All eyes are on Marc Marquez as the MotoGP paddock rolls into Germany. The Sachsenring, with its peculiar character and physical layout, is a track where the eight-time World Champion has long been untouchable. But in a season packed with rising stars and shifting dynamics, can anyone finally bring an end to his dominance?
The Sachsenring: A Kingdom Built for Marquez
There’s no other track quite like the Sachsenring. A short, twisty, physically demanding circuit, its layout of seven consecutive left-handers and constant elevation changes is as unconventional as it gets. There’s barely a straight to breathe on, let alone time to reset mentally. And that’s exactly why Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) thrives here.
From 2013 to 2021, Marquez won every MotoGP race held at the Sachsenring—a streak that includes his emotional comeback victory in 2021 following his long injury layoff. For Marquez, this circuit is more than just another round; it’s a statement of supremacy. Heading into the weekend, it’s hard to bet against him.
Target #93: Aiming for Win No. 9 in Germany
Having dazzled fans at Mugello and again at Assen, Marquez now targets the trifecta. With a commanding 68-point lead over his brother Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), the older Marquez has momentum and confidence firmly on his side. Alex, unfortunately, is recovering from a crash at Assen and will need to pass a medical check on Thursday to compete. Still, his podium finish in Germany last year serves as proof of what he’s capable of if he lines up.
Meanwhile, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team)—last year’s race winner at the Sachsenring—will be keen to make up ground in the title race. He hasn’t quite found the consistency to threaten the top spot but remains a threat on Sundays. As for Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), he’s been blisteringly quick in qualifying this year, notching up four pole positions. But so far, his race-day performances haven’t quite matched the promise. Will Germany finally offer the breakthrough he’s been chasing?
Can Bezzecchi or Acosta Deliver a Shock?
Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) turned heads at Assen with a gritty performance that nearly toppled Marquez. He claimed second and tightened the gap to the top four in the standings. Bezzecchi has never stood on a MotoGP podium in Germany, but this could be his best shot yet.
Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team), meanwhile, has been the picture of consistency. His seventh straight top-eight finish came at Assen, and he’s steadily proving that he belongs in the mix. He finished seventh at the Sachsenring last season—can he go better this time and push into podium territory? Standing in his way is Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR), who’s hoping to bounce back with a return to the top ten.
Ahead of both, the intra-team rivalry at Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team continues to simmer. Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Di Giannantonio are locked in a tight battle, separated by just three points in fourth and fifth place overall. Expect sparks to fly.
Viñales Gains Ground, Fernandez Building Momentum
Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) continues to climb the order. Fifth place at Assen was another encouraging result as he chases his first podium with KTM. Just 12 points behind Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) in the standings, Viñales is slowly but surely carving a path toward the front.
Aldeguer, who crashed out last time, should be fit to race in Germany. Meanwhile, Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) has endured a rough patch, most recently retiring in the Netherlands. In contrast, his teammate Raul Fernandez has steadily improved since Le Mans, establishing himself as a consistent top-ten runner. He’ll aim to better his P10 finish from last year’s German Grand Prix.
Between them in the standings is Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), a proven performer at the Sachsenring who’ll be eager to turn raw pace into big points.
Midfield Watch: Yamaha Searching for Race-Day Gains
Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) was the third KTM in the top ten at Assen. While his one-lap speed still needs work, the tight and technical Sachsenring could suit his style and allow him to exploit his racecraft.
Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) is likely to return from injury this weekend, looking to shake off rust and re-establish rhythm. His teammate Joan Mir, on the other hand, endured a crash at Assen and hasn’t replicated the highs of his 2019 rookie season, where he placed seventh in Germany.
Yamaha, too, have plenty of work to do. Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and the Prima Pramac Yamaha duo of Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira have struggled to convert flashes of qualifying brilliance into consistent race results. Grip remains a problem, and Sachsenring’s abrasive surface may not do them any favours.
Thailand’s Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) made history by scoring his and his country’s first MotoGP points at Assen. Unfortunately, he’ll miss the German GP and the following round due to a training injury. A replacement hasn’t yet been confirmed.
The Sachsenring Awaits: Fans, Flags, and Flat-Out Action
The Sachsenring isn’t just another track—it’s the heartbeat of MotoGP in Germany. From chaotic flag-to-flag thrillers to nail-biting final laps, this 3.671km ribbon of asphalt has hosted some unforgettable battles. And with the 2025 season at its midpoint, the stakes are higher than ever.
Qualifying will be crucial, and with tens of thousands of passionate fans packing the hillsides, the atmosphere will be electric. Can anyone dethrone the King of Sachsenring? Or will Marc Marquez once again put on a masterclass in his German fortress?
Make no mistake—Round 11 is poised to deliver fireworks.
Moto2™ Madness: Four Different Winners – Will Germany Deliver a Fifth?
The 2025 Moto2™ season is heating up fast, and as the grid heads to the tight and technical Sachsenring, the big question looms: will Germany give us a fifth different winner in as many rounds?
Recent form suggests the odds are good.
Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) etched his name into the history books at Assen, becoming the first-ever Brazilian rider to win a Moto2 race. In doing so, he beat none other than Aron Canet (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) in a fantastic duel that continued their burgeoning rivalry from the previous round. Their battles have quickly become one of the standout storylines in the intermediate class this year—and it’s only getting more intense.
Moreira’s victory also vaulted him firmly into the championship spotlight. Now, the top three riders in the standings—Manuel Gonzalez, Aron Canet, and Moreira—are covered by just 31 points as we near the halfway stage of the season.
Gonzalez Aims to Strike Back on Home Turf
Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) didn’t win in the Netherlands, but he did what all title contenders must: manage damage and bring home valuable points. His third-place finish at Assen marked his seventh podium of the season, and though his lead over Canet has slimmed to just five points, he’ll be eager to open that gap back up—especially with this weekend being his team’s home Grand Prix.
It’s worth noting that among the top three, it was Moreira who performed best at the Sachsenring last year, finishing an impressive P4 in what was his first-ever Moto2 top five. Clearly, the tricky German track suits his style—and he’ll be one to watch again.
As for Canet, his form has been excellent lately, and while he missed out on the win in the Netherlands, he remains very much in the thick of the title fight. With a strong record on tighter circuits and momentum behind him, don’t count out a redemption ride in Germany.
Dixon on the Rise as Baltus Stumbles
Another big mover after Assen was Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team). The Brit was in need of a strong result, and he delivered just that, carving his way through the field from 11th on the grid to finish a commendable P4. That performance helped him leapfrog Barry Baltus in the standings after the Belgian endured a forgettable weekend, never quite finding his rhythm in the Netherlands.
Dixon, now back inside the top five overall, will be eyeing a deeper push into the lead group. The top four riders at Assen were the same as the top four in the standings, which tells you just how finely poised this title battle is becoming.
Agius Eyes Another Breakthrough for the Home Team
Further down the order—but certainly not out of the conversation—is Senna Agius, the surprise British Grand Prix winner who sits sixth in the championship. Riding for the same Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP team as Gonzalez, Agius will be extra motivated to score big at the team’s home round. A podium would be a welcome return after a quieter Dutch GP, and it could put him right back into contention heading into the summer stretch.
A Wide-Open Field: Who’s Next to Step Up?
It’s been an unpredictable stretch of racing in Moto2, with four different riders standing atop the podium in the last four rounds: Agius, Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Gonzalez, and Moreira. This growing list of winners not only reflects the depth of talent in the field but also raises the thrilling possibility of yet another new name joining the club at the Sachsenring.
Öncü, for instance, has been fast but inconsistent, and he’ll be hoping to recapture the form that earned him victory earlier this season. Others, like Baltus, Albert Arenas, or even rookie standouts like Sergio García, could make their mark if the cards fall just right.
With its short lap, relentless left-handers, and unforgiving layout, the Sachsenring rewards aggression and rhythm—two qualities Moto2 riders possess in abundance. Track position will be crucial, qualifying even more so, and with the title fight tightening every week, expect elbows-out racing from the opening lap.
Will a fifth winner in five races emerge this weekend? Or will one of the main contenders double up and begin to break free from the chasing pack?
All will be revealed in Germany. The only certainty is that Moto2 remains the most unpredictable class on the grid.
Moto3™: Rueda in Command as the Sachsenring Awaits
After a short break from the podium, Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) returned to the top with authority at the Dutch Grand Prix, securing his sixth win of the season in dominant style. It was a performance that reminded the paddock exactly why he’s leading the 2025 title fight—and heading into Sachsenring, Rueda holds a commanding 69-point lead at the top of the standings.
Now, interestingly, the closest rider to him in the championship is none other than his own teammate: Alvaro Carpe.
Carpe has been building a quiet, consistent campaign in Rueda’s shadow. A fourth-place finish at Assen pushed him past fellow Spaniard Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) in the overall standings, with just one pointseparating the two rising stars. Carpe, the top rookie of 2025 so far, has now logged five consecutive top-four finishes, underlining his maturity and potential.
Piqueras, last year’s Rookie of the Year, has struggled to recapture that spark lately. He hasn’t stood on the podium since Jerez, and with Rueda pulling further away, both he and Carpe know they’ll need to start taking big points—and soon—if they want to apply real pressure on the #99.
Muñoz Surging, Tech3 Shines with Perrone’s Breakthrough
Further down the field, another rider enjoying a strong mid-season surge is David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP). The ever-aggressive #64 has notched up three podium finishes in his last five races, climbing to sixth in the standings. With the Sachsenring serving as his team’s home race, there’s every chance Muñoz could deliver another headline result this weekend.
Between him and the top three are two riders looking to bounce back: Joel Kelso (LEVELUP-MTA) and Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team). Both had underwhelming outings at Assen and are eager to reset and reload in Germany. Quiles, especially, will want to recover the early-season momentum that once marked him as a serious podium threat.
While some struggled in the Netherlands, one rookie absolutely soared: Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3). The Argentine surprised the paddock with a composed and clinical ride to grab his first Grand Prix podium. It was a performance full of maturity for a rider so new to the world stage. The question now is: was that a one-off moment of brilliance, or the start of a real charge up the standings?
Honda’s Lead Hope and a Sad Sachsenring Absence
Elsewhere, Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) will be seeking redemption after his Assen race was cut short. The Japanese rider was taken out late in the race through no fault of his own, caught in a crash triggered by Luca Lunetta(SIC58 Squadra Corse) on the penultimate lap. The aftermath was even more unfortunate: Lunetta sustained a fractured right leg and will miss this weekend’s German GP. The Moto3™ community wishes him a full and speedy recovery.
As Honda’s top-ranked rider in the standings, Furusato carries the brand’s hopes into the Sachsenring—and it’s a circuit he knows how to master. He finished P2 here last season, and another podium would go a long way in restoring momentum and confidence for both rider and team.
Is Anyone Going to Stop Rueda’s Rampage?
As the Moto3™ paddock arrives at one of the trickiest and tightest tracks on the calendar, all eyes remain on Rueda. With six wins in 10 rounds, his dominance this year has been clear—but the margins in Moto3™ are always razor-thin. A single misstep at Sachsenring, a track known for its narrow layout and relentless left-handers, could open the door for any number of hungry rivals to pounce.
Carpe and Piqueras have the pace. Muñoz has the fire. Perrone has the momentum. And a whole roster of wildcards—from Quiles to Kelso—are itching to shake up the running order.
Round 11 is set, the Sachsenring awaits, and the Moto3™ title race still has plenty of twists to come.
Will Rueda keep the hammer down, or will Germany be the place where his challengers finally strike back?
Official MotoGP Press Release
