Sunday’s race at Motegi was extra than simply one other spherical on the calendar; it marked the conclusion of one of many sport’s best comeback tales. By ending second, Marc Márquez sealed the 2025 MotoGP world championship, capturing his seventh premier class title and ninth general championship. His journey again to the highest has been torturous: years of crashes, repeated surgical procedures and hypothesis about his capacity to ever return to his peak kind. However at Motegi, he made it clear, this was not only a comeback, however reclaiming a legacy.
Qualifying & Dash: Bagnaia Units the Tone
The weekend started with an announcement for Ducati. Francesco Bagnaia stormed to pole place, smashing the lap report with a time of 1:42.911.
In Saturday’s dash race, Bagnaia transformed that right into a commanding victory, ending round 1.8 seconds forward of teammate Márquez. The win was a lot wanted for Bagnaia after a comparatively poor season, and it additionally tightened the stress on Márquez’s title rivals. In the meantime, Alex Márquez, Marc’s closest rival, had a depressing time in Japan, ending tenth within the dash, successfully ending his title hopes.
Learn Extra: MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix: High 5 Best Races at Motegi
The Grand Prix: Bagnaia Dominates, however Márquez Is Simple
At lights out, Bagnaia received a pointy launch and secured the holeshot. He instantly pulled forward, with Pedro Acosta briefly slotting into second with Márquez holding third. By solely the second lap, Bagnaia had prolonged his lead, already setting a tempo that Márquez knew he didn’t must match, as second was sufficient for the massive prize.
Because the laps wore on, Márquez started to chip away at Acosta, ultimately passing him and settling him into second. Joan Mir, in a effective experience, hovered in behind and utilized stress. Bagnaia, nonetheless, had his personal issues regardless of being 4 seconds forward for a lot of the race. Puffs of smoke emanating from his bike drew concern and anxious seems from the pits, however he managed to maintain his composure and maintain onto his lead. With seven laps remaining, Márquez discovered himself in what was successfully the title-winning place, that means he might wind issues down, handle threat, and shield his factors lead.
The closing laps noticed Márquez keep a protected distance from Bagnaia and thoroughly nurse his tyres. In the meantime, Mir sealed a house podium for Honda with a composed efficiency. Crossing the road, Bagnaia took a well-earned victory, with Márquez following in 4.196 seconds behind. Mir claimed the ultimate spot on the rostrum, which was his first since 2021. After the chequered flag, Márquez paused to soak in a tribute video that his workforce had put collectively, a strong second reflecting on the whole lot he had endured to succeed in this level.
Learn Extra: Motogp San Marino GP: How Marc Márquez Edged Bezzecchi in an Epic Misano Battle
Full Race Outcomes
- Francesco Bagnaia – 42 minutes 9.312 seconds
- Marc Marquez – +4.196s
- Joan Mir – +6.858s
- Marco Bezzecchi – +10.128s
- Franco Morbidelli – +10.421s
- Alex Marquez – +14.544s
- Raul Fernandez – +17.588s
- Fabio Quartararo – +21.160s
- Johann Zarco – +21.733s
- Fermin Aldeguer – +23.107s
- Enea Bastianini – +23.616s
- Brad Binder – +23.882s
- Fabio Di Giannantonio – +29.359s
- Miguel Oliveira – +30.788s
- Somkiat Chantra – +30.990s
- Maverick Viñales – +31.712s
- Pedro Acosta – +34.157s
- Alex Rins – +34.792s
- Jack Miller – DNF
- Takaaki Nakagami – DNF
- Luca Marini – DNF
Significance & What Lies Forward
This race will probably be remembered not only for Bagnaia’s good weekend, however extra so for what it signifies for Marc Márquez. Six years had handed since he final donned the MotoGP crown. Now with this title, his seventh within the premier class and ninth general, he attracts stage with Valentino Rossi on the all-time listing and cements probably the most outstanding comebacks in motorsports historical past.
For Bagnaia, the win is an announcement; he has rediscovered his kind and confidence, and with teammate Márquez not below menace within the standings, he could now push tougher for race wins and pleasure within the remaining races.
As for the remainder of the riders, the battle for particular person race glory and podiums intensifies now that the title battle is settled. With nonetheless 5 rounds remaining, anticipate fierce contests, strategic gambles, and maybe a reshuffling of bragging rights within the paddock.
