MotoGP News: Bagnaia wins Japan GP Sprint race

Francesco Bagnaia (pictured) turned his season around at the Japanese Grand Prix, clinching his first Sprint race victory of 2025 from pole position at Twin Ring Motegi. The Ducati rider led from start to finish, fending off early pressure to secure the win ahead of championship leader Marc Marquez and KTM’s Pedro Acosta.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

A test at Misano after the San Marino Grand Prix, where it is thought Pecco Bagnaia reverted to 2024 forks, swingarm and ride height device, has seemingly turned his dismal season around.

Bagnaia’s commanding performance began with his second pole of the season on Saturday morning. He maintained his lead through a chaotic Turn 1, where Aprilia teammates Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi crashed out after a collision. Martin, lunging from 17th, lost control and slammed into Bezzecchi, causing both to retire. Martin, later diagnosed with a displaced collarbone fracture, was withdrawn from Sunday’s Grand Prix after medical evaluation.

Marc Marquez, who can clinch the 2025 MotoGP title this weekend by outscoring his brother Alex by three points, fought his way to second. After battling former Honda teammate Joan Mir for several laps, Marquez overtook Mir on lap seven and passed Acosta a lap later.

Despite closing in on Bagnaia, he couldn’t challenge the Italian, who stayed composed for the victory. Mir held on for fourth, followed by Franco Morbidelli, Fabio Quartararo, and Luca Marini. Trackhouse’s Raul Fernandez, home hero Ai Ogura, and Alex Marquez rounded out the top ten.

The Turn 1 incident also affected Alex Rins, Johann Zarco, and Jack Miller, though they stayed upright. Martin, likely facing a penalty, was seen clutching his shoulder as marshals assisted him. Aprilia confirmed he’d undergo further scans at Dokkyo Medical University Hospital.

Marquez, the only rider alongside his brother still in title contention, remains on track to secure his first MotoGP championship since 2019 if he maintains a 185-point lead over Alex by Sunday. Meanwhile, Bagnaia faces pressure from Bezzecchi for third in the standings. Ducati’s dominance at Motegi continued, having won the last five races there since Marquez’s 2019 triumph for Repsol Honda.

Local riders Joan Mir and Ai Ogura returned after missing the Misano test due to injuries, while HRC test rider Takaaki Nakagami, recovering from knee ligament damage, also competed.

2025 Japanese MotoGP, Motegi – Sprint Race Results – 12 Laps