain to secure a double Round 1 podium for the Trackhouse Aprilia team.

Jorge Martin marked his return to racing with a strong fourth place finish ahead of rookie Ai Ogura, while Fabio Di Giannantonio was the top Ducati rider in sixth. Brad Binder finished seventh ahead of Franco Morbidelli and Francesco Bagnaia, while Luca Marini rounded out the top ten.

“It’s incredible to start the season like this. After the Sprint crash we stayed calm, trusted the bike and today everything worked perfectly,” Bezzecchi said.

MotoGP Race Results
Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing
Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM (+)
Raul Fernandez Trackhouse Aprilia (+)
Jorge Martin Aprilia Racing
Ai Ogura Trackhouse Aprilia

Check out the full MotoGP race results here…

MotoGP Championship Points
Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM – 32
Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing – 25
Raul Fernandez Trackhouse Aprilia – 16
Jorge Martin Aprilia Racing – 13
Ai Ogura Trackhouse Aprilia – 11

Moto2

Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) launched his 2026 Moto2 title campaign in perfect fashion with victory in a dramatic season opener at Buriram.

The race was interrupted twice by red flags before a seven-lap sprint decided the outcome. Gonzalez eventually defeated Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) in a tense late-race duel, while Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) secured the final podium position.

Guevara initially grabbed the holeshot but early chaos saw several riders run wide, allowing Holgado to take the lead before the first red flag appeared following a crash involving Senna Agius, David Alonso and Filip Salac.

After a second restart and a seven-lap dash to the finish, Gonzalez stalked Guevara before making a decisive move at Turn 7 on the penultimate lap. Guevara attempted a final attack around the outside at the last corner but Gonzalez held firm to claim the opening victory of the season.

Moto2 Race Results
Manuel Gonzalez Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP
Izan Guevara BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 (+)
Daniel Holgado CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team (+)
Ivan Ortola QJMOTOR – Pont Grup – MSI
Collin Veijer Red Bull KTM Ajo

Moto2 Championship Points
Manuel Gonzalez – 25
Izan Guevara – 20
Daniel Holgado – 16
Ivan Ortola – 13
Collin Veijer – 11

Moto3

Moto3 delivered its usual chaos to kick off the 2026 season as David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) secured his maiden Grand Prix victory in a breathtaking final-corner showdown with Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team).

The pair battled throughout the race before Quiles launched a last-gasp attack at the final corner. Almansa defended perfectly and powered to the line to win by just 0.003 seconds — equalling the closest finish in Moto3 history.

Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) completed the podium after winning a late battle for third ahead of Alvaro Carpe.

Moto3 Race Results
David Almansa Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP
Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar (+0.003s)
Valentin Perrone Red Bull KTM Tech3 (+)
Alvaro Carpe Red Bull KTM Ajo
Veda Pratama Honda Team Asia

Moto3 Championship Points
David Almansa – 25
Maximo Quiles – 20
Valentin Perrone – 16
Alvaro Carpe – 13
Veda Pratama – 11

How Did the Aussies Do?

It was a challenging opening round of the 2026 MotoGP season for Australia’s riders at Buriram.
Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) faced a tough weekend aboard the Yamaha package. After qualifying down in 18th, the Queenslander fought through the opening race but ultimately crossed the line in 15th place, finishing as the best of Yamaha’s four riders in the Thai Grand Prix despite the bike’s clear pace deficit.

In Moto3, Joel Kelso (GRYD – MLav Racing) endured a difficult race after showing flashes of speed earlier in the weekend. The Australian eventually finished 14th in the season opener, just over 17 seconds behind race winner David Almansa.

In Moto2, Senna Agius’ weekend was one of mixed fortunes. The young Australian delivered a stunning performance in qualifying to claim his first Moto2 pole position, but his race unravelled early after being caught up in a multi-rider incident that triggered the first red flag. Although able to take the restart, the drama effectively ended his chances of fighting for the podium.

Despite the tough start to the season for Australia’s contingent, all three riders will be eager to bounce back when the MotoGP paddock heads to Brazil for Round 2.

The post MotoGP 2026 Round 1 Report | Buriram Thailand. appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

Friday Practice and Saturday Qualifying
MotoGP

The rider to beat on MotoGP’s final Friday of the season? Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing #37). The KTM star set a 1:29.240 to beat Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing #72) by just 0.053s at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, as Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team #21) earned P3 in what was a very competitive opening day of action at the Motul Grand Prix of the Valencian Community.

Less than a tenth split the top five in qualifying? Go on then! That’s exactly what we were served in the final pole position battle of the season, and it was a fight that was won by Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) as the fastest quintet all set times that were under the previous lap record. The Italian’s 1:28.809 was 0.026s quicker than Alex Marquez’s (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #73) effort and 0.044s better than Fabio Di Giannantonio’s (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team #49) personal best.

Moto2

There was an early slice of drama in the Moto2 title-deciding weekend. Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team #10) was forced to battle it out in Q1 on Saturday afternoon at the Grand Prix of Valencia after finishing Friday’s Practice session in P19, while title rival Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #18) sailed into Q2 with a P10 result on Day 1. Meanwhile, despite a late tumble, Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team #27) led the way with a 1:32.408, with Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team #96) and Daniel Muñoz (Red Bull KTM Ajo #17) completing the top three.

Read our previous MotoGP news here…

A fourth pole of the season for Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) made it another record-breaking Moto2 qualifying session in Valencia. World Championship leader Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) qualified in P9 for the finale, with title rival Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) starting from P5 as he gunned for victory on Sunday.

Moto3

Under sunny skies at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia, David Almansa (Leopard Racing #22) was lightning quick on Friday to secure top spot and a pathway to Q2. He set fastest lap after fastest lap to shave almost a second off the old lap record. The Spaniard sported a margin of over three tenths of a second and went into Saturday as the rider to beat, as teammate Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing #31) and Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3 #73) completed the top three.

Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) clinched pole position for the Moto3 Grand Prix of Valencia on Saturday afternoon with a mega lap of 1 ‘36.990s, enough to finish ahead of the opposition. Behind, teammate David Almansa (Leopard Racing) made it a Honda 1-2, whilst Maximo Quiles’ (CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team #28) went from P3.

Saturday
Tissot Sprint

Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) capped the final Tissot Sprint of 2025 with a commanding victory, making it back-to-back Sprint wins and his third of the season. The #73 controlled the race from the start, finishing ahead of Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), who charged forward from the second row, while Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) secured third after a late fight with Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team #25).

Launching perfectly from P2, Marquez grabbed the holeshot ahead of polesitter Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing). Acosta made a lightning start of his own, jumping from fifth to second by Turn 2. Bezzecchi, however, endured a nightmare opening lap, slipping to sixth behind Fernandez, Di Giannantonio and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP #20).

Early drama struck Honda on Lap 2 when Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol #36) crashed at Turn 2, collecting teammate Luca Marini and ending both riders’ Sprints. Mir was handed a Long Lap penalty for the GP. A lap later in the same corner, Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP #43) and Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #54) made contact, forcing Aldeguer wide. Miller was ordered to drop three positions but did not serve the penalty, leading to a Long Lap Penalty that derailed his points push.

Bezzecchi eventually cleared Quartararo for fifth, though the gap to Fernandez and Di Giannantonio ahead exceeded a second. At the front, Marquez stretched his lead to 1.4s by mid-distance, managing the pace calmly as Acosta searched for his first MotoGP win while also defending from those behind. Further back, Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) passed Quartararo as the Yamaha rider faded.

The fight for third intensified late as Di Giannantonio and Fernandez traded positions from Turn 4 to Turn 6 on the penultimate lap. Their battling allowed Bezzecchi to close in, but he ran out of time to join the podium fight.

Marquez sealed the win ahead of Acosta, who claimed his fourth consecutive Sprint podium. The result, coupled with Francesco Bagnaia’s (Ducati Lenovo Team #63) P14, moved Acosta into fourth in the standings. Di Giannantonio completed the podium ahead of Fernandez, while Bezzecchi settled for fifth ahead of Sunday’s GP.

“Super happy to win today. During the weekend we suffered a bit more than normal, but today in the Sprint I say, ‘We need to win, we need to be there’. I attacked from the start. And I saw that I could put my rhythm and save a little bit of tyre in the beginning and then push at the end. We did it, and I controlled the gap in a very good way,” Marquez said.

Tissot Sprint Race Results

1. Alex Marquez BK8 Gresini Ducati
2. Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM (+1.149s)
3. Fabio Di Giannantonio Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+2.637s)
4. Raul Fernandez Trackhouse Aprilia (+3.519s)
5. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing (+3.727s)

Sunday
MotoGP

Aprilia closed 2025 in style as Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) delivered a lights-to-flag victory in Valencia, securing back-to-back wins for the first time and leading teammate Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) for the manufacturer’s first 1-2 since 2023. Fernandez pushed hard to the line, finishing just 0.6s adrift, while Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) snatched third from Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) to extend Ducati’s run of 88 consecutive podiums into 2026.

Before lights out, drama struck as Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) collided with Aleix Espargaro (Honda HRC Test Team #41) while forming up on the grid, ending Morbidelli’s season with a fractured left hand. Once the race began, Bezzecchi launched cleanly and held the lead over Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), but chaos erupted at Turn 4 when Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR #5) lost control and forced Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) into the gravel. Bagnaia tipped off, ending his race and season, while Zarco was handed a Long Lap Penalty.

Fernandez quickly carved forward, passing Di Giannantonio and closing down Bezzecchi and Marquez with successive fastest laps. By Lap 11, he swept past Marquez for second, while Acosta and Di Giannantonio closed in behind as Marquez struggled for pace. The leading trio built a gap of more than two seconds, but Fernandez steadily chipped away at Bezzecchi’s advantage.

With 11 laps remaining, Acosta began pressuring Marquez and finally forced his way into third at Turn 4 on Lap 20. Di Giannantonio followed suit with an identical move a lap later, dropping Marquez to fifth. Up front, Bezzecchi’s lead hovered around half a second as Fernandez continued to push, bringing the gap down to 0.4s with three laps to go.

The final laps produced two fierce duels: Bezzecchi vs Fernandez for the win and Acosta vs Di Giannantonio for the final podium. Di Giannantonio struck first, overtaking Acosta at Turn 4 with two laps remaining. The KTM rider fought back, but the Italian held firm.

On the last lap, Bezzecchi maintained just enough margin to keep Fernandez at bay, securing Aprilia’s 1-2. Di Giannantonio completed the podium, finishing a strong Valencia double. Acosta took P4, confirming fourth overall in the standings. Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) claimed P5 with a last-corner move on teammate Alex Marquez, who ended the day in P6.

“I was super motivated after yesterday because for different reasons, I wasn’t good enough to fight for the podium [in the Sprint], and I was a little bit angry with myself,” Bezzecchi explained. “I started in front and put my rhythm on, and I was feeling good and able to manage [the race] until the end. I was not [surprised] from Raul, I saw his pace yesterday, and I was hoping for a little bit less, but in the end, the last two laps, I was a bit afraid. I was managing through all the race, and it never got too scary. I was always in control, but then in the last two laps I started to think I was in a little bit of trouble with the rear [tyre] as Raul was coming.”

MotoGP Race Results

1. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing
2. Raul Fernandez Trackhouse Aprilia (+0.686s)
3. Fabio Di Giannantonio Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+3.765s)
4. Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM (+4.749s)
5. Fermin Aldeguer BK8 Gresini Ducati (+8.048s)

Check out the full MotoGP race results here…

MotoGP Championship Points

1. Marc Marquez BK8 Gresini Ducati – 545
2. Alex Marquez Ducati Lenovo – 467
3. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing – 353
4. Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM – 307
5. Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo – 288

Moto2

Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) is the 2025 Moto2 World Champion, becoming Brazil’s first-ever Grand Prix world champion. A calm and calculated 10th place was all he needed, as his only remaining title rival, Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP), required a win but was forced to pit with a rear-tyre issue while running in the latter half of the top ten.

At the front, Izan Guevara (BLUCRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 #28) claimed his maiden Moto2 victory in superb style, becoming the record 11th different winner of a wildly competitive season. Daniel Holgado (CFMoto Inde Aspar Team) pushed him all the way for P2, while Ivan Ortola (QJMotor – FRINSA – MSI #4) produced a brilliant charge to secure his first Moto2 podium in third.

Guevara grabbed the holeshot ahead of Holgado, Albert Arenas (ITALJET Gresini Moto2 #75) and Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #81), while Gonzalez settled into fifth and Moreira into ninth, elbows out and riding with the title in mind. Ortiz began climbing early, passing Gonzalez for fifth on Lap 5, then attacking Arenas for fourth on Lap 7 as Guevara and Holgado tried to edge clear.

Agius and Ortola briefly closed the gap on the leaders but soon fell into their own battle, allowing the front two to rebuild breathing room. Meanwhile, Gonzalez was feeling the pressure; a pair of wide moments underlined his struggle to maintain pace, and Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo #95) soon swept past him. Arenas and Filip Salač (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team #12) followed, dropping the #18 to eighth as Moreira remained a composed ninth, just behind the fading Spaniard.

With five laps to go, the championship pivoted dramatically. Gonzalez slowed, signalling a rear-end problem. Moreira slipped by him cleanly before the Spaniard dived into pit lane for a tyre change, effectively ending his title hopes despite rejoining. From that moment, the 2025 Moto2 World Championship belonged to Diogo Moreira.

Up front, the fight for victory went down to the wire. Holgado hounded Guevara throughout the final laps, but the #28 never cracked, defending perfectly in the final sector to secure his first Moto2 win. Holgado took P2 and Ortola completed a breakthrough rookie podium in P3.

Veijer finished fourth, while Salač crossed the line fifth before a tyre-pressure penalty dropped him down the order. Arenas inherited P5 in his final Moto2 race, Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) stormed to P6 and Agius faded to seventh ahead of Celestino Vietti (Sync SpeedRS Team #13). Tony Arbolino (BLUCRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 #14) took P9, with the new World Champion Moreira classified 10th.

Moto2 Race Results

1. Izan Guevara BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2
2. Daniel Holgado CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team (+0.717s)
3. Ivan Ortola QJMOTOR – FRINSA – MSI (+2.327s)
4. Collin Veijer Red Bull KTM Ajo (+2.888s)
5. Filip Salac Elf Marc VDS Racing (+5.714s)

Moto2 Championship Points

1. Diogo Moreira Italtrans Racing Team – 286
2. Manuel Gonzalez Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 257
3. Barry Baltus Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 232
4. Aron Canet Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 227
5. Jake Dixon Elf Marc VDS Racing – 224

Moto3

Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) finally became a Grand Prix winner at his 86th attempt, converting pole into victory in Valencia after leading much of the 20-lap finale. The Spaniard held off compatriot Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo #83) and Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia #72), while sixth place secured P2 in the Championship for Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI #36).

Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team) grabbed the holeshot into Turn 1, but Fernandez retook the lead immediately at Turn 2. David Almansa (Leopard Racing) briefly hit the front at the end of Lap 1, only to be pushed wide by his teammate at Turn 14 a lap later, dropping to P8 and leaving him with work to do. Fernandez resumed control ahead of Quiles, while Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse #58) carved through the early chaos to join the top three.

The pace was fierce, with the lead group of eight tightly packed. Almansa worked his way back to fourth by Lap 8 but was quickly shuffled down again as Furusato, Lunetta, Carpe and Guido Pini (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP #94) attacked. At the front, Fernandez remained calm, keeping Quiles close behind him.

Entering the second half, Fernandez tried to break the group with the fastest lap. Furusato moved into second ahead of Quiles and began chasing the leader, with Pini in fourth and Carpe fighting Lunetta a few bike lengths behind. Further back, Almansa found himself in a scrap with Piqueras and Marco Morelli (GRYD – MLav Racing #95) for seventh.

Despite several attempts to escape, Fernandez faced a five-rider battle heading into the final lap. Carpe and Quiles exchanged attacks through Turns 6–8, while Furusato shadowed Fernandez into the last corner. The #31 held firm, crossing the line first to claim a long-awaited maiden win.

Furusato finished second on the road but was penalised for exceeding track limits on the final lap, dropping him to third. Carpe inherited P2, matching his best result of the season, while a late double move from Carpe and Pini pushed Quiles down to P5 at the flag – enough to secure third in the final standings.

Moto3 Race Results

1. Adrian Fernandez Leopard Racing
2. Alvaro Carpe Red Bull KTM Ajo (+0.286s)
3. Taiyo Furusato Honda Team Asia (+0.386s)
4. Guido Pini Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP (+0.674s)
5. Maximo Quiles CFMoto Valresa Aspar Team (+0.725s)

Moto3 Championship Points

1. Jose Antonio Rueda Red Bull KTM Ajo – 365
2. Angel Piqueras FRINSA – MT Helmets – 281
3. Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team – 274
4. Alvaro Carpe Red Bull KTM Ajo – 215
5. David Munoz Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 197

How Did the Aussies Do?

Having gone fastest in FP1 and sixth in practice before qualifying P8, Jack Miller’s weekend was shaping up nicely. After a strong launch in the Sprint, he ended up in a scrap with Fermín Aldeguer for eighth, with the pair making contact at Turn 2 on Lap 3 to scupper his bout. Miller received a three-position penalty but didn’t serve it and was instead given a long-lap sanction that dropped him to 12th.

In the GP, Miller brought it home in ninth. After running much of the race in sixth and seventh with an attacking but controlled ride, a late tyre drop forced him onto the defensive, costing him two positions to Luca Marini and Brad Binder. Senna Agius finished the season strong with P7 in the final race. After qualifying third, he battled near the top three but lost grip late in the race, crossing the line eighth before being promoted to seventh following a time penalty for Filip Salac.

Having qualified P12 for the finale, Joel Kelso (#66) frustratingly crashed out, ending his season on a sour note. While not the finish he wanted, he reflected positively on what was his best season yet at this level. Starting 23rd in his final race with Tech3, Jacob Roulstone (#12) quickly moved up, reaching 16th by Lap 3 and climbing as high as 13th mid-race. Battling an injured hand, he gradually fell back but finished strongly in 16th to end the season 16th in the standings.

The post MotoGP 2025 Round 22 Report | Marco Bezzecchi does it again! appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

Friday Practice and Saturday Qualifying
MotoGP

0.088s covered the top three at the end of Day 1 in Portimao. We’ll have some of that. It was Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #73) who led the field thanks to a 1:37.974, as Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team #63) and Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing #37) hunted the #73 very closely on what turned out to be another brilliant Friday afternoon in MotoGP.

Well, that wasn’t a bad qualifying session, was it? Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) grabbed pole for the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Portugal with a 1:37.556 in a relentless MotoGP Q2 that saw Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) earn a first front row start of the season in P2. Third place went the way of Q1 graduate Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP #20), who once again pulled a rabbit out of the hat in qualifying trim.

Moto2

With a late rain shower during Moto2 Practice, the standings were decided before the chequered flag as Aron Canet (Fantic Racing #44) topped the order. Getting out early, the Spaniard was able to sport a 0.192s lead ahead of the opposition and lead the charge into Saturday.

The Moto2 title was on the line this weekend, and Championship leader Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team #10) put himself in a prime position for that first match point. He took pole in Portugal ahead of Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team #96) and rookie Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo #95).

Moto3

David Almansa (Leopard Racing #22) was the Moto3 pacesetter heading into Saturday’s action in Portugal after his 1:47.056 was good enough to see the Malaysian GP podium finisher beat the Malaysian GP winner, Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia #72), by 0.135s. A flurry of personal best lap times before the rain fell saw Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team #28) complete the top three.

Australian Joel Kelso (LEVELUP-MTA #66) claimed a ninth front row of 2025 and a second pole in the last three Grands Prix with a stunner in Portugal. He denied Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power #19), who put in a late charge to start second, with Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI #36) rounding out the front row. It was a closely fought session, with 16 riders covered by less than a second.

Saturday
Tissot Sprint

Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) vs Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). It was the sky blue of Marquez that edged the blazing orange of Acosta in a barnstorming Saturday showdown that will live long in the memory. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing #72) had the perfect view – and a big say – as the polesitter finished just 0.5s from victory in a spectacular Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Portugal Tissot Sprint.

Bezzecchi launched perfectly from pole to grab the holeshot, with Acosta holding P2 ahead of a lightning-fast start from Marquez, who jumped two places as Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team #1) slipped to fourth and fifth.

By Lap 2, Bezzecchi had Acosta glued to his rear wheel, and the rookie sensation made his move into Turn 1 to hit the front. Marquez was next to strike, copying Acosta’s move on Lap 3 to take second, as the leading trio broke 1.5s clear of Quartararo, Bagnaia and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team #49).

Lap 4 claimed Nicolo Bulega (Ducati Lenovo Team #11) at Turn 13, while Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol #36) was forced to retire soon after. Up front, Marquez attacked again, and the duel that followed was breathtaking. Acosta briefly reclaimed the lead at Turn 5, only for Marquez to counter with a clean run out of the final corner to retake P1 into Turn 1.

The pair traded blows again as Bezzecchi hovered menacingly behind, ready to pounce. But with three laps to go, Marquez found an extra gear, stretching a slender 0.4s gap heading onto the final lap. Acosta dug deep, closing right up, but the Gresini man held firm to win by just 0.120s, with Bezzecchi third, half a second adrift.

Quartararo secured P4 to round off a strong showing for Yamaha, with Di Giannantonio completing the top five – a thrilling Sprint that showed MotoGP at its absolute best.

“I was feeling really good, and at the last corner, our acceleration was really good so I was able to attack at that point. It’s true that I used too much tyre in that point to overtake, but that was my plan. The plan was perfect,” Marquez stated.

Tissot Sprint Race Results

1. Alex Marquez BK8 Gresini Ducati)
2. Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM (+0.120s)
3. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing (+0.637s)
4. Fabio Quartararo Monster Yamaha (+5.276s)
5. Fabio Di Giannantonio Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+6.088s)

Sunday
MotoGP

It was perfection from start to finish for Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing #72), who led every one of the 25 laps at the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Portugal. The victory moves him comfortably clear in the battle for third overall in the Championship, with only a handful of points needed to secure it next week in Valencia. Behind him, Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #73) held off a late surge from Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing #37), reshuffling the podium from Saturday’s Sprint.

Acosta had a lightning start but couldn’t overcome Bezzecchi, who grabbed the holeshot from pole. Marquez mirrored his Sprint start to climb into third, while drama unfolded further back. Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team #21) was caught in a bundle at Turn 5 but escaped unscathed. On Lap 2, Marquez moved past Acosta into second and began chasing the leader, while Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol #36) retired with another technical issue.

Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team #1) ran fourth until crashing at Turn 10 on Lap 11, handing the position to rookie Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #54), who had earlier made a bold Turn 5 pass on Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing #33). Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP #20) battled hard in fifth but ultimately ceded positions to Aldeguer and Binder.

At the front, Bezzecchi steadily extended his advantage, reaching 2.2s over Marquez by Lap 15. Acosta was 2.4s further back, holding a comfortable margin over Aldeguer and Binder. In the closing stages, Acosta found a late burst, reducing Marquez’s lead to just one second with two laps remaining, but couldn’t mount a final challenge.

Further back, Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team #79) passed Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR #5) for seventh, with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team #49) taking eighth.

Bezzecchi’s commanding ride from lights to flag secured a majestic victory, becoming the sixth different winner in as many Grands Prix and giving Aprilia a historic third win of 2025 – the first time the manufacturer has claimed three wins in a single season. Marquez and Acosta completed the podium, with Aldeguer fourth ahead of Binder and Quartararo.

“Very happy, it was a fantastic race for me. This morning I felt better, and yesterday evening we worked a lot in the box to try to find that last step that was missed. I was super afraid of Pedro and Alex because yesterday they were super quick, but I was also very motivated to try to get a win. It’s super important to be back on the top of the podium,” Bezzecchi said.

MotoGP Race Results

1. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing
2. Alex Marquez BK8 Gresini Ducati (+2.583s)
3. Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM (+3.188s)
4. Fermin Aldeguer BK8 Gresini Ducati (+12.860s)
5. Brad Binder Red Bull KTM (+16.327s)

Check out the full MotoGP race results here…

MotoGP Championship Points

1. Marc Marquez BK8 Gresini Ducati – 545
2. Alex Marquez Ducati Lenovo – 445
3. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing – 323
4. Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo – 288
5. Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM – 285

Moto2

A champion’s performance from Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team #21) saw the Brazilian move decisively towards the Moto2 World Championship with a superb victory at Portimão. The points gap heading to Valencia is now 24 in Moreira’s favour after Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #18) finished sixth, leaving the odds firmly stacked for the Brazilian. Completing the podium were two rising stars: Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo #49) claimed his first Moto2 rostrum in P2, with David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team #80) taking his third straight podium in P3.

From pole, Moreira needed a win or second to strengthen his title bid and executed a perfect start to grab the holeshot ahead of Veijer. Gonzalez was sixth on the opening lap, while Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team #96) dropped to third. Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing #7), third in the standings, lost several positions after sitting up at Turn 1, falling to P11.

By Lap 3, the top six – Moreira, Gonzalez, Veijer, Dixon, Celestino Vietti (Beta Tools SpeedRS Team #13) and Alonso – were tightly bunched. Veijer led briefly into Turn 1 on Lap 4, but Moreira regained control, putting pressure on the rookie, while Gonzalez struggled following a dramatic moment at Turn 5 on Lap 5 and dropped to P7. Aron Canet (Fantic Racing #44) moved past Gonzalez and Dixon to push into podium contention.

With five laps to go, Moreira was closing in on Veijer, Alonso 0.8s behind and Canet in fourth. Turn 11, with two and a half laps remaining, saw Moreira make a decisive move up the inside of Veijer to reclaim P1, opening a 24-point advantage in the championship fight.

The last lap saw Dixon crash out from P7, leaving Moreira unchallenged. Veijer took second, Alonso third, Canet fourth and Baltus fifth. With the Fantic duo and Dixon now out of title contention, the championship will come down to Moreira vs Gonzalez in Valencia. Fantic can celebrate the Moto2 Teams’ title, thanks to strong rides from Baltus and Canet.

Moreira’s flawless win under pressure sets him up in ideal fashion for next weekend’s showdown, while Gonzalez will hope for a miracle to close the gap at the season finale.

Moto2 Race Results

1. Diogo Moreira Italtrans Racing Team
2. Collin Veijer Red Bull KTM Ajo (+0.090s)
3. David Alonso CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team (+0.492s)
4. Aron Canet Fantic Racing (+0.992s)
5. Barry Baltus Fantic Racing (+5.214s)

Moto2 Championship Points

1. Diogo Moreira Italtrans Racing Team – 281
2. Manuel Gonzalez Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 257
3. Barry Baltus Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 232
4. Aron Canet Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 226
5. Jake Dixon Elf Marc VDS Racing – 215

Moto3

The penultimate Moto3 showdown of the season saw a superstar performance from Max Quiles (CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team) as he escaped the group to cross the line over a second clear. Angel Piqueras (QJMotor – FRINSA – MSI) put up a huge fight for second and secured it, limiting the damage as he fights for second overall in the Championship. Malaysian GP winner Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) completed the podium, taking back-to-back rostrum finishes for the first time in his career.

Off the line it was a dream start for Joel Kelso (LEVELUP – MTA) as he led Quiles early on, but the group remained close. On Lap 3, Joel Esteban (Red Bull KTM Ajo #78) was able to attack into second before having a twitch at the final corner, with the resulting reaction seeing Quiles then drop down to sixth as the slipstream effect down the straight made it all change again behind Kelso.

The Australian led the way for the first half of the race, keeping some tenths in hand, but on Lap 10 he was wide at Turn 5, and the door was open for Quiles and Piqueras. Kelso slotted into third, but the battle was hotting up, and it was soon several riders wide as they jostled for position. As the dust started to settle again, Quiles led Furusato as Piqueras was left scrambling for position in the group. But the #36 hung on to move back into third and then second by Turn 1 on the penultimate lap.

Onto the final lap, Quiles had time in hand over Piqueras, who likewise had just enough over Furusato. They crossed the line in that order as the fight behind took its final shuffle, with Esteban next up as he managed to just stay ahead of rookie teammate Alvaro Carpe.

Moto3 Race Results

1. Maximo Quiles CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team
2. Angel Piqueras FRINSA -MT Helmets – MSI (+1.663s)
3. Taiyo Furusato Honda Team Asia (+2.886s)
4. Joel Esteban Red Bull KTM Tech3 (+3.243s)
5. Alvaro Carpe Red Bull KTM Ajo (+3.537s)

Moto3 Championship Points

1. Jose Antonio Rueda Red Bull KTM Ajo – 365
2. Angel Piqueras FRINSA – MT Helmets – 271
3. Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team – 263
4. David Munoz Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 197
5. Alvaro Carpe Red Bull KTM Ajo – 195

MotoE

It was title-decider day in the final ever MotoE season – and it did not disappoint! Fans were treated to two thrilling races at the Portuguese GP, where Alessandro Zaccone (Aruba Cloud MotoE Team) ultimately clinched the electric class crown in Portimão.

Arriving as the Championship leader, the Italian could hardly have asked for a better start, converting pole position into a hard-fought Race 1 victory ahead of Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) and Jacopo Hosciuc (MSI Racing Team). That triumph gave him a commanding 17-point advantage heading into the second lights-out of the day.

With the title within reach, the mission was simple: finish P7 or better. In the end, a composed ride to P4 was enough for Zaccone to seal the deal and secure the crown. Up front, Mattia Casadei (LCR E-Team) pushed hard to keep his title hopes alive, but Oscar Gutierrez (MSI Racing Team) snatched victory by just 0.098s, with Nicholas Spinelli (Rivacold Snipers Team MotoE) completing the podium. It proved an emotional and electric final day of the MotoE season.

MotoE Race 1 Results

1. Alessandro Zaccone Aruba Cloud MotoE Team
2. Eric Granado LCR E-Team (+0.105s)
3. Jocopo Hosciuc MSI Racing Team (+0.185s)
4. Mattia Casadei LCR E-Team (+0.740s)
5. Lorenzo Baldassarri Dynavolt Intact GP (+1.718s)

MotoE Race 2 Results

1. Oscar Gutierrez MSI Racing Team
2. Mattia Casadei LCR E-Team (+0.098s)
3. Nicholas Spinelli Rivacold Snipers Team MotoE (+1.281s)
4. Alessandro Zaccone Aruba Cloud MotoE Team (+2.105s)
5. Hector Garzo Dynavolt Intact GP (+4.521s)

MotoE Championship Points

1. Alessandro Zaccone Aruba Cloud MotoE Team – 198
2. Mattia Casadei LCR E-Team – 188
3. Matteo Ferrari Felo Gresini MotoE – 168
4. Eric Granado LCR E-Team – 162
5. Nicholas Spinelli Rivacold Snipers Team MotoE – 159

How Did the Aussies Do?

Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP ace Jack Miller (#43) finished the Sprint race in 14th place after advancing through Q1. He then followed that up with a 12th in the main race, in a bout where he struggled severely with grip.

Senna Agius (#81) made a strong start to the weekend, finishing third in FP1 and fifth in Friday afternoon’s practice. The Australian then qualified 13th and remained hopeful of a solid result. In the race, Agius ultimately claimed P9 – a result he was content with despite showing rapid pace, as a poor start ultimately cost him a better finish.

Joel Kelso produced a superb performance to secure pole position at Portimão, topping the timesheets with a composed and confident display. After starting from pole, Kelso brought his machine home in seventh at Portimão, as he fought hard but struggled with tyre wear in the latter stages.

Jacob Roulstone (#12) was forced to miss the Portuguese GP after undergoing successful surgery on his fractured left hand that occurred in Malaysia. The Australian will now focus on his recovery, with the goal of returning to action for the season finale in Valencia.

The post MotoGP 2025 Round 21 Report | Bezzecchi reigns supreme in Portimao appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

Friday Practice and Saturday Qualifying
MotoGP

How about that for a MotoGP Practice outing? Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing #37) delivered the goods on Friday to set the pace with a 1:57.559 as the #37 beat Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR #5) by 0.019s, while Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP #43) rounded out the top three in an unpredictable session. Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #73) squeezed into Q2 despite a second crash of the day, but our last three Grand Prix winners – Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team #63), Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #54) and Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team #25) – would face Q1. Oh, and so did Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing).

Casting his Indonesia and Australia woes to one side, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) did it the hard way to grab pole at the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia, coming through Q1 to the top of the pile. Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) missed out on pole by 0.016s, whilst Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team #21) made it a Ducati front-row lockout just one week on from the factory’s 98-race front-row streak coming to an end. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing #72), meanwhile, failed to make it out of Q1 and started P14.

Moto2

With the sun coming out for Moto2 Practice, it was Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #18) who ended Friday on top. Moving up to P1 with less than five minutes to go, ‘Manugas’ was hoping it would be the start of a strong weekend, where he aimed to extend his Championship lead after it’d been whittled down in recent rounds by Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team #10); the Brazilian joined his title rival in Q2 directly, finishing in P10, with Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team #96) and Albert Arenas (ITALJET Gresini Moto2 #75) completing the top three.

Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO RCB Aspar Team #27) started the Moto2 Malaysian GP from pole position after setting a late, scintillating new lap record to head the field by over half a second. The rookie’s sublime 2:02.858 was by far the best lap of a mouthwatering Q2 that saw the tension between title contenders Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) and Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) ramp up as they diced on track.

Moto3

World Champion Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo #99) headed into the weekend as the rider to beat in Moto3 after the #99 topped a delayed Practice on Friday afternoon. Rueda’s 2:11.152 was top but only 0.035s quicker than his rookie teammate and second-fastest rider Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo #83), with him enjoying a perfect start to the Malaysian GP.

Rocketing to a second pole of 2025, David Almansa (Leopard Racing #22) left it until his final flying lap to deliver the goods at Sepang on Saturday. Still chasing his first podium, he’d have Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia #72) right next to him for the first time in over a year, whilst Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) lined up third.

Saturday
Tissot Sprint

There was simply no stopping Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) on Saturday at the PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia. The reigning double World Champion was untouchable as he converted pole position into a commanding Tissot Sprint victory, finishing 2.2 seconds clear of Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP). The result sealed second place in the championship for the #73, securing a historic Marquez brothers 1-2 overall. It was also a day of celebration for the BK8 Gresini Racing team, as Fermin Aldeguer claimed Rookie of the Year honours for 2025 thanks to a strong P3 finish – even though a post-race tyre pressure penalty later cost him the podium spot on paper.

From pole, Bagnaia nailed his launch to lead into Turn 1. As ever, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) rocketed off the line to grab an early third, while Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) fought back from a sluggish getaway to end the opening lap in fourth after a fierce scrap with Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP #20). Further back, Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol #36) and Aldeguer provided early fireworks, the 2020 World Champion eventually taking fourth by the end of Lap 1. But at the front, Bagnaia was already stretching clear. By Lap 3, his lead was a second over Marquez and growing rapidly as he lapped half a second faster than the chasing trio.

Mir’s hopes of a podium ended abruptly with a crash at Turn 9, promoting Aldeguer to fourth and into podium contention. The rookie showed blistering pace, reeling in Acosta by more than half a second a lap. With three laps remaining, Aldeguer made a clean pass at Turn 9 to grab third and secure his Rookie of the Year title. Honda’s afternoon took another hit when Luca Marini crashed at Turn 14 after contact with Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Tech3 #44).

Up front, Bagnaia remained flawless to take a lights-to-flag win ahead of Marquez, with Aldeguer crossing the line in third before his penalty promoted Acosta to the final podium spot. Morbidelli finished a solid P5 behind Quartararo, rounding out a strong top five at Sepang.

“I’m happy, the team is deserving of these results because I think I’m in trouble, but they are in trouble too to understand the situation. It’s not clear, it’s not easy – one week ago we were struggling, yesterday I was struggling a bit, and today I was competitive,” Bagnaia insisted.

Tissot Sprint Race Results

1. Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo
2. Alex Marquez BK8 Gresini Ducati (+2.259s)
3. Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM (+5.155s)
4. Franco Morbidelli Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+6.541s)
5. Fabio Quartararo Monster Yamaha (+8.468s)

Sunday
MotoGP

After sealing second place in the MotoGP World Championship on Saturday, Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) capped off a stellar weekend with a commanding victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix. The Spaniard produced a flawless ride to beat Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) by 2.6 seconds, while a late issue for Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) handed Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) a welcome P3 at Sepang.

Just like in the Sprint, Bagnaia launched perfectly to grab the holeshot, with Acosta slotting into second. But Marquez wasted no time – first dispatching Acosta at Turn 4, then overtaking Bagnaia a lap later with a decisive inside move. For the first time all weekend, the #63 Ducati wasn’t leading.

Read our other MotoGP reports here…

Acosta and Bagnaia exchanged blows in a thrilling early duel, their battle allowing Marquez to stretch his lead to nearly a second. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) ran fourth, closely followed by Mir, while Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) trailed just behind.

On Lap 10, Mir finally found a way past Quartararo to move into P4, setting his sights on the podium battle 2.7s up the road. Tyre management was becoming critical as the race entered its second half. Drama struck on Lap 12 when Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) and Miguel Oliveira (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP #88) both crashed out. Up front, Marquez continued to pull clear, half a second per lap faster than his rivals. Acosta finally made a move stick on Bagnaia at Turn 11, while the Italian began to struggle on his medium front tyre.

Marquez was relentless, clocking a 2:00.546 on Lap 14 to extend his advantage beyond two seconds. Mir’s charge continued in fourth, while Morbidelli’s late pace hinted he wasn’t done yet either. The closing laps brought heartbreak for Ducati. Fermin Aldeguer crashed at the final corner, and moments later, Bagnaia suffered a technical issue, slowing dramatically and eventually retiring – a cruel end to an otherwise strong weekend.

Marquez cruised home 2.8s ahead of Acosta to claim his first win outside Spain. Acosta delivered another outstanding podium for KTM, finishing comfortably ahead of Mir, who secured Honda HRC Castrol’s second Sunday podium of the season. Morbidelli showed strong late-race pace to finish P4, while Quartararo completed the top five after a close Turn 15 battle with the VR46 rider.

“We started suffering a lot with two crashes on Friday, and later on the feeling was not really perfect, but today the strategy was clever,” Marquez explained.

“The strategy was the winning one, I was really clever at the point to make the move [on Bagnaia] and to be aggressive in that moment of the race, because I knew it was tricky. I lost one race here two years ago [by] waiting too much, so I just tried to go for it. It’s a really important win for us to celebrate second [in the championship].”

MotoGP Race Results

1. Alex Marquez BK8 Gresini Ducati
2. Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM (+2.676s)
3. Joan Mir Honda HRC Castrol (+8.048s
4. Franco Morbidelli Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+8.580s)
5. Fabio Quartararo Monster Yamaha (+11.556s)

Check out the full MotoGP race results here…

MotoGP Championship Points

1. Marc Marquez BK8 Gresini Ducati – 545
2. Alex Marquez Ducati Lenovo – 413
3. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing – 291
4. Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo – 286
5. Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM – 260

Moto2

A dramatic Moto2 Malaysian Grand Prix ended with victory for Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team), who mastered the restarted race at Sepang to take his third win of the season. The Brit hit the front on Lap 3 of the restart and never looked back, finishing ahead of David Alonso (CFMOTO RCB Aspar Team #80) and Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing #7). The result also reshaped the title fight as Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) crashed out from a top-five position, allowing Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) to claim fifth and move nine points clear in the standings.

The original race began with a perfect launch from Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO RCB Aspar Team), but chaos unfolded when Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team #16) crashed at Turn 5, bringing out the red flag. Roberts walked away unhurt, but the race was shortened to an 11-lap sprint.

Holgado repeated his lightning start in the restart, with Dixon locked in an intense early fight with Albert Arenas (ITALJET Gresini Moto2). By Turn 14, the #96 had powered through to second, and a lap later at Turn 4, Dixon dived past Holgado to take control. From there, the Brit set a relentless pace, stretching his lead as Gonzalez and Baltus fought hard behind.

Further back, Moreira was climbing the order after contact with Izan Guevara (BLUCRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 #28) while battling for ninth. With four laps to go, he had moved to sixth and was closing fast on Arenas. But disaster struck for Gonzalez with three laps remaining – the Spaniard crashed at Turn 15, surrendering his championship lead and giving Moreira a clear path to fifth.

At the flag, Dixon took his seventh career Moto2 win, with Alonso claiming a fourth podium of the year and Baltus third, keeping both riders mathematically in title contention. Holgado finished fourth, reinforcing his Rookie of the Year credentials, while Moreira’s fifth was enough to hand him the championship lead heading into the final two rounds.

Moto2 Race Results

1. Jake Dixon Elf Marc VDS Racing
2. David Alonso CFMOTO RCB Aspar Team (+2.035s)
3. Barry Baltus Fantic Racing (+2.745s)
4. Daniel Holgado CFMOTO RCB Aspar Team (+4.358s)
5. Diogo Moreira Italtrans Racing Team (+5.672s)

Moto2 Championship Points

1. Diogo Moreira Italtrans Racing Team – 256
2. Manuel Gonzalez Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 247
3. Barry Baltus Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 221
4. Jake Dixon Elf Marc VDS Racing – 215
5. Aron Canet Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 213

Moto3

The Moto3 Malaysian Grand Prix was delayed following a serious incident on the sighting lap involving Noah Dettwiler (CIP Green Power #55) and Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Both riders were airlifted to hospital in Kuala Lumpur, prompting the start to be postponed until the medical helicopter returned.

Rueda was later confirmed to be awake and alert, suffering several contusions and a suspected hand fracture. Dettwiler’s team released a statement confirming the Swiss rider had sustained serious injuries requiring multiple surgeries, adding: “He is in good hands, and we kindly ask you to respect his privacy. We will not be sharing further details at this time. Noah is a true fighter, and the entire CIP Green Power team is right behind him. We will keep you updated as soon as possible.”

When racing finally got underway, Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) claimed a stunning first career victory, leading from start to finish in the shortened 10-lap contest. Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI #36) and Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing #31) completed the podium in a thrilling scrap behind the dominant Japanese rider.

From the start, Furusato seized the holeshot, with polesitter David Almansa (Leopard Racing) and Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team #28) in close pursuit. Almansa briefly reclaimed the lead on Lap 3, but Furusato quickly struck back, establishing a one-second cushion by mid-race distance.

Behind him, Guido Pini (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP), Quiles and Fernandez traded positions in a fierce battle for the remaining podium spots. Fernandez carved through the pack to second, while Pini’s later fall at Turn 15 ended his hopes of a rostrum finish. Almansa also ran wide at the final corner on Lap 8, slipping down to sixth.

As Furusato pulled clear, Piqueras capitalised on a late mistake from Fernandez at Turn 9 to secure second place. The Honda rider crossed the line 1.2 seconds behind Furusato, with Fernandez completing the rostrum. Almansa recovered to fourth, making it three Hondas in the top four, while Ryusei Yamanaka (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI #6) finished fifth ahead of Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo).

Moto3 Race Results

1. Taiyo Furusato Honda Team Asia
2. Angel Piqueras FRINSA -MT Helmets – MSI (+2.259s)
3. Adrian Fernandez Leopard Racing (+2.625s)
4. David Almansa Leopard Racing (+4.167s)
5. Ryusei Yamanaka FRINSA -MT Helmets – MSI (+4.338s)

Moto3 Championship Points

1. Jose Antonio Rueda Red Bull KTM Ajo – 365
2. Angel Piqueras FRINSA – MT Helmets – 251
3. Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team – 237
4. David Munoz Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 197
5. Joel Kelso LEVELUP – MTA – 183

How Did the Aussies Do?

Caught in some early chaos, Jack Miller dropped to 15th on the opening lap of the Sprint. After battling through the early laps, he settled into a groove and finished 14th. Miller then backed this up with a solid 14th in the main dance as well aboard his Prima Pramac Yamaha on a weekend where he dealt with grip issues throughout.

Senna Agius (#81) endured a disappointing weekend at the office, for he was forced to retire on lap six with engine failure after starting 23rd. It was a tough blow following his brilliant win at the Australian Grand Prix, but he’ll have a chance to bounce back in two weeks.

Following a 10th-place qualifying result, Kelso (#66) could manage only 12th in the race after admitting he had to run a tyre that didn’t favour him for the 10-lap sprint. The Malaysian GP weekend didn’t go to plan at all for Jacob Roulstone (#12). After a practice crash, checks revealed a left-hand fracture, which is a cruel blow for the talented youngster.

The post MotoGP 2025 Round 20 Report | Alex Marquez clinches Sepang victory appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

Friday Practice and Saturday Qualifying
MotoGP

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

Read our previous MotoGP reports here…

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

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

Moto2

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

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

Moto3

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

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

Saturday
Tissot Sprint

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tissot Sprint Race Results

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

Sunday
MotoGP

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MotoGP Race Results

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

Check out the full MotoGP race results here…

MotoGP Championship Points

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

Moto2

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

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

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

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

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

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

Moto2 Race Results

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

Moto2 Championship Points

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

Moto3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Moto3 Race Results

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

Moto3 Championship Points

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

How Did the Aussies Do?

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

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

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

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

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

The post MotoGP Round 19 2025 Report | Agius Wins, Kelso Podiums, Fernandez Triumphs! appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

Friday Practice and Saturday Qualifying
MotoGP

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

Read our previous MotoGP reports here… 

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

Moto2

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

Moto3

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

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

Saturday
Tissot Sprint

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

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

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

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

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

Tissot Sprint Race Results

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

Sunday
MotoGP

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MotoGP Race Results

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

Check out the full MotoGP race results here…

MotoGP Championship Points

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

Moto2

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

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

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

Moto2 Race Results

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

Moto2 Championship Points

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

Moto3

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

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

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

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

Moto3 Race Results

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

Moto3 Championship Points

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

How Did the Aussies Do?

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

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

The post MotoGP Round 17 2025 Report | Pecco Bagnaia secures double, MM#93 World Champ! appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

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.

Read our previous MotoGP reports here…

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

1. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing
2. Alex Marquez BK8 Gresini Ducati (+1.000s)
3. Fabio Di Giannantonio Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+2.551s)
4. Franco Morbidelli Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+3.526s)
5. 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.

MotoGP Race Results

1. Marc Marquez Ducati Lenovo
2. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing (+0.568s)
3. Alex Marquez BK8 Gresini Ducati (+7.734s)
4. Franco Morbidelli Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+10.379s)
5. Fabio Di Giannantonio Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+11.330s)

Check out the full MotoGP race results here…

MotoGP Championship Points

1. Marc Marquez BK8 Gresini Ducati – 512
2. Alex Marquez Ducati Lenovo – 330
3. Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo – 237
4. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing – 229
5. Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM – 188

Moto2

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

1. Celestino Vietti Beta Tools SpeedRS
2. Barry Baltus Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO (+0.747s)
3. Daniel Holgado CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team (+3.911s)
4. Diogo Moreira Italtrans Racing Team (+4.246s)
5. Senna Agius Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP (K+7.973s)

Moto2 Championship Points

1. Manuel Gonzalez Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 227
2. Diogo Moreira Italtrans Racing Team – 188
3. Aron Canet Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 188
4. Barry Baltus Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 173
5. 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

1. Jose Antonio Rueda Red Bull KTM Ajo
2. Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team (+0.113s)
3. Adrian Fernandez Leopard Racing (+0.117s)
4. Joel Kelso LEVELUP – MTA (+0.164s)
5. Angel Piqueras FRINSA -MT Helmets – MSI (+0.456s)

Moto3 Championship Points

1. Jose Antonio Rueda Red Bull KTM Ajo – 295
2. Angel Piqueras FRINSA – MT Helmets – 217
3. Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team – 188
4. David Munoz Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 172
5. 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

1. Alessandro Zaccone Aruba Cloud MotoE Team
2. Nicholas Spinelli Rivacold Snipers Team MotoE (+0.170s)
3. Andrea Mantovani KLINT Forward Factory Team (+0.882s)
4. Eric Granado LCR E-Team (+1.162s)
5. Matteo Ferrari Felo Gresini MotoE (+1.832s)

MotoE Race 2 Results

1. Matteo Ferrari Felo Gresini MotoE
2. Eric Granado LCR E-Team (+0.082s)
3. Mattia Casadei LCR E-Team (+0.173s)
4. Alessandro Zaccone Aruba Cloud MotoE Team (+0.420s)
5. Kevin Zannoni – Power Electronics Aspar Team (+0.732s)

MotoE Championship Points

1. Alessandro Zaccone Aruba Cloud MotoE Team – 160
2. Mattia Casadei LCR E-Team – 155
3. Matteo Ferrari Felo Gresini MotoE – 148
4. Lorenzo Baldassarri Dynavolt Intact GP – 148
5. 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.

The post MotoGP Round 16 2025 Report | Marc Marquez holds off Bezzecchi at Misano appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

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.

Read our previous MotoGP articles here…

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.

Full practice and qualifying results, click here…

Saturday
Tissot Sprint

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.”

Tissot Sprint Race Results

1. Marc Marquez Ducati Lenovo
2. Fabio Di Giannantonio Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+2.095s)
3. Franco Morbidelli Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+3.595s)
4. Luca Marini Honda HRC Castrol (+4.890s)
5. 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.

MotoGP Race Results

1. Marc Marquez Ducati Lenovo
2. Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM (+4.314s)
3. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing (+7.488s)
4. Jorge Martin Aprilia Racing (+11.069s)
5. Luca Marini Honda HRC Castrol (+11.904s)

Check out the full MotoGP race results here…

MotoGP Championship Points

1. Marc Marquez BK8 Gresini Ducati – 455
2. Alex Marquez Ducati Lenovo – 280
3. Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo – 228
4. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing – 197
5. Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM – 164

Moto2

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.

Moto2 Race Results

1. David Alonso CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team
2. Diogo Moreira Italtrans Racing Team (+0.174s)
3. Manuel Gonzalez Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP (+0.305s)
4. Jake Dixon Elf Marc VDS Racing (+0.876s)
5. Collin Veijer Red Bull KTM Ajo (+1.344s)

Moto2 Championship Points

1. Manuel Gonzalez Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 204
2. Aron Canet Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 179
3. Diogo Moreira Italtrans Racing Team – 173
4. Barry Baltus Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 147
5. 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.

Moto3 Race Results

1. Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team
2. Valentin Perrone Red Bull KTM Tech3 (+0.018s)
3. David Munoz Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP (+0.858s)
4. Angel Piqueras FRINSA -MT Helmets – MSI (+0.952s)
5. Jose Antonio Rueda Red Bull KTM Ajo (+1.362s)

Moto3 Championship Points

1. Jose Antonio Rueda Red Bull KTM Ajo – 250
2. Angel Piqueras FRINSA – MT Helmets – 181
3. Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team – 164
4. David Munoz Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 155
5. 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

1. Mattia Casadei LCR E-Team
2. Lorenzo Baldassarri Dynavolt Intact GP (+0.106s)
3. Eric Granado LCR E-Team (+0.790s)
4. Matteo Ferrari Felo Gresini MotoE (+1.543s)
5. Alessandro Zaccone Aruba Cloud MotoE Team (+2.289s)

MotoE Race 2 Results

1. Mattia Casadei LCR E-Team
2. Nicholas Spinelli Rivacold Snipers Team MotoE (+0.554s)
3. Matteo Ferrari Felo Gresini MotoE (+1.443s)
4. Lorenzo Baldassarri Dynavolt Intact GP (+1.932s)
5. Hector Garzo Dynavolt Intact GP (+2.151s)

MotoE Championship Points

1. Mattia Casadei LCR E-Team – 116
2. Lorenzo Baldassarri Dynavolt Intact GP – 102
3. Andrea Mantovani KLINT Forward Factory Team – 101
4. Alessandro Zaccone Aruba Cloud MotoE Team – 101
5. Matteo Ferrari Felo Gresini MotoE – 94

How Did the Aussies Do?

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.

The post MotoGP Round 14 2025 Report | Masterful Marquez extends unbeaten run appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

Friday Practice and Saturday Qualifying
MotoGP

It was Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team #93) who headed into Saturday’s compelling MotoGP action at the Tissot Grand Prix of Czechia at the summit after a very damp Friday afternoon Practice session. The championship leader set a 2:03.935 to lead Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR #5) by 0.469s, while Fabio Quartararo (#20) stuck his Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP in P3.

The storylines stretched further than the quickest trio, though, as reigning World Champion Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing #1) made an eye-catching return to finish P5.

Read our previous MotoGP race reports here…

Q1 to pole position equalled a great morning’s work for Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team #63) as the double MotoGP World Champion claimed his first pole of 2025. Late drama unfolded for his teammate Marc Marquez, but despite his final lap Turn 13 crash, the championship leader would launch from P2 on the grid as the factory Ducati duo were joined on the front row by Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP).

Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #73), the rider second in the standings, was forced to settle for a third-row start in the Tissot Sprint and Grand Prix, which was his worst qualifying of the season.

Moto2

Moto3 may have been dry, but the dark clouds rolled back into Brno, and the rain came in buckets for Moto2. Leading the charge into Saturday and with the top 14 locked in for Q2 following a fast stint when it was dry, Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team #16) hit the jackpot at the right time ahead of home hero Filip Salač (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team #12), with Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #18) pocketing a Friday top three.

Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego #7) went from Q1 to pole position at Brno, edging out Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing) by 0.020. Just to rub it in, the Belgian also set his lap behind the American. Roberts’ teammate Marcos Ramirez completed the front row, pushing Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) down to P4.

Moto3

Despite completing just four laps in FP1, later in the day Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo #83) came to play in a dry Practice at the Tissot Grand Prix of Czechia, fronting the Moto3 field with a 2:05.840. Teammate and championship leader Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo #99) was P2 and Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team #28) completed the top three, as a late lap from Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power #19) pushed title-hunting Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI #36) into Q1.

Moto3 was frantic as ever during qualifying; Guido Pini (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #94) took pole position to lead the charge into Sunday, ahead of Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in second and David Muñoz (Liqui MolyDynavolt Intact GP) in P3. Muñoz’s back-of-the-grid start meant it was David Almansa (Leopard Racing #22) who returned to the front row on the grid in P3.

Saturday
Tissot Sprint

It was the first-ever Tissot Sprint at Brno and a first pole start of 2025 for Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team).

Snatching the holeshot, Pecco led the way until Turn 3 when teammate Marc Marquez attacked and took over at the front. Elsewhere, a poor start from Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) left him down in 19th on Lap 1, whilst at Turn 3 on Lap 2, Augusto Fernandez (Yamaha Factory Racing Team #7) slid off and collected Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR #30), ending both their Sprints.

Into P3 on the second lap, Acosta got himself ahead of Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), whilst the Frenchman was rubbing fairings with Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing #72) at Turn 10. Meanwhile, Bez’s returning teammate, World Champion Jorge Martin, was up into P7 in the early stages.

At the end of Lap 4, Bastianini was capitalising on his strong weekend so far and into fourth and ahead of Quartararo, but the drama was further up the road. On the exit of Turn 4, Bagnaia slowed down and was passed by Acosta, Bastianini and Quartararo. A lap later and it could have been a replay – this time for Marc Marquez; the #93 likewise slowing down and letting Acosta through to let the #37 lead in his first outing at Brno.

Both the Ducatis were slowing down but got straight back on the pace after seemingly needing to control tyre pressures, but whatever it was, the last three laps had Acosta, Marc Marquez, Bastianini and Quartararo all in victory contention. Behind, Bezzecchi clambered ahead of Pecco at Turn 11, now into the top five, with Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team #25) next up.

On the penultimate lap, Bezzecchi worked his way into fourth ahead of Quartararo as his trademark late pace came to the fore.

Up at the front and on the direction change from Turn 8 into Turn 9, Marc Marquez pounced in what would prove to be a Sprint-winning pass on ‘El Tiburon’. Another success in the Sprint for the Championship leader, who extended his Championship advantage with a first Sprint podium for Acosta since Aragon 2024. Two KTMs on a Sprint podium underline their previous happy memories at Brno, and it was a first rostrum of the year for Bastianini. There was a small caveat on top of the podium with Marquez’s tyre pressure under investigation, but that was soon over, the win standing for Marc. Bezzecchi claimed P4 with Quartararo behind him.

“It’s true that it was super on the limit. We were riding comfortably, and then I saw that the tyre pressure was not enough. I tried to push some laps on the brakes, but it was too much risk to get that correct pressure, and then I decided to wait and be super close to Acosta to increase the temperature. When I saw the pressure was inside the rules, then I pushed the last two laps,” Marquez explained.

Tissot Sprint Race Results

1. Marc Marquez Ducati Lenovo
2. Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM (+0.798s)
3. Enea Bastianini Red Bull KTM Tech3 (+1.324s)
4. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing (+1.409s)
5. Fabio Quartararo Monster Yamaha (+2.292s)

Sunday
MotoGP

Sometimes, you just have to sit back and admire greatness. Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) emerged victorious on Sunday at the Tissot Grand Prix of Czechia to become the first Ducati rider to win five Grands Prix on the spin, but he was made to work for it in the first half of the battle. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) put up a good fight to collect P2, 1.7s away from victory, as Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) held off a late charge from Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) to pick up his first Sunday rostrum of the season.

Bagnaia punched off the line well and got the holeshot, but like yesterday, Marc Marquez was through at Turn 3. Not for long, though. On the cutback through Turn 4, Pecco led again, and then Bezzecchi carved his way past the #93 at Turn 5.

That’s how it was over the line, but Pecco was wide at the penultimate corner, costing him time, so that allowed Bezzecchi to make a move at Turn 1 on Lap 2. Marc Marquez, like he did on Lap 1, passed Pecco at Turn 3, and this time there was no way back for Pecco.

Meanwhile, Alex Marquez’s (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) disastrous weekend continued. The rider second in the championship was down at Turn 12 after an audacious move up the inside of Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol #36) didn’t pay off. The luckless Mir was taken out, and the Honda rider, along with Alex Marquez, were out of the Grand Prix from P5 and P6, so that was zero points in Czechia for the #73. A hammer blow for the Gresini star’s title hopes, and he’ll now face a Long Lap penalty in Austria too.

Further up the order, it was Acosta’s turn to pass Pecco at Turn 3 on Lap 3, as Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and then Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) carved their way past Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP). Next up behind Quartararo was returning reigning Champion Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing).

On Lap 5, Bastianini’s charge continued. The Italian was through on his former teammate Bagnaia, with the ‘Beast’ now 1.4s behind his KTM stablemate Acosta. But then, Bastianini was in the gravel. Turn 3 saw the #23 lose the front end, and it was Grand Prix over; a shame after his best weekend in orange.

Lap 8 saw a change for the lead. Marc Marquez, at Turn 3, pounced on Bezzecchi. And the #93 got his elbows out through Turn 4 to keep Bezzecchi behind him, so what did the championship leader have in his pocket? Acosta was right with the top two now, while Bagnaia sat 1.7s adrift of the podium fight.

A 1:54.184 played a 1:54.40 for Bezzecchi and a 1:54.50 for Acosta, seeing Marquez go 0.5s clear at the front at the start of Lap 10. A lap later, the gap was up to 0.8s, and then with a fastest lap of the Grand Prix, Marquez’s lead grew to 1.2s on Lap 12 of 21.

Bezzecchi was giving it a good go. Bezzecchi dipped into the 1:53s for the first time, a 1:53.999, but on the same lap, Lap 14, Marquez found a 1:53.787. And on the following lap, Marquez went even quicker. A 1:53.691, coupled with a 1:54.085 from Bezzecchi, saw the lead climb to 1.9s.

With Marquez giving no one a chance of fighting for the win, attention turned to the rostrum fight. Pecco was gathering some late race momentum, and from just under two seconds away, with three laps left, the Italian was 0.5s behind Acosta. That was then 0.4s with two laps to go, as Bezzecchi continued on his way to P2, 0.9s ahead.

And on the last lap, Pecco was within attacking distance… just. Marquez was 1.6s clear of Bezzecchi and controlling things at the front, with the latter safe from being pounced on from behind. Could Bagnaia muster something up to grab P3? The answer – fortunately for KTM, unfortunately for Ducati – was no.

The answer was also no to could anyone beat Marquez in Brno? The #93 took the chequered flag 1.7s ahead of Bezzecchi to become the first Ducati rider ever to win five Grands Prix in a row. Simply put: chapeau.

Fair play to Bezzecchi as well, that’s another Sunday podium for the #72, as Acosta held off Pecco to clinch his first Sunday podium of the season. Ducati, Aprilia and KTM on the Brno rostrum.

Pecco’s P4 won’t be enough for the polesitter, but he’ll take the positives following his second half of the race charge. Fifth place went to Fernandez, who enjoyed his best weekend of the season, and that P5 is his equal best in MotoGP.

“It has been a super first part of the season,” Marquez said. “Especially these last races, we made a step from the Aragon test. I feel better and better, and I am riding super good. Now it’s the summer break, but still 10 races to go, time to relax. But in Austria keep the same mentality with the same intensity.”

MotoGP Race Results

1. Marc Marquez Ducati Lenovo
2. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing (+1.753s)
3. Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM (+3.366s)
4. Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo (+3.879s)
5. Raul Fernandez Trackhouse Aprilia (+10.045s)

Check out the full MotoGP race results here…

MotoGP Championship Points

1. Marc Marquez BK8 Gresini Ducati – 381
2. Alex Marquez Ducati Lenovo – 261
3. Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo – 213
4. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing – 156
5. Fabio Di Giannantonio Pertamina Enduro VR46 Team LCR – 142

Moto2

At the venue where he claimed his debut Moto2 podium in 2020, Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) returned to the top step for the first time this season with a phenomenal Czech GP victory. The American fended off the hard challenge of Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) as the Belgian pocketed back-to-back P2s ahead of the summer break, with Manuel Gonzalez’s (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) P3 seeing the Spaniard stretch his title chase lead.

After things got close at lights out between polesitter Baltus and Roberts, it was the American’s teammate Marcos Ramirez who grabbed the holeshot as drama unfolded for Aron Canet (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego #44) at Turn 1. The Spaniard was down from the middle of the pack, and that was his hope of points over.

Baltus pinched the lead of the race at the end of Lap 1 with a great move at the final corner, as Ramirez took the first of his two Long Lap penalties on Lap 3. That dropped the #24 to P7 behind home hero Filip Salač (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team), and when he took his second, Ramirez was P12.

On Lap 6, both Canet and Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team #10) had parked their Triumph-Kalex machines, handing Gonzalez a fantastic chance to stretch his points advantage ahead of the summer break. And it was the Spaniard who was shadowing the P1 battle between Baltus and Roberts, with the Californian making a move stick on Lap 7 to lead in Brno.

By Lap 10, Roberts and Baltus were now pulling clear of Gonzalez, with the #16 setting the fastest lap of the race on that lap – a 1:59.4 played a 1:59.6 for Baltus. With five to go, the gap was still just 0.2s between the American and Belgian, but that rose to just under 0.4s with four laps left.

Gonzalez was 2.6s away from the victory fight, so it was all about Roberts vs Baltus. With two laps to go, Roberts was keeping Baltus at bay by 0.5s, with the latter not able to quite get close enough to attempt a pass. Then it was last lap time. The gap? 0.6s in Roberts’ favour. Baltus wasn’t close enough to engage in battle, and for the first time since the 2024 Italian GP, Roberts gets back on the top step. Baltus clinched his fourth second place of the season to rise to P3 in the overall standings, and Gonzalez collected a very handy 16 points in his quest for the Moto2 title.

Rookie Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team #27) earned an impressive P4 ahead of Celestino Vietti (Sync SpeedRS Team #13), with Izan Guevara (BLUCRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 #28) a solid P6 in Brno.

Moto2 Race Results

1. Joe Roberts OnlyFans American Racing Team
2. Barry Baltus Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO (+1.079s)
3. Manuel Gonzalez Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP (+3.625s)
4. Daniel Holgado CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team (+7.365s)
5. Celestino Vietti Sync SpeedRS (+7.494s)

Moto2 Championship Points

1. Manuel Gonzalez Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 188
2. Aron Canet Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 163
3. Barry Baltus Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 134
4. Diogo Moreira Italtrans Racing Team – 128
5. Jake Dixon Elf Marc VDS Racing – 119

Moto3

A record gap between P1 and P2 in the standings after 12 rounds is just what Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) ordered ahead of the summer break, and it’s what he came away with from his first visit to Brno. Behind, a battle between Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) and teammate Dennis Foggia (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team #71) lit up the group battle, with Quiles ultimately securing second ahead of David Muñoz (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP), who came from last on the grid to third for a third straight rostrum finish.

Storming into Turn 1 and grabbing the advantage, Championship leader Rueda edged out polesitter Guido Pini (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) and fellow front-row starter David Almansa (Leopard Racing). Quiles was soon up into P2 halfway through the first lap, while further behind, Muñoz had made a lightning getaway from the back of the grid and was already into the points. By the start of Lap 3, the Aragon and German GP winner was already inside the top ten, whilst 2020 Czech GP winner Foggia had clambered his way into the top three.

At the halfway stage, Rueda had begun to get the hammer down whilst Quiles and Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) battled for podium honours. Foggia was up to second, but the fight had left a second gap between the #99 out front and the chasing pack. By the end of Lap 9, Quiles was back into P2, but back-to-back fastest laps by Rueda meant the pressure was on for the #28.

The scrapping continued, and with five to go and a two-second gap to Rueda, it was very much a battle to decide the final two spots on the podium. Behind the duelling CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar machines came Piqueras, Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing), Muñoz and Almansa. Into the last lap, and Quiles led the way with Piqueras, Muñoz and Foggia nipping at his heels. At Turn 6, the #64 muscled his way into P3 and then P2 by Turn 10.

It was all coming down to Turn 13, but fantastic defensive work from Muñoz made it hard for Quiles. As Rueda took a seventh win of the season, Quiles managed to slipstream his way into second, while Muñoz’s last-to-third ride kept up his run of top five finishes and made it a fourth podium in five GPs. Piqueras’ wait for a rostrum return continued as he took P4, ahead of Foggia and Fernandez, the latter notably taking his first points since Le Mans.

Moto3 Race Results

1. Jose Antonio Rueda Red Bull KTM Ajo
2. Maximo Qulies CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team (+3.471s)
3. David Munoz Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP (+3.495s)
4. Angel Piqueras FRINSA -MT Helmets – MSI (+3.559s)
5. Dennis Foggia CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team (+3.689s)

Moto3 Championship Points

1. Jose Antonio Rueda Red Bull KTM Ajo – 228
2. Angel Piqueras FRINSA – MT Helmets – 143
3. Alvaro Carpe Red Bull KTM Ajo – 132
4. Maximo Qulies CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team – 126
5. David Munoz Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 123

How Did the Aussies Do?

Jack Miller (#43), starting 10th despite a late qualifying crash, had his Sprint compromised from the start. Stuck behind a struggling Alex Márquez off the line, he had to ease off the throttle, thus dropping him to 14th. He recovered to 12th by lap six of the 10-lap race.

Then, for the race, the Australian star admirably surged to eighth on lap one, holding steady behind Jorge Martin. But a late engine brake issue scuppered things for him, and he was passed by Binder, Aldeguer and Espargaro to ultimately claim 10th.

Having qualified sixth to earn his spot on the second row, Senna Agius (#81) frustratingly slipped back to 12th and continued to struggle for pace throughout the race. Despite putting up a valiant fight, 15th was the best he could muster to earn a point.

The 20-year-old now heads into the summer break seventh in the standings and ready to come out swinging when the season resumes.

The MotoGP round in the Czech Republic was one to forget for Aussie Moto3 ace Joel Kelso (#66), as a huge crash in qualifying, which resulted in a fractured right foot, forced him to sit out.

The upcoming three-week summer break does, however, give Kelso some crucial time to recover in his quest to be fit for the next round.

It was a tough Saturday for Jacob Roulstone (#12) in Brno. An engine issue in FP2 limited his track time, and his fastest lap in Q2 was cancelled due to a questionable yellow flag. A few laps late in the session left him starting from P15.

Despite a strong launch, the Red Bull KTM Tech3 talent’s struggles carried into the main dance, with persistent front-end issues preventing him from matching the pace with the frontrunners. Eventually crossing the line in 14th, Roulstone will now look to make gains at the upcoming test.

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