Marc Marquez overcame a dramatic start-line mishap to claim victory at the 2025 Italian MotoGP Sprint in Mugello, leading a historic Ducati 1-2-3 at the manufacturer’s home event.
The race, held under threatening skies but on a dry track, unfolded with the kind of intensity and unpredictability that has come to define MotoGP’s sprint format, and Mugello’s passionate Italian crowd was treated to a spectacle that will be remembered for years.
The build-up to the Italian MotoGP Sprint was already charged with anticipation after Marc Marquez secured his 100th career pole position earlier in the day, setting a new lap record and staking his claim as the favorite for victory.
However, just moments before the red lights went out Marquez was seen making hurried adjustments to his left handlebar.
He later explained that an issue with the launch control system forced him to disengage and re-engage it, costing him precious seconds and positions as the pack surged away from the grid.
Full 2025 MotoGP Italy Sprint Race Results – Mugello
As the field thundered down to San Donato for the first time, it was home hero Francesco Bagnaia who seized the holeshot, leading into Turn 1 with Alex Marquez, Marc’s younger brother and BK8 Gresini Ducati rider, slotting into second.
Marc Marquez, meanwhile, found himself shuffled back to as low as seventh, a far cry from the dominant start many had expected from the pole-sitter.
Despite the setback, Marc Marquez wasted no time in mounting his recovery. By the end of the opening lap, he had already begun to pick off his rivals, displaying the trademark aggression and precision that have made him a multiple world champion.
However, the opening laps saw drama unfold as contact between Di Giannantonio and Binder at Turn 1 sent the KTM rider to the ground, his sliding bike collecting Johann Zarco and ending both riders’ races prematurely.
The leading trio of Bagnaia, Alex Marquez, and Marc Marquez quickly established themselves at the front, engaging in a tense battle that saw positions change hands multiple times in the early laps.
Bagnaia, buoyed by the support of the Italian fans and aiming to extend his remarkable run of five consecutive wins at Mugello (including Sprint races), initially looked comfortable in the lead.
However, the relentless pace of the Marquez brothers soon became apparent with Alex in particular showing impressive speed on the GP24-spec Ducati.
By lap four, Marc Marquez had closed the gap to the leaders and made a decisive move on Alex to take second place. Not content to settle, he immediately set his sights on Bagnaia who was beginning to feel the pressure.
With clinical efficiency, Marc dispatched Bagnaia to seize the lead, and from that point on he began to stretch his advantage at the front, ultimately taking the checkered flag as the 2025 Italian MotoGP Sprint winner.
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2025 Italian MotoGP Qualifying Results and starting grid
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Alex Marquez, despite his best efforts, was unable to match his brother’s pace but held off a determined Bagnaia to secure second place, completing a remarkable Marquez family 1-2 for Ducati.
Bagnaia, for his part, was forced to settle for third, his hopes of another Mugello triumph dashed but still able to deliver a podium for the home fans.
Behind the leading trio, Maverick Viñales secured an impressive fourth for Red Bull KTM Tech3 while Fabio Di Giannantonio delivered a strong performance to finish fifth just ahead of Marco Bezzecchi on the Aprilia Racing RS-GP25.
Franco Morbidelli marked the second Pertamina VR46 Ducati in seventh, an impressive result at the team’s home event. Raul Fernandez secured eighth place for Trackhouse Aprilia while rookie Fermin Aldeguer impressed with a ninth-place finish for BK8 Gresini Ducati.
Quartararo, who had shown early promise, ultimately faded to tenth as he struggled to keep pace with the leading Ducatis and KTMs.
