Nov 18, 2025 | MotoGP
Cold start, wet track
The first MotoGP test of 2026 in Valencia did not start until later in the day. Overnight rain and low temperatures made the asphalt slippery, requiring the track to dry first. Cornerworkers spent a long time trying to get the lines clear. Over a thousand spectators eventually saw the first action.
Aero experiments and new Yamaha V4
Many teams used the test to try out new aero packages. Yamaha deployed the new V4-powered YZR-M1 widely; the new machines were available to all their riders. KTM and Aprilia tested striking, unique body panels, including large covers around the front wheel that partially cover caliper and disc and should improve airflow behind the underfork.
Raul Fernandez grabbed the fastest time of the day. Marco Bezzecchi was close with the Aprilia RS-GP's new frontwing and finished second. Alex Marquez tried different bodywork combinations and finished third, just 0.084 seconds behind Fernandez.
- Raul Fernandez - fastest of the test
- Marco Bezzecchi - second, with new front wing design
- Alex Marquez - third, experimented with bodywork
- Maverick Viñales - sixth, at 0.247 seconds
- Joan Mir - fastest Honda, 12th
- Toprak Razgatlıoğlu - seventeenth/eighteenth on his official MotoGP debut, 1.294 seconds behind
- Diogo Moreira - 21st, 1.824 seconds behind
Rookies and mileage eaters
The newcomers did exactly what they needed to do: turn laps and get used to the MotoGP machine. Toprak Razgatlıoğlu rode 53 laps, while Diogo Moreira made 57. Both riders focused on consistency and basic setup rather than ultimate lap times.
What does this test say ahead?
It is early in the season, but the focus is clearly on aerodynamics and integrating the new Yamaha V4. Teams are collecting data and trying out parts that can make a difference in upcoming races. The test in Valencia gave particular insight into development direction and how much work remains to be done before the real battle begins.
Nov 17, 2025 | MotoGP
Bagnaia's bitter end
On Saturday, Francesco Bagnaia ran out of fuel in qualifying. This put him at the very back of the grid, increasing the likelihood of problems. Those problems came on Sunday: Johann Zarco tapped Bagnaia, causing him to slide out of the track and into the gravel. With that, his race was over and a difficult season ended on a painful note.
Aprilia breaks through at various circuits
Marco Bezzecchi won the Valencia race, with Raul Fernandez second. For Aprilia, it marked the third Grand Prix win in four races for riders on the RS-GP. Fernandez and Bezzecchi were previously fast in Australia and Portimao, circuits with long, flowing corners that suited the RS-GP's qualities well. That the Aprilia now also performs at the tight and slow Valencia shows that the machine has become more competitive on more types of circuits.
Speed was not only evident in the hands of Bezzecchi and Fernandez. Ai Ogura set the fastest time in practice on Saturday on the second Trackhouse Racing RS-GP. For the Fernandez family, the weekend was completed when Adrian Fernandez also won the Moto3 race.
Martin returns, but on restrictions
Jorge Martin made his comeback at Valencia. Since his injury in Japan, he had only ridden a scooter and his doctors gave him strict instructions: don't crash. Martin treated the weekend as a test and held back. Yet in the race he was only eight tenths slower than race winner and teammate Bezzecchi, before finishing the race early.
KTM struggles with rear wheel spin
KTM factory riders Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder reported that the RC16 continued to suffer from rear wheel spin at Valencia. This was clearly evident during practice sessions: Acosta left black streaks across the road surface at the kink of turn nine, while other machines kept grip and rode on. Binder said all KTMs at full lean had the rear wheel spinning, and that spin continued when riders put the bikes back vertical and pulled up. Acosta held firm against Fabio Di Giannantonio for a long time, but with two laps to go Di Giannantonio posted an overtaking move and took his second podium of the weekend.
End of MotoGP places for Chantra and Oliveira
Rookie Somkiat Chantra could never really settle down on the Honda RC213V, scoring just seven points this season. Miguel Oliveira, once a five-time MotoGP winner, missed several races due to injuries. When he did ride, he did so on the Yamaha YZR-M1, a machine that barely made it to the podium this year even with former champion Fabio Quartararo. Both Chantra and Oliveira will lose their MotoGP seats and move to World Superbike in 2026. At Valencia, they finished 17th and 11th in their last Grand Prix race.
Honda ends season positively in Moto3
Honda did have something to celebrate in Moto3. Adrian Fernandez won the Valencia race and Taiyo Furusato finished third. For the Fernandez family, it was a great weekend with wins in several classes.
- Bagnaia's race end after contact with Zarco
- Aprilia scores three wins in four races
- KTM seeks solutions to rear wheel spin
- Martin returned under medical restrictions
- Chantra and Oliveira leave MotoGP for WorldSBK
Nov 14, 2025 | MotoGP
Friday training in Valencia
Pedro Acosta recorded the fastest time in Friday afternoon's MotoGP practice session at the Circuit de Valencia Ricardo Tormo. He set a strong time and stayed ahead of the rest. The session went smoothly, with many riders testing and fine-tuning.
Top five and standouts
Besides Acosta, several names made their mark. Marco Bezzecchi came second, followed by Franco Morbidelli. Alex Marquez and Ai Ogura completed the top five. The differences were small; riders trying to match their race pace and tyre choice to the conditions.
- Pedro Acosta (KTM factory)
- Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing)
- Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)
- Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP)
- Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team)
Acosta set the tone at Valencia; a promising start to the weekend.
Nov 13, 2025 | MotoGP
Valencia puts final battle
After a two-year absence, MotoGP returns to the Circuit Ricardo Tormo. The stadium is sold out and all the drama of the season gets its final chapter this weekend. Six different winners in a row: will Valencia become the seventh name on that list? The stakes are high: the battle for bronze in the championship, some more shuffling in the standings and important points for the concession system.
Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) has ridden such a strong season that he is already almost certain of second place. This allows him to ride purely for wins at Valencia. If he finishes just ahead of Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Acosta will be out of the battle for third place. Both riders are likely to compete in the battles for the win this weekend.
The battle for bronze and seventh winner
The real battle for bronze is now between Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team). Bezzecchi increased his lead with a strong win in Portugal, taking a big step towards that third spot. With that win and the victory in Australia with Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team), Aprilia experienced the best MotoGP season in the brand's history.
Who will be the seventh different winner in a row? Names like Marc Marquez, Bagnaia, Fermin Aldeguer, Raul Fernandez, Alex Marquez and Bezzecchi are in the hat. Pedro Acosta is still looking for his first win and seems the most logical candidate. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) is also in the picture: consistent and fast over one lap, although Yamaha needs to find something to do with top speed at this circuit. With a field like this, anything is possible.
- Lots of battles: victory, podium and championship places
- Concessions: Honda can move from Rank D to C with 9 points
- Testing on Tuesday: focus on 2026 and beyond
Concessions: Honda under pressure
Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) seemed to just get going until Portimao, but technical failure pulled him back. Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) did pick up ten points and together Mir, Zarco and Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) have often shown they can score a lot. Honda needs just nine more points to move from Rank D to Rank C. That's good news for progress, but it could also mean they lose advantages if they fall just short. For rookie Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda LCR), the priority is likely to be experience and taking home some more points.
Last duels and returning names
Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) is sixth in the championship and can still attack the top five. His teammate Franco Morbidelli lost ground last round and is close. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) can never be eliminated; both have shown before that they can suddenly shine.
Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) returns after his injury and wants to finish the season well. Miguel Oliveira (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) hopes to end his chapter in MotoGP with dignity. Jack Miller wants to finish with a top ten, his first since Brno this season.
On the test bench for Tuesday are Quartararo, Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), Toprak Razgatlioglu and the Yamaha teammates. Augusto Fernandez gets a wildcard on the V4-powered YZR-M1. Nicolo Bulega provisionally takes over Marc Marquez's seat at Ducati Lenovo Team, also with a view to his role as a test rider towards 2027. Exciting times, then, and it all starts this weekend in Valencia.
A final like no other.
Moto2: Moreira versus Gonzalez
In Moto2, it's all about one thing: the title. Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) and Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) face each other with one lap to go. Moreira has the best starting position. With a 24-point lead, a top-14 finish on Sunday is enough for him.
Gonzalez needs to win to still have a chance. He is under pressure: no podium since Hungary and no win since Mugello. For Moreira, since his double failure in Germany and the Czech Republic, he has almost always finished inside the top five, with the exception of that P14 in Barcelona. Tension is at a maximum.
Behind the leaders, the battle for spot three remains interesting. Barry Baltus leads Fantic colleague Aron Canet by six points, while Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) is still in his sights before running his final Moto2 race.
Moto3: battle for silver and home heroes
In Moto3, it's all about silver. Angel Piqueras (FRINSA - MT Helmets - MSI) and Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) will decide who settles behind world champion Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Quiles has already won three times this season, earning the Rookie of the Year title. Piqueras bids farewell to Moto3 and aims to deliver a fine final act in his own country.
The points standings are tight: Piqueras is five points ahead, Quiles is eight points behind. With David Muñoz still injured, Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Joel Kelso (LEVELUP-MTA) are in position to secure P4 and P5 if they score well in Valencia. For top Honda, there is a battle between Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) and Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing); two points separate them.
FIM MotoMini World Final in Valencia
For the first time, the FIM MotoMini World Series appears in its new Road to MotoGP structure. The World Final will be run on Thursday morning, offering young riders opportunities to advance towards the world championship. Watch the livestreams and follow the new talents potentially making their way to MotoGP.
Tune in this weekend for the Motul Grand Prix of the Valencian Community. One final round, lots of stakes and a season getting its closing page. We'll see you at the circuit.
Nov 12, 2025 | MotoGP
Confirmation of Aprilia
Aprilia Racing has announced that Jorge Martin will travel to Valencia to take part in the season finale, provided he is medically cleared at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo on Thursday.
Return after collarbone fracture
The 2024 MotoGP World Champion has been sidelined since his crash during the Tissot Sprint at the Japanese Grand Prix. In the process, Martin suffered a displaced fracture to his right collarbone.
If declared fit, he will get back on the RS-GP in front of his home crowd. Martin will not only ride in the Grand Prix of Valencia, but will also take part in the Valencia Test on the Tuesday after the race weekend. That will give the #89 a chance to recover before the winter break after a tough injury-plagued debut season at Aprilia.
- Medical examination: Thursday at Circuit Ricardo Tormo
- Race: Grand Prix of Valencia, season finale
- Test: Valencia Test on Tuesday after the weekend
What it means
A return of Martin would give both Aprilia and fans a positive end to the season. Whether he can actually race will of course depend on the results of the scrutineering. For the #89, it is mainly a chance to go into the winter with confidence.
Nov 10, 2025 | MotoGP
Bezzecchi surprises everyone
Marco Bezzechi disappeared for a moment before the eyes of Álex Márquez and Pedro Acosta. And as if it was nothing, he suddenly found himself next to them on stage. Today the ‘Bez’ showed what he is capable of. Not even Peter saw it coming.
Hard racing and discussion of incidents
The race was full of spectacular moments. There was hard fighting, with close racing and rough action. Some passages resembled knife fights on the track. Riders involved? Possibly also Franco Morbidelli. However, Mat and Peter cannot agree: was it a push or was it straight-up ramming?
- Unpredictable moments that determined the outcome
- Bezzecchi's comeback to the podium
- Controversy surrounding contact and aggressive racing
- Discussion between podcast hosts on intention and rules
The difference between a push and a ram?
Want to hear the extended afterword? Listen to the Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast for analysis, opinions and the full discussion between Mat and Peter. If you like deeper breakdowns, this is an episode you don't want to miss. Listen to the full podcast.
Nov 10, 2025 | MotoGP
Bezzecchi dominates from start to finish
Marco Bezzecchi won Sunday's MotoGP race at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimao. On his Aprilia Racing RS-GP25, he led all 25 laps and crossed the line first, 2.583 seconds ahead of Alex Marquez.
Bezzecchi immediately set the tone and steadily increased his lead. He rode solidly and made no mistakes, allowing no one to really threaten him in the closing stages. With this win, he consolidates his position in the championship and is on course to finally secure place three at Valencia next week.
Exciting battle behind the winner
Alex Marquez took second place on the BK8 Gresini Racing Ducati Desmosedici GP24. Pedro Acosta climbed to the podium for Red Bull KTM Factory RC16, finishing third after putting hard pressure on Marquez in the closing laps.
Fermin Aldeguer finished fourth, ahead of Brad Binder in fifth place. Francesco Bagnaia suffered a severe setback: he crashed at turn 10 on lap 11 and could not finish the race (DNF). Joan Mir had to retire early with a technical problem at the end of lap 2.
- 1. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) - winner
- 2. Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing) - second
- 3. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory) - third
- 4. Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing)
- 5. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory)
- DNF. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team)
In the middle distance, a fierce battle for sixth place developed. Fabio Quartararo cleverly defended his position and eventually finished ahead of Johann Zarco and Ai Ogura. Fabio Di Giannantonio grabbed another top-ten finish, just ahead of Pol Espargaro who was the third KTM in the top ten.
From start to finish, Bezzecchi made no mistake.
Acosta found extra speed in the last four laps and snatched a sizeable lead from Marquez, but it was just not enough to move further up the podium. Marquez held on, securing his second place in Portimao.
Championship implications
After Portimao, Marc Marquez continues to lead the world championship with 545 points. Alex Marquez is second with 445 points. Marco Bezzecchi climbs to third position with 323 points and has good chances of securing that spot for good at Valencia.
Portimao again provided spectacle and confirmed that Bezzecchi is in form this season. Next week, the decisive final already awaits in Valencia.
Nov 8, 2025 | MotoGP
Marquez takes narrow win
Alex Marquez won the Tissot Sprint at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal on Saturday afternoon. He rode 12 laps on his BK8 Gresini Ducati Desmosedici GP24 and finished with a difference of just 0.120 seconds. It remained exciting until the last lap, with Pedro Acosta on the Red Bull KTM Factory RC16 hot on his heels.
Top results and consequences
Poleman Marco Bezzecchi crossed the line in third on his Aprilia Racing RS-GP25. Fabio Quartararo finished fourth on the Monster Energy Yamaha YZF-M1. Fabio Di Giannantonio completed the top five on the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Ducati Desmosedici GP25.
- 1. Alex Marquez - BK8 Gresini Ducati Desmosedici GP24
- 2. Pedro Acosta - Red Bull KTM Factory RC16
- 3. Marco Bezzecchi - Aprilia Racing RS-GP25
- 4. Fabio Quartararo - Monster Energy Yamaha YZF-M1
- 5. Fabio Di Giannantonio - Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Ducati Desmosedici GP25
In the world championship, Marc Marquez remains in the lead with 545 points. Alex Marquez follows with 425 points, 120 points behind. Marco Bezzecchi is third with 298 points. The sprint result does not dramatically change the proportions, but gives Alex extra confidence heading into the main race.
This gives a lot of confidence.
Nov 8, 2025 | MotoGP
Bezzecchi dominates qualifying
Marco Bezzecchi grabbed pole position during the MotoGP qualifying at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve on Saturday. On his Aprilia Racing RS-GP25, he rode a fast lap of 1:37.556 to top the field of 22 riders.
Front rows and times
Pedro Acosta was the best pursuer with a time of 1:37.706 on his Red Bull KTM Factory. Fabio Quartararo completed the first starting row with 1:37.860 on his Monster Energy Yamaha YZF-M1. The second starting row consisted of Francesco Bagnaia, Alex Marquez and Johann Zarco.
- 1. Marco Bezzecchi - 1:37.556 (Aprilia Racing RS-GP25)
- 2. Pedro Acosta - 1:37.706 (Red Bull KTM Factory)
- 3. Fabio Quartararo - 1:37.860 (Monster Energy Yamaha YZF-M1)
- 4. Francesco Bagnaia - 1:37.935 (Lenovo Team Ducati)
- 5. Alex Marquez - 1:37.987 (BK8 Gresini Ducati)
- 6. Johann Zarco - 1:38.059 (Castrol Honda LCR)
What this means for the race
A good start is crucial in Algarve. Bezzecchi now has the best starting position for the first corners and can take control of the race on the opening lap. Acosta and Quartararo expect to put pressure immediately in the first laps, while Bagnaia and Marquez try to connect from behind.
Small time differences will make the first 10 laps decisive. Expect a fierce battle for positions at the front, especially on a track where overtaking is possible but costly.
Nov 8, 2025 | MotoGP
Marquez and Aldeguer set the tone
Alex Marquez was the fastest rider on Friday in Portimão. He recorded the fastest times in both FP1 and Practice, securing a place in Q2. Fermin Aldeguer also came on strong, finishing in the top ten in FP1 and advancing to Q2 after Practice.
Both Gresini drivers seemed well at ease on the challenging track from the very first laps. The team work went smoothly and the set-up immediately gave confidence, something that is important on a track with many elevation changes and blind corners.
I came to Portugal in the right mood: relaxed but with the right excitement for a MotoGP weekend.
Honda and changing conditions
The weather played an important role. Joan Mir remained consistently fast and finished the day fifth, well into Q2. His Honda RC213V gave him enough confidence to fight for the first two rows.
Luca Marini was unlucky: an early crash cost him a spare bike and he narrowly missed Q2 in 11th. Marini and his team are working on brake point adjustments and fine tuning to improve on Saturday.
Standouts: Aprilia, Yamaha, Ducati and KTM
Aprilia reported a positive first part of the day. Marco Bezzecchi rode his way to P4 and straight into Q2. Lorenzo Savadori, substitute for Jorge Martín, worked on the development of the RS-GP25 and finished further back.
At Monster Energy Yamaha, the day was more difficult. Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins finished 13th and 18th respectively, taking them into Q1. Sudden rain made time attacks difficult and limited opportunities to set a clean fast lap.
Ducati made themselves heard with Francesco Bagnaia on P2; a solid time trial in Practice earned him a spot in Q2. Newcomer Nicolò Bulega made his MotoGP debut and collected many laps to gain experience.
Pol Espargaró made it to Q2 for Red Bull KTM Tech3 with a neat ninth place. Enea Bastianini struggled with changing conditions and is in Q1 after P19.
Other notes
- Johann Zarco showed strength and secured P6 and a direct Q2 place.
- Somkiat Chantra made a remarkable wheelie in FP1 and worked on different set-ups for the rest of the day (P20).
- Prima Pramac Yamaha had a difficult afternoon, with Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira finishing the day outside the top 10.
- The 12-lap Sprint is scheduled on Saturday at 15:00 local time; FP2 and qualifying will follow in the morning.
Summary: Portimão delivered a mixture of confirmations and surprises. Some favourites showed immediately that they can fight for the front positions, while others will be thrown back to Q1 by weather and minor mistakes. The real answers will follow on Saturday in FP2, Q1/Q2 and the Sprint.
Nov 6, 2025 | MotoGP
Portimão back on the calendar
The season is nearing its denouement and MotoGP travels to the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão this week. The circuit is known as the ‘rollercoaster’ because of its large elevation changes and fast gradients. With 4.59 km and 15 corners, the track demands a lot from rider and machine. The start and finish straight of almost 1,000 metres leads to an impressive descent towards Turn 1, making braking late and control crucial.
Main teams and drivers
Most factory teams are taking fresh courage after the distant races. There are a number of notable changes and personal stories that grab attention this weekend.
Aprilia Racing sends Marco Bezzecchi and Lorenzo Savadori to Portimão. Bezzecchi wants to change gear quickly after a difficult weekend in Malaysia and defend his third place in the championship. Savadori replaces Jorge Martín; Martín is still missing after collarbone surgery and is undergoing additional medical checks this week.
Ducati Lenovo Team is experiencing a special weekend: Nicolò Bulega makes his MotoGP debut as Marc Márquez's replacement, riding his 100th World Cup race. Pecco Bagnaia arrives with good flow after a strong Sprint in Malaysia and is looking to continue defending his place on the podium.
Prima Pramac Yamaha is all about goodbyes: Miguel Oliveira may be racing for the last time in MotoGP in front of his own crowd before moving to WorldSBK. Oliveira and teammate Jack Miller are chasing a strong result at a circuit where Oliveira already won in 2020.
Monster Energy Yamaha is counting on Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins to finish the season strongly. Quartararo wants to compete at the top again, Rins is looking for confirmation after mixed results. Both riders see Portimão as a good test for the last two weekends and towards 2026.
Honda HRC Castrol hopes Luca Marini and Joan Mir bring their form from the fly-away races to Europe. Marini is aiming for consistent qualifying and starts, Mir wants to return to the podium and relies on the circuit's strong braking zones.
Red Bull KTM Tech3 comes with Enea Bastianini and Pol Espargaró. Bastianini aims to solve his qualifying problem on one fast lap. Pol replaces Maverick Viñales, who gets an extra week for his recovery; for Espargaró, Portimão is also a special challenge mentally after his previous injury here.
What to follow this weekend
- Nicolò Bulega makes his MotoGP debut and achieves his 100th World Cup start.
- Miguel Oliveira possibly his last MotoGP race in front of his own crowd.
- Substitutions: Savadori is back in the Aprilia, Pol Espargaró replaces Viñales.
- Pecco Bagnaia and Marco Bezzecchi are both chasing strong results for the championship.
The weekend offers fast sectors and tough braking points. This always makes Portimão unpredictable: who will grab the right set-up straight away on Friday and who will come closer to the top in qualifying?
“I am very emotional: Portimão is special to me and racing in front of my own fans gives that extra something. I really want to enjoy it.” - Miguel Oliveira
Weekend schedule (local time)
Friday: FP1 at 10:45, Practice at 15:00. Saturday: FP2 at 10:10, Qualifying at 10:50, Sprint at 15:00 (12 laps). Sunday: Warm-up at 09:40, Race at 13:00 (25 laps).
With two races to go, every point is precious. Portimão promises spectacular action and some important personal moments. Brace yourselves: the rollercoaster awaits.
Nov 5, 2025 | MotoGP
Roberts stays in Los Angeles
Joe Roberts will not return for the final two races of the season. After returning home to Los Angeles, he underwent additional tests. An MRI showed a small fracture in his left wrist, suffered during the Malaysian GP weekend. In order to fully recover and be ready for testing after Valencia, Joe and American Racing Team have decided that he will stay in LA for rehabilitation.
As a result, he is missing from the closing rounds in Portugal and Valencia of the Moto2 World Championship.
Who will take his place?
The team acquires Xabi Zurutuza from the American Racing JuniorGP programme. The Spanish rider, from Andifer American Racing, will thus make his Moto2 debut with the team. American Racing stresses that they wish Joe a smooth recovery and would like to see him back on the bike soon.
- Reason: minor fracture of left wrist after Malaysian GP
- Missed races: Portugal and Valencia
- Substitute: Xabi Zurutuza (American Racing JuniorGP / Andifer American Racing)
- Goal: ready for first test after Valencia
“Unfortunately, the MRI showed that Joe has a fracture in his left wrist, so he cannot ride for a few weeks,” Eitan Butbul said.
Nov 1, 2025 | MotoGP
Top class debut
Nicolò Bulega makes his MotoGP debut for the final two races of the season. He joins the Ducati Lenovo Team as a replacement for Marc Márquez. The Portuguese GP in Portimão (7-9 November) will be his first race on the Desmosedici GP.
Bulega recently tested the Desmosedici GP at Circuito de Jerez - Angel Nieto. That session gave him his first experience with Ducati Corse's machine. For Bulega, it is a great opportunity, but also a gamble: he has little time to adapt.
What this means for Bulega and Ducati
Bulega comes over from WorldSBK and Supersport. At Aruba.it-Racing Ducati, he was a defining rider in the production racer class and as a test rider for Ducati, he is already closely involved with the factory. Ducati sees in him a rider who can contribute to the development of the Desmosedici GP, especially in view of next season.
There is also a milestone to celebrate in Portimão. The race will be his 100th entry in the world championship: so far, he has started 50 times in Moto3 and 49 times in Moto2.
- Team: Ducati Lenovo Team
- Events: Portuguese GP (Portimão) and Valencia GP
- Background: 2023 Supersport world champion; recent Superbike topper
“It's every kid's dream to debut in MotoGP; I'm going to approach this calmly and give everything.”
Short CV and career
Nicolò Bulega (1999, Montecchio Emilia) started racing early. He won national youth titles and quickly climbed through to the world championships. In 2015, he made his first Moto3 appearance as a wildcard. This was followed by full seasons in Moto3 and Moto2.
In 2022, he left the MotoGP paddock to join Ducati. With Team Aruba in Supersport, he won the world championship in 2023. His Superbike debut in 2024 immediately earned him a strong second place in the overall standings; he repeated that result in 2025.
Ducati on the choice
Luigi Dall'Igna stressed that Bulega has been part of the Ducati family since 2022. Ducati saw his achievements in Supersport and Superbike and appreciates his role as a test rider. The chance to ride in the last two GPs fits with his further development and preparation for test work with new tyres next year, according to the team.
For fans, this means Portimão and Valencia will get two races with a young, convincing rider on a factory bike. Bulega has expressed few expectations. However, he is clearly motivated to make the most of this opportunity.
Oct 31, 2025 | MotoGP
Sepang: hot fight and an important win
Alex Marquez won the Grand Prix of Malaysia in Sepang, giving Gresini the independent team title. On the tough tarmac with lap times and temperatures that caused heavy tyre wear, Marquez kept his cool and rode a smart race from the start. Fermin Aldeguer did not reach the finish after a heavy crash, but still finishes the season in the top ten of the championship.
Podium and standout performances
Joan Mir climbed to the podium for Honda HRC Castrol. Mir slid through the field in the second half of the race and eventually grabbed P3, a reward for the team's hard work and a clear step forward for Honda. Luca Marini fought his way back to P8 after an early mistake, while Fabio Quartararo rode solidly for Monster Energy Yamaha and crossed the line in fifth. Alex Rins mainly tried to save the tyres and finished on P13.
- Winner: Alex Marquez (Gresini) - independent team title for Gresini
- Joan Mir (Honda) on the podium after strong overtaking moves
- Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) forced out by a flat rear tyre
- Enea Bastianini stormed from P19 to P7; Pol Espargaro crashed early
Ducati Lenovo suffered a blow when Francesco Bagnaia had to go to the pits with three laps to go and could not finish the race due to a rear tyre puncture. The outcome does not change the fact that Ducati has already won important titles this year, but it was a sour way to end a strong race.
Teams, rookies and testing
Red Bull KTM Tech3 had reason for optimism thanks to Enea Bastianini, who made up several places and finished seventh. Pol Espargaro showed initial speed but crashed on lap five. Aprilia found it difficult in Sepang; Marco Bezzecchi did not go beyond P11 and Lorenzo Savadori stayed just outside the points.
Yamaha Factory Racing used the race to collect additional data with the V4-powered prototype. Wild-card Augusto Fernández rode out all 20 laps and finished on P18. At Prima Pramac Yamaha, the weekend was disappointing with Jack Miller grabbing two points with P14 and Miguel Oliveira recovering after a crash to finish P19.
Results and outlook
The battle of attrition in Sepang was also a test of tyre management and cooling. Many riders had to temper the pace to reach the finish line. With two Grands Prix to go, the circus moves back to Europe; the battle continues in a fortnight' time in Portimão at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve.
“Today I changed my approach at the start and that made the difference; we became the best independent team from the top of the podium.”
Oct 26, 2025 | MotoGP
Alex Márquez took his third win of the season at Sepang. The Gresini Ducati rider rode in a special blue livery. He confirmed his strong form after finishing second in the sprint race behind Pecco Bagnaia.
Start and early phase
Bagnaia got off to the best start and immediately grabbed the lead. However, Márquez and Pedro Acosta continued to hang on. At Turn 4, Márquez took over the lead. He immediately created a gap of about eight tenths. That lead remained stable for the first half of the 20 laps.
Turnaround in round 13
On lap 13, Bagnaia's pace dropped. Acosta went past and remained strong, despite earlier doubts about tyre management at KTM. Soon after, Bagnaia quickly lost more time. He rode stepwise to the pit and crashed out with a technical problem.
Podium and top ten
Márquez controlled the closing stages and won by 2.7 seconds ahead of Acosta. Joan Mir finished third to take his second podium of the year. Franco Morbidelli pressed on, but Mir held on. Fabio Quartararo fell back, but still finished fifth and thus best Yamaha rider.
Fermín Aldeguer was considered a contender, but lacked speed and crashed in the last corner. His place went to Fabio Di Giannantonio, who finished sixth. Enea Bastianini rode strongly to the front from P19 and finished seventh. Luca Marini finished eighth, narrowly trailing Brad Binder. Marco Bezzecchi got no further than P11, behind Trackhouse rookie Ai Ogura. Bagnaia's crash means Bezzecchi now has a five-point lead in the battle for third place in the championship.
Other events
The Yamaha V4 prototype recorded P18 with test rider Augusto Fernández, 47 seconds off the winner. There were crashes for Pol Espargaró, Raúl Fernández, Miguel Oliveira and Aldeguer. Oliveira got back on and finished 19th.
Conclusion
Márquez confirmed his status as a Sepang specialist and cemented his second place in the World Championship. Acosta and Mir completed the podium. For Bagnaia, it was a race to quickly forget.
Oct 26, 2025 | MotoGP
Bagnaia and Ducati dominate Sprint
Francesco Bagnaia made a clear statement at Sepang on Saturday. After a sharp time in Q1, he grabbed pole and set off from the best position for the 10-lap Sprint. Bagnaia had an excellent start, held the lead and increased his lead lap after lap to the finish. It is his second win of the season on Saturday. Teammate Michele Pirro, starting from the back rows, battled his way to 20th place, providing useful data for Sunday's race.
This win is for the team, which works tirelessly. We alternate top performances with difficult moments this season, and together we are looking for the cause of those fluctuations.
Podia, championship places and rookies
Gresini had a strong day. Alex Marquez grabbed another podium spot, consolidating his second place in the championship. Teammate Fermín Aldeguer was named Rookie of the Year; he was initially on the podium in the Sprint but later received a penalty which adjusted his ranking. For Gresini, it remains a season to be proud of.
At Monster Energy Yamaha, it was mainly damage control. Fabio Quartararo rode a solid Sprint and moved to P5 in the final results after a post-race penalty for Aldeguer. Álex Rins struggled with the tyres and lost a lot of ground in the middle stages; he finished 15th. Team principal Massimo Meregalli stressed that today's data will be used to better cope with Sunday's longer race distance.
Combination of comeback attempts and setbacks
Aprilia had a small upturn: Marco Bezzecchi climbed strongly to the front from P14 and finished on P6. Lorenzo Savadori tested parts for the RS-GP25 and finished near the points on P18. Aprilia is working emphatically on development steps for future races.
Red Bull KTM Tech3 had two solid performances: Enea Bastianini fought his way from P19 to P9, earning another sprint point. Pol Espargaro rode consistently and finished 11th, despite a small contact with Luca Marini that cost him positions.
For Honda HRC Castrol, the day ended disappointingly. Joan Mir looked to be on his way to a result but lost the front end and made a DNF after crashing in the podium battle. Luca Marini was on his way to a strong comeback but got involved in contact with Pol Espargaro and also had to retire. Honda stressed that the team will take today's lessons to Sunday.
Prima Pramac Yamaha had a tricky Sprint: Jack Miller crossed the line in 14th, while Miguel Oliveira crashed out early due to a fall on the sixth lap. CASTROL Honda LCR saw Johann Zarco on form; he rode controlled to P8 and praised the regained feeling on the machine. IDEMITSU Honda LCR rider Somkiat Chantra worked his way to P17 from P20 and gathered useful information for the race setup.
Brief overview of notable results
- 1st - Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team)
- 2nd - Alex Marquez (Gresini)
- Fabio Quartararo finished on P5 after penalty change
- Enea Bastianini knuckled down to P9 (10 places gain)
- Joan Mir and Luca Marini: both dropped out (DNF)
- Jack Miller P14; Miguel Oliveira dropped out
- Michele Pirro P20; Somkiat Chantra P17
Sepang remains a hot and demanding track, where tyre management and braking are crucial. Tomorrow's warm-up is scheduled at 09:40 local time, followed by the 20-lap Malaysian Grand Prix at 15:00 local time (UTC+8). Many teams returned to the paddock with new parts and data - Sunday will be the real measure of who can actually turn developments into race pace and consistency.
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