Marquez the Sprint King Again at Mugello

Marc pulls away from Alex to make it eights wins from nine sprints in 2025, Bagnaia hangs onto third

Marc Márquez produced yet another sprint masterclass at Mugello, overcoming a poor start to storm to victory and claim his eighth win in nine sprint races this season.

As the grid lights went out, all eyes were on Marc, but a last-minute adjustment on his handlebars just before launch left him distracted and slow off the line. Pecco Bagnaia took advantage, grabbing the holeshot into Turn 1, with Álex Márquez slotting into second while Marc dropped several positions. The first corner was chaotic as Brad Binder, having been forced wide by Fabio Di Giannantonio, collided with Johann Zarco at San Donato, eliminating both from contention.

Marc was quick to regroup, launching an aggressive attack into Turn 1 on Lap 2. He briefly took the lead before running wide, allowing younger brother Álex to sweep back into first under braking, with Bagnaia close behind. Fabio Quartararo looked encouraging in the opening laps, sticking with the lead group, while Maverick Viñales stalked just behind and Jack Miller made early gains by moving into the top ten.

Drama struck moments later as rookie sensation Pedro Acosta ran wide and lost the front, sliding out of the race. At the front, Marc Márquez began to find his rhythm, setting the fastest lap and rapidly closing back up on his brother. Bagnaia began to lose touch with the leading pair as the two Márquez brothers edged clear. On Lap 4, Marc retook the lead with a clean move into Turn 1, setting another fastest lap for good measure. Almost simultaneously, Di Giannantonio laid down a blistering time to go fastest overall as threatening storm clouds gathered over the hills of Mugello, prompting teams to prep backup bikes for potential wet weather.

Viñales finally made his pass on Quartararo down the home straight, where KTM’s power proved too much for the Yamaha. Marc Márquez stretched a gap at the front while Bagnaia regrouped and began pressuring Álex for second. Behind them, Di Giannantonio made a stylish move past Quartararo at Arrabbiata 1. Viñales, meanwhile, started to smell podium potential and started to close in on Bagnaia for third. Marco Bezzecchi’s late-race pace was impressive as he carved through the field from a fourth-row start.

As the laps ticked away, Franco Morbidelli picked off Quartararo for seventh, while up front, Bagnaia couldn’t quite get close enough to challenge Álex Márquez despite pushing hard. Marc seemed in control at the front, opening the gap to a full second over Álex, who himself had 1.5 seconds in hand over Bagnaia. Though Pecco looked stronger than in recent sprints, he was once again conclusively beaten by both Márquez brothers on home soil — a bitter pill for the Italian superstar.

Marc Márquez crossed the line 1.5 seconds clear, having owned the second half of the race. Viñales threatened Bagnaia late on but settled for a fourth-place finish that signals he could be a podium contender in Sunday’s main event. Di Giannantonio ended his day in fifth after a spirited ride, just ahead of Bezzecchi, whose late charge came a few laps too late to break into the top five.

Morbidelli took a solid seventh, followed by Raul Fernandez in eighth onboard the Aprilia. Ninth went to Fermín Aldeguer, who hasn’t quite had the speed he’s shown at recent rounds. Fabio Quartararo, despite a strong start, faded late and rounded out the top ten.

As the riders prepare for Sunday’s full-distance showdown, Marc Márquez has once again stamped his authority on the sprint format. Bagnaia’s practice and qualifying confidence still resulted in him being beaten by both Marquez brothers, but he’s traditionally better in the feature length race and could be a thrat tomorrow. Vinales is also an outside chance of getting on the Sunday podium given the pace he’s shown all weekend.

2025 Italian MotoGP Sprint Race