The battle lines are drawn as the world’s most exciting sport arrives on turf poised to serve up a storm.
Hallowed Ground, Home Turf, and Enemy Territory: Misano Sets the Stage for MotoGP™ Showdown
This weekend, the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli transforms into hallowed ground, home turf, and enemy territory all at once for the MotoGP™ grid. The Gran Premio Red Bull di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini promises a thrilling battle, with championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) heading into the race 23 points ahead. His target? Defending his lead against home hero Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team). Bagnaia, ever the fighter, is determined to recover from recent setbacks, especially on his home soil and for his own team. The reigning champion is renowned for bouncing back when it matters most, so the tension between these two is set to soar.
Adding more intrigue, Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) made a long-awaited return to victory in Aragon, marking 1043 days since his last win — at Misano in 2021, no less. With more wins than any rider at this circuit, Marquez will be eager to claim another, especially as he navigates the dynamics of racing on enemy, future teammate, and current team turf.
Another home hero, Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team), brings his impressive Misano track record into the mix. Despite a challenging Aragon weekend, he clawed his way to the front, losing third overall by just a single point. Misano offers him the perfect opportunity to aim for the podium once again.
The local talent doesn’t stop there. Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), who scored two podiums last year, hopes for a similar result despite a tougher season. His teammate, Fabio Di Giannantonio, will be looking to regain form after a tire pressure penalty hampered his performance in Aragon. And don’t forget Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing), who’s been making steady progress and is ready for another shot at the podium.
Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) was in contention for a podium finish at Aragon before tangling with Bagnaia and ending in the gravel. The stewards ruled no further action, but Misano brings a new chance for Marquez to shine in front of a partisan crowd, many of whom will back Bagnaia.
Aprilia is also aiming for a strong comeback after a challenging Aragon GP. The team had all four RS-GPs in the top ten early on but struggled as the weekend progressed. Misano gives Aleix Espargaro, Maverick Viñales, and their teammates another shot at glory.
KTM and GASGAS riders are also entering Misano on a high. Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder secured podiums at Aragon, and Jack Miller hopes for a smoother weekend after recent ups and downs. Augusto Fernandez and Pol Espargaro (back with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) will also be aiming for solid performances.
Honda’s Stefan Bradl will take to the track for the HRC Test Team, while Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) impressed in Aragon, moving directly into Q2 before crashing. Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) is eager for a strong showing at his home race, while Joan Mir and Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) look to build on recent positives.
Yamaha has just completed a private test at Misano, so all eyes will be on Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) and teammate Alex Rins. Quartararo had a strong Saturday at Aragon but crashed on Sunday, while Rins secured a top-ten finish. Misano, traditionally a good track for Yamaha, could offer them another chance to shine.
As the championship fight heats up, Martin’s lead is under pressure, and Bagnaia is a force to be reckoned with, especially when he needs a result. With Marc Marquez back on form and Bastianini eager to make his mark, the stage is set for an epic showdown.
Don’t miss the action at the Gran Premio Red Bull di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini:
SHOWTIME
- Saturday
Tissot Sprint: 15:00 (UTC +2) - Sunday
Grand Prix: 14:00 (UTC +2)
Moto2™: Dixon dares to dream as the deficit comes down.
Jake Dixon Closes in on the Championship Ahead of San Marino GP
Just four races ago, Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) trailed World Championship leader Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) by a daunting 105 points. Now, heading into the San Marino GP, that gap has narrowed to just 43 points after Dixon secured his second win of the season at Aragon. It was a stellar weekend at MotorLand, with the Brit converting his first pole position of the year into a crucial victory, firmly placing the #96 in the Championship fight.
Dixon’s rise comes as title contenders struggled to collect significant points. Garcia endured a weekend to forget, retiring from Sunday’s race, while his teammate Ai Ogura, returning from injury, battled to finish eighth and secure eight valuable points. Meanwhile, Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing) and Fermin Aldeguer (BetaTools SpeedUp) saw their races end in crashes, further shaking up the title race.
As a result, Dixon and Alonso Lopez (BetaTools SpeedUp), who finished fourth at Aragon, made the biggest gains. Lopez, a Misano podium finisher in 2023, now sits third in the standings, just 31 points behind Garcia, while Dixon is in fifth. The top six riders, from Garcia to Aldeguer, are now separated by just 50 points as the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli hosts the next chapter of this thrilling Championship battle.
Also deserving mention are the other two riders who joined Dixon on the Aragon podium: Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Arbolino earned his first podium of the season, pushing Dixon all the way, while Öncü celebrated his maiden intermediate class rostrum after a standout weekend. Both will be eager to carry this momentum through to Valencia.
The Championship heats up as the San Marino GP approaches!
Moto3™: Alonso marches on as Veijer takes up the chase
Rueda Makes History with First Moto3™ Win at Aragon
History was made at Aragon on Sunday morning as Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) became the 400th different Grand Prix winner. His first Moto3™ victory marked his third podium of the season and his first since the Catalan GP, propelling the #99 rider to P6 in the overall standings.
Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) also climbed the Championship ladder with his second-place finish, now sitting P2 in the title race after securing his sixth podium of the year. Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) delivered an impressive performance to claim his first Grand Prix podium in P3, just in time for his and the team’s home race at Misano.
Looking ahead to Misano, last year’s Moto3™ winner was none other than David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team). Although Alonso finished just off the podium in P4 at Aragon, he extended his Championship lead to 75 points. Veijer is now his closest challenger, while Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) and Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) struggled in Aragon, finishing P12 and P9 respectively. As the season progresses, both will need to step up their game to close in on Alonso before time runs out.
Can anyone catch Alonso at Misano? The race is on!
Official MotoGP Press Release
