The most recent winner, Bagnaia, keeps spoiling the party for some home heroes – now they have chance to hit back
Barcelona witnessed a weekend filled with unexpected turns, gripping racing, and enough drama to rival a full season’s worth of action, and yet, we’re only six races into the Grand Prix calendar. Now, the MotoGP caravan heads to Mugello for the Gran Premio d’Italia Brembo, with the competition heating up as Championship frontrunners Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), defending titleholder Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), and eight-time world champion Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) continue their intense battle.
At the Catalan GP, the spotlight wasn’t on a three-way tussle at the front. Instead, it was a showdown between Bagnaia and Martin on Sunday, with Bagnaia rebounding from a crash in the Tissot Sprint to secure victory. With consecutive wins in the last two Italian Grands Prix, including a double triumph last year, all eyes are on Bagnaia as Mugello beckons.
For Martin, the weekend didn’t demand a must-win performance, yet he strategically secured valuable points despite not being the fastest. His pragmatic approach, evident in his willingness to accumulate points even at the expense of missing out on podium finishes, underscores his focus on the long game. With a 39-point lead in the standings, Martin heads to Mugello aiming to assert his dominance, especially on rival turf.
Marquez, on the other hand, is focusing on improving his qualifying performance. Despite charging through the pack to contend for victory in France, his starting positions limited his opportunities at Barcelona, resulting in two podium battles. Nevertheless, Marquez remains a formidable contender in the Championship, and his rivals are wary of his potential if he can secure better grid slots. Mugello, another challenging circuit, offers Marquez an opportunity to make a statement, especially considering it’s where he had to halt his campaign previously due to injury.
Mugello holds significance for the homegrown talents as well. Riders like Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team), Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing), and Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) are eager to shine on familiar turf. With Mugello known as a circuit they understand well, they’re poised to capitalize on their knowledge and deliver strong performances.
Aprilia, also racing on home soil, is determined to challenge Ducati’s dominance. As the paddock buzzes with anticipation about the prospect of an Italian rider on an Italian bike, Aprilia aims to stake its claim. After emotional announcements, riders like Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) and Maverick Viñales seek to showcase their speed and competitiveness at Mugello.
Furthermore, KTM and GASGAS are eager to rebound from a challenging outing at Barcelona and translate their promising form this season into tangible results. Young sensation Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) is determined to bounce back after two consecutive crashes and secure a strong finish at Mugello. Meanwhile, seasoned campaigners like Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) are eager to return to form and make their mark.
Yamaha and Honda, armed with recent testing data from Mugello, aim to leverage their insights to gain an edge in the upcoming race. With teammate rivalries intensifying, riders like Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) and Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) are keen to assert their supremacy and gather vital championship points.
As the anticipation builds for another thrilling chapter in MotoGP history, Mugello promises to deliver yet another unforgettable race. With the closest average gap between the winner and second place in the MotoGP™ era heading into the seventh round, fans can expect nothing short of spectacular action at the Gran Premio d’Italia Brembo.
Don’t miss the excitement:
Saturday
Tissot Sprint: 15:00 (UTC +2)
Sunday
Grand Prix: 14:00 (UTC +2)
Target acquired: Moto2™ field look to hit back at Garcia and Ogura
With just six races under their belt as a Moto2™ squad, the MT Helmets – MSI team has already established themselves as the ones to watch heading into the Gran Premio d’Italia Brembo, following consecutive one-two finishes. Sergio Garcia secured victory in Le Mans, and Ai Ogura responded with a flawless performance in Barcelona, claiming his first win in nearly 18 months. Garcia now leads the championship comfortably, while Ogura sits third as they head to the Tuscan hillsides.
However, two names are eager to mount a comeback: Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) and Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors SpeedUp). Roberts struggled to find his rhythm in Barcelona, finishing eighth, but Mugello holds promise as one of his favored circuits. Aldeguer faces a crucial weekend after a costly crash in the Catalan GP, leaving him 46 points adrift in fourth. A strong result at Mugello could shift momentum in his favor before a brief hiatus.
Meanwhile, podium returnee Jake Dixon (CFMoto Inde Aspar Team) and the homegrown talents aim to leave their mark on Mugello’s storied history. Even at this early stage, the stakes are high in the intermediate class. Tune in at 12:15 local time (UTC +2) on Sunday to catch every lap of the action!
Moto3™: can anyone stop Alonso?
Colombian racer David Alonso (CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team) arrives at the illustrious Mugello circuit in formidable form, having clinched victory in Barcelona to reclaim the lead of the Moto3™ World Championship. The 18-year-old prodigy has impressively topped 18 out of 20 lightweight class sessions, and his string of eight Grand Prix triumphs extends back to the British GP in August of last year.
Chasing Alonso is Dani Holgado of Red Bull GASGAS Tech3, now second in the standings. Holgado’s sixth-place finish in Barcelona was tempered by the memory of his victory at Mugello in 2023, where he snatched the win by a mere 0.051 of a second on the final lap of an electrifying race.
In hot pursuit of the championship frontrunners are Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI), both eager to narrow their respective deficits. Veijer, currently 43 points behind Alonso, narrowly missed out on a podium finish in Barcelona for the first time in his career, while Ortola challenged Alonso throughout the race before settling for second place. With a gap of 48 points to close, both riders are poised for a strong fight.
After facing setbacks due to bad luck and illness, Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) returned to form in Barcelona, while David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) continues to impress with his third top-five finish in four races. As the Moto3™ grid takes to the track on Sunday at 11:00 local time (UTC +2), the homegrown talents will be determined to shake up the standings and secure glory on their home turf. Don’t miss the action—it promises to be thrilling!
What’s happening at the #ItalianGP
The podcast will feature CASTROL Honda LCR’s Johann Zarco at 15:05 (UTC +2) on Thursday afternoon.
Following that, the first Press Conference at 16:00 will welcome Championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), and Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™).
Later at 16:35, the second lineup will include Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team), Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), and Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing)
Official MotoGP Press Release
