PECCO BAGNAIA DOMINATES IN JAPAN TO WIN HIS FIRST SPRINT RACE OF THE SEASON
Francesco Bagnaia is back on top. The Ducati Lenovo Team’s double World Champion announced his return in style at Motegi, storming to his first Tissot Sprint victory of the season at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan. The Italian was untouchable as he crossed the line 1.8 seconds clear of teammate Marc Marquez, who in turn took a major step toward sealing the 2025 MotoGP crown.
With Alex Marquez only managing 10th and failing to score, the elder Marquez now has one hand firmly on the trophy. Meanwhile, after a turbulent day, rookie sensation Pedro Acosta salvaged third for KTM with another determined ride.
Bagnaia launched perfectly from pole, claiming the holeshot into Turn 1, while Joan Mir held second. Chaos erupted just behind as Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi and reigning Champion Jorge Martin crashed out. Replays confirmed Martin lost control on the brakes, sliding into the pack and collecting Bezzecchi in the process. Worse news followed for Martin: a broken collarbone means he will sit out Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix.
At the front, Acosta pounced on Marc Marquez to grab third, while Bagnaia ended Lap 1 with a 0.6s advantage. Alex Marquez, the only rider who can still deny his brother the title, sat in ninth. By Lap 2, Acosta was on the charge again, diving past Mir at Turn 5 to move into second.
Two consecutive fastest laps allowed Bagnaia to stretch his lead to 0.8s by the end of Lap 3, as Marc Marquez shadowed Mir in fourth. The Repsol Honda duo’s duel raged on until Lap 6, with Marquez twice trying and failing to muscle past his former teammate.
Up front, Pecco was in a class of his own, extending his advantage to 1.6s. Acosta circulated comfortably ahead of Mir, who was still holding off Marquez, with Franco Morbidelli maintaining fifth. Finally, with four laps to go, Marquez struck, an uncompromising block pass at Turn 10 forced Mir wide as the #93 snatched third. His next target: Acosta.
Three laps from the flag, Turn 10 once again became Marquez’s hunting ground. A precise move on Acosta put him up to second, as Alex Marquez slipped to tenth behind local hero Ai Ogura. The equation was simple: with nine more points gained, a repeat result on Sunday would seal Marc Marquez’s seventh premier-class crown.
Bagnaia took the final lap with a 2.4s cushion, delivering a dominant and faultless performance. The #63 was back to his brilliant best, claiming Sprint gold ahead of his teammate. Marquez’s second place all but confirmed his championship destiny, while Acosta clung on to third, fending off Mir by just 0.6s at the line.
Mir’s fourth capped an excellent day for HRC at home, while Morbidelli wrapped up the top five. Fabio Quartararo edged Luca Marini for sixth, followed by Raul Fernandez in eighth. Trackhouse’s Ai Ogura delighted the Motegi crowd with ninth, beating Alex Marquez to the final Sprint point.
As the dust settles, the title picture is clear: Marc Marquez needs only a P2 finish on Sunday to clinch the crown, regardless of what happens behind. For Alex Marquez, it’s now all or nothing, he must defeat his brother. A decisive Sunday awaits.
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