Bagnaia Triumphs as Marc Marquez Crashes Out in Drama-Filled Americas GP

A Race Full of Twists: Rain, Delays, and a New Championship Leader

The 2025 Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas delivered a rollercoaster of emotions, featuring rain-induced pre-race chaos, a dramatic crash for Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team), and a statement victory for Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team). In an unforgettable Round 3, Bagnaia claimed his first win of the season, while Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) took over as the new MotoGP championship leader with a second-place finish. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) completed the podium, rounding out a thrilling afternoon in Austin.

Pre-Race Chaos: Rain Shakes Up the Grid

Just when it seemed like another routine MotoGP Sunday, the weather had other ideas. Rain hit the Circuit of the Americas just before the start, throwing a wrench into everyone’s plans. Riders faced incredibly tricky conditions on their sighting laps, and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) was the first to fall victim, crashing before even reaching the grid. However, the Frenchman managed to recover and take his starting position.

Then, in a rare sight, Marc Marquez made a last-second dash off the grid, triggering a frantic scramble. Seeing him switch bikes, several riders—including Bagnaia, Di Giannantonio, and Alex Marquez—followed suit, rushing down pit lane to grab their spare machines fitted with slick tires.

Meanwhile, some riders gambled by staying on the grid with slicks from the start, including Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol), Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team), and Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3). The situation quickly became chaotic, forcing Race Direction to intervene.

Race Director Mike Webb Explains the Red Flag Decision

With riders, bikes, and team personnel scattered between the grid and pit lane, Race Direction made the call to delay the start and enforce a quick restart procedure.

“We called for a delay and then a quick start procedure due to safety concerns. Given the number of riders, bikes, and pit staff on the grid and in the pit lane area, it was impossible to start the Warm-Up lap. A new race start was the safest way to respond to the unprecedented circumstances at the start of the Grand Prix. We will analyze the situation together with the teams and revisit the regulations.”

Once the chaos settled, the updated race plan was confirmed: a pit lane opening at 14:10, a quick start procedure, and all riders returning to their original grid positions—this time, all on slick tires.

Lights Out: Marc Marquez Grabs the Early Lead

As the race finally got underway, Marc Marquez launched off the line brilliantly, securing the holeshot while Alex Marquez held off Bagnaia into Turn 1. Bagnaia wasted no time attacking his fellow Ducati riders, first trying to pass Alex at Turn 11, then again at Turn 12, but both attempts fell short.

By the end of Lap 1, Marc Marquez had already built a 1.1-second lead over the chasing pack, which included Alex Marquez, Bagnaia, and Di Giannantonio. Further back, Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Team) and Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) were locked in a fierce battle for fifth.

Lap 4 saw Marc Marquez extend his lead to 1.4 seconds, with Bagnaia still searching for a way past Alex Marquez. At Turn 12, he finally made the move stick, securing P2 and setting his sights on the race leader.

Marc responded with blistering lap times, stretching his advantage to two seconds by the start of Lap 5. However, the fight for sixth place took a turn when Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) crashed out at Turn 1, ending his charge early.

Disaster Strikes: Marc Marquez’s First Crash of 2025

Then came the moment that changed everything. On Lap 6, Marc Marquez made his first major error of the season. While pushing hard through Turn 4, he clipped a curb, hit a wet patch, and lost the front end, sending his Ducati sliding into the gravel. The undefeated streak was over.

Marquez managed to remount in P18, but his GP25 was heavily damaged—missing a right foot peg and suffering additional technical issues. With no realistic chance of scoring points, he eventually retired from the race on Lap 13, marking his first DNF of 2025.

Bagnaia Seizes Control and Claims Victory

With Marc Marquez out of the equation, Bagnaia found himself leading Alex Marquez by 1.6 seconds, with Di Giannantonio a further 2.2 seconds behind. The double MotoGP Champion took full advantage, methodically increasing his lead as the laps ticked down.

By Lap 15 of 19, Bagnaia had stretched his advantage to three seconds, leaving Alex Marquez in a tense battle with Di Giannantonio, who was closing in fast. But the #73 held firm, keeping his rival at bay as they approached the final laps.

As the checkered flag approached, Bagnaia managed his lead perfectly, becoming the 10th rider in history to claim 30 MotoGP wins. Alex Marquez crossed the line in P2 for the sixth consecutive race, securing the championship lead, while Di Giannantonio celebrated a well-earned podium in third.

Final Standings: Americas GP Top Finishers

The top ten riders at COTA were:

1. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team)
2. Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP)
3. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)
4. Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)
5. Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Team)
6. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing)
7. Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3)
8. Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol)
9. Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team)
10. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP)

Other notable results included Alex Rins (P11), Raul Fernandez (P12), and Maverick Viñales (P14), with Lorenzo Savadori taking the final point in P15.

Championship Shake-Up: Alex Marquez Takes the Lead

With Marc Marquez’s unbeaten run brought to a halt, Alex Marquez now sits atop the MotoGP championship standings. His consistency has been remarkable, and as the series heads to Qatar for Round 4, he’ll be carrying the momentum of his title lead.

For Bagnaia, this win is a turning point. After a tough start to the season, he now has the confidence boost needed to reassert himself as a title contender.

Meanwhile, Marc Marquez will be looking to bounce back after his first major setback of 2025. Can he recover and reclaim his dominance, or has the door been opened for a new title fight?

One thing is certain—MotoGP continues to deliver electrifying action. See you in Qatar for the next chapter of this thrilling season!

Official MotoGP Press Release